Amy Odom, executive director of Business Career Services in the Walker College of Business, was recently featured in a Boone Area Chamber of Commerce podcast, Mind Your Business, discussing how internships help Appalachian State University students gain experience, build professional networks, and achieve their career goals.
Odom said research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers indicates that 62% of students who complete internships received full-time job offers.
"Everyone is looking for the return on investment of their education... and employers are also looking to build their talent pipelines," said Odom. "Across the board, [graduates with internships] are earning higher salaries and reporting greater career satisfaction. It's not just the degree that matters now. It's the professional opportunities and hands-on experiences with employers... Those experiences build stronger resumes, increase confidence and ultimately lead to greater career satisfaction."
A new program at the university, App State Works, will create more opportunities for students to gain that experience close to home while supporting workforce development efforts across Western North Carolina. The program is a collaboration between Business Career Services and the university's Career Development Center.
Odom said App State Works is expanding traditional internship models by combining paid work-based learning experiences with professional development, networking, and community engagement. She emphasized the program's goal of helping students explore career paths earlier in their college experience while enabling employers to build talent pipelines.
Listen to the full episode of Mind Your Business to learn more about App State Works and its impact on students and employers.
App State Works
App State Works connects App State students to local employers through paid internships paired with structured professional development, creating a powerful early‐talent pipeline for the High Country. The first program is planned for Summer 2027. Businesses and other organizations with internship opportunities should contact Business Career Services at this time.
Amy Odom and Mind Your Business Podcast logo
