Launch Local, Inc. Announces $1000 Tuition Bonus Summer Olympics Internship Program

Youngstown, OH, April 27, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Every year, Launch Local, Inc. hosts an educational contest for summer interns. Launch Local annually gets over 1500 resumes from students looking to gain experience in the sports marketing field. After a detailed selection process the Launch team picks the top 10 best candidates for the program. Most student Majors/ minors range from, Sports Marketing/Management, Business/Accounting, Public Relations/Communications and the professional sales/entrepreneurship categories. The student selected will gain valuable "hands on experience". The majority of these students will be getting college course credits for participating in the program. The "top ten" 2015 candidates were selected from the following universities; Pennsylvania State University, Walsh University, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, The Ohio State University, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Westminster College, University of Akron, Kent State University, and Duquesne University.

The Summer Olympic Internship Program is loosely based on the hit reality series, Survivor. Its purpose is to bring together a group of promising interns from a variety of universities in our region, and to help them learn and have fun while they’re doing it. Of course, it’s no easy challenge. At the start of each competition, which takes place on an annual basis, participants are given a checklist of 50 tasks they must learn. They fall into categories of leadership skills, business management, campaign development, data reporting, networking, and marketing and public relations. "The winner of the contest not only gets the $1000 bonus towards tuition but they have the opportunity to make extra income for the summer, make new friends and develop new mentors." stated Launch Local’s Director of Operations Linda Barton.

"Regardless of who wins the $1000 BONUS, the Launch Local team believes all of the students gain a life changing experience, life skills, but most importantly it is a resume builder."

Linda Barton, Director of Operations

Last year’s winner Nik Horniacek, a senior public relations major from Slippery Rock University, recalls the contest to be "the best learning experience" of his life. Nik completed the 6 week summer program and recently started full time with Launch Local in December 2014 once he completed school. He currently is the campaign manager for Launch Local's client The Pittsburgh Pirates.

The challenges the students are given allow them to gain new skills, network with area business owners and enhance and sharpen skills in a variety of areas. "Regardless of who wins the $1000 BONUS, the Launch Local team believes all of the students gain a life changing experience, life skills, but most importantly it is a resume builder." noted Barton.

Launch Local looks forward to see what new talents will arise on the student picks this year.