Posted: Aug 3, 2009

As background, DELVACCA developed the Diversity Corporate Internship Program in 2008 as a joint effort of the Diversity Committee and the Law School Initiative Committee of the Board of Directors.  Using a grant from the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) to help launch the program, DELVACCA was able to subsidize an 8-week summer internship for four local law students, who were placed with corporate legal departments of members companies, including AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Escalon Medical Corp., ING Direct, and Johnson Matthey, Inc.

The purpose of the program is to create a "diversity pipeline" by providing students exposure to in-house practice, information about pathways to in-house careers, substantive legal experience, and the opportunity to develop relationships with potential mentors.  Minority law students from the Delaware Valley were invited to submit applications.  The application process was competitive, requiring transcripts, letters of recommendation and a personal essay, and several rounds of screening by committee members as well as the member companies.  DELVACCA members responded positively to this initiative, sharing feedback about how well the program fit with their corporate diversity initiatives.  Both participating companies and law students reported favorable experiences following the program, and most of the interns maintained a working relationship with their employer after the summer program had concluded.  The response was so overwhelming, DELVACCA committed to continue and independently subsidize the program in 2009.

Similar to last year, DELVACCA will host a reception for all members at the end of the program to honor participants and to provide an end-of-summer gathering for members.  The reception will be held on August 12 at the offices of CIGNA.  To register or get more information about this free event, go to http://delvacca.acc.com.  Students will receive recognition for their completion of the program, and participating companies will also receive recognition for their commitment to diversity and support for this DELVACCA initiative.

The Diversity Committee is currently exploring the development of a non-profit foundation and endowment fund to ensure the continuation of this program for future years.  Look for more information at the end of this year about how your company can become involved with the internship program for the summer of 2010.