UGA internship program reveals opportunity in students’ rural hometowns

Nine local University of Georgia students are learning more about career and networking opportunities in Dublin-Laurens County thanks to a newly formed internship initiative. 

The Look Ahead Georgia program aims to show UGA students from rural communities that they don’t have to leave their hometowns to find successful careers. The program is coordinated with the university’s Archway Partnership. The students reported to work with their host employers for the eight-week session on June 1. 

“Our main purpose is to expose young people to opportunities in their home communities, to develop a rural workforce pipeline and see life as an adult in their hometowns,” said Jeffrey Burke, Look Ahead Georgia program coordinator. “What we hear the most is that people are excited when they get into UGA, they move to Athens and they hardly come back. We’re trying to break that trend, and get students back home to work locally.” 

The Look Ahead program launched in 2024 in Pulaski County with just four students. Last year it expanded into Laurens County with 10 students. This year 36 student interns are working across six communities. UGA received $3 million from the U.S. Department of Labor to fund the program. The interns earn a $5,000 stipend for their work. There is no cost for the partner employers. 

Alex Aria, a marketing and accounting major at UGA, was a part of first group of interns last year. He’s returning this summer to work with Symphona, a public accounting firm. Aria said he is eager to see how smaller firms operate and how they serve their clients. 

“I want to learn more on the accounting side and what local businesses are doing here in Dublin as compared to larger companies like in Atlanta or Athens,” he said. 

Other participants are: Rebecca Brantley, interning with the City of Dublin; Ava Bell Craft, with Curry Companies; Zaylen Boston, with Curry Maffett Insurance; Ella Johnson, who was placed with the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center; Emma Summer, intern for the Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce; Tristen Ellis, with Fairview Park Hospital; Madelynn Rayner, working with Gayco Healthcare; and Will Brown, with Oconee EMC. 

The University of Georgia also houses local interns with its cooperative extension office and the Georgia Department of Transportation. 

Ava Craft, a rising sophomore at UGA, is studying exercise science but working with Curry Companies, which she hopes will expand her knowledge and professional network. 

“This will help me venture out and try something new,” she said. “I’m excited to learn how leaders of the company built the business. Curry’s an old company, it’s been here since 1902, so they must be doing something right.”

The internship comes with a civic engagement obligation as well, explained Valerie Dixon, the Dublin-Laurens County Archway professional. She said each student will be required to attend local government meetings and civic organization events, as well as take part in a day of service. 

“It really opens their eyes on how to build those relationships in your community that are so, so important,” she said. 

Both Dixon and Burke expect to see continued growth in the Look Ahead Georgia program. With additional funding on tap from the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, a rural workforce development group, the program is expected to grow to 40 to 50 students next year.