Charlotte, NC – More than a dozen UNC Charlotte students are gaining career-defining experience through the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program this summer, a statewide initiative funded by the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation. The program is managed by the UNC Charlotte Career Center team and matches undergraduate students’ academic and professional goals with civic, government, and nonprofit organizations that are seeking interns. Interns serve in roles that span across engineering, public health, marketing, data analytics, education, and nonprofit operations.
The program reflects SECU’s long-standing commitment of workforce development, educational equity, and community engagement throughout the State and UNC System. Open to Charlotte students from all majors, the program provides access to meaningful experiential learning opportunities—especially for students who cannot afford to participate in internships that would otherwise be unpaid.
Each student completes a structured 8–10 week internship, where they gain experience in areas such as youth education, social media management, archival preservation, AI chatbot development, and infrastructure planning. Host sites this year include the City of Statesville, Champion House of Care, Pivot Point Analytics, Mercy Heritage Center, and the International House of Charlotte.
Intern Bruno Salvi, a civil engineering major says, “my SECU internship helped me understand how engineers collaborate on citywide infrastructure projects. It also connected me with a mentor who works in motorsports, which is my dream field.”
The program emphasizes more than just work experience—it also builds critical career competencies in communication, teamwork, professionalism, and leadership. Interns attend preparatory sessions, complete self-reflections, and receive mentorship from both Career Center staff and site supervisors.
Public health student Ayushi Inamdar managed communications for a summer camp, supported operations for a food pantry, and worked directly with underserved youth in her internship. “I expected a desk job. Instead, I helped manage social media, worked with kids, and even helped run a food pantry. The experience confirmed that I want to work with children and strengthened my career path toward occupational therapy, “ she said.
The annual cohorts are selected through a competitive application process coordinated by the Career Center team. All interns receive financial compensation, professional development guidance, and the opportunity to contribute to causes that align with their values.The SECU Public Fellows Internship Program supports UNC Charlotte’s broader mission of preparing and connecting students for life after graduation. Students who participate return to campus more confident in their goals and better prepared for the next step in their career journey.
Full list of participating sites:
Institute for Transportation Research and Education | Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce | International House | The Creative Cornerstone | Career Center | Cabarrus County | Education Foundation | Special Olympics North Carolina | Pivot Point Analytics | City of Statesville Engineering Department | SHARE Charlotte | A.S.P.I.R.E. Inc. | WSIC News | Matthews Area chamber of Commerce | Work Meaningful Foundation | Mercy Archives | Catawba Riverkeeper | City of Charlotte- Tree Canopy | Project One
About the UNC Charlotte Career Center
The Career Center team is committed to providing comprehensive, innovative services and resources for students, alumni, and employers that prepare UNC Charlotte graduates for what’s next in a competitive, global market. Through a focus on early, continuous career and professional preparation, we bridge academic knowledge and professional development. We seek campus and employer partnerships to connect students with meaningful, real-world experiences, leading to success for both UNC Charlotte alumni and the greater Charlotte community.