NC State University’s Rural Works! internship program connects students to rural communities through paid summer internships.
The Rural Works! Internship Program
The Rural Works! Internship Program is affordable for the company and provides competitive pay for the engineering student. An engineering participation stipend is provided to students for employers in rural communities hosting interns in the field of engineering.
The company must agree to pay the intern $15 per hour and NC State University will pay the engineering student an additional $10 per hour, allowing the rural internship employer to attract the top candidates and be competitive with internship programs in larger, more urban areas in the state.
Easy to Participate
Participating in this initiative is a hassle-free process. Get started by submitting an Employer Interest Form before March 31, 2025.
The NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions Regional Manager in your community can assist you, from creating internship descriptions, to developing interview questions and onboarding the intern. They can even help reserve space at one of the NC State-owned facility offices that are located across the state for interviews and meetings, if needed.
Rural Works! is a partnership between the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, the Office of Outreach and Engagement, the College of Engineering and NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions.
Benefits
- Access to a pool of talented NC State University student applicants
- Engineering students can provide immediate assistance with completion of projects
- Have a “first look” at potential full time employees
- Students have provided up to $100,000+ in savings and value for their employers
- Receive ongoing support from your Industry Expansion Solutions Regional Manager and staff at the NC State University Career Development Center in creating and sustaining the position
- Showcase your community as a place to establish careers
- Develop a pathway of talent for your company and community
Empowering Rural Communities
The impact of Rural Works! Internship Program extends far beyond the classroom and internship placements. By the Summer of 2024, NC State University placed 560 Rural Works! interns with organizations in 48 North Carolina counties in a span of five years. By channeling the energy and enthusiasm of talented students into rural areas, the program becomes a catalyst for positive change. Interns engage with local residents, contribute to product innovation, provide fresh ideas, help solve organizational challenges and complete technical projects for the employers.
Employer Requirements
- Your company must be located in or work with a Tier 1 or 2, rural community in North Carolina
- Agree to compensate the engineering intern minimum of $15 per hour for 40 hours a week for 10-12 weeks
- Provide interns with interim and post-internship feedback
- Provide each intern 8 hours of compensated time to participate in community service
The Rural Works! Internship Program supports NC State University’s commitment to social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina.
2025 Timeline | Deadlines
- October – March 31, 2025: Submit Employer Interest Form
- October-March: Work with your Industry Expansion Solutions Regional Manager to write job descriptions and develop interview questions
- April 10, 2025: All hiring must be completed and reported
- May – August: Your Industry Expansion Solutions Regional Manager will follow up with you through the duration of the internship and at the end of the program to receive feedback
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