Major state funding boost means more Maryland college students can get tech internships

When Vamshi Krishna Ginna started his graduate studies in computer science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), he was searching for an internship that would provide work experience in software development.

He previously worked in product maintenance at a couple of companies in Hyderabad, India, but wanted to pivot to something more creative. He’s learned a lot from his classes at UMBC, but needed job experience. That’s where the Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP) came in.

Launched by the college in 2018, the program provides funds for Maryland tech companies to hire interns from colleges across the state. Now, thanks to an influx of money from the State of Maryland, more students will be able to take advantage of this same internship program.

The $700,000 budget investment, which Gov. Wes Moore allocated through the state Department of Commerce budget with legislators’ approval, will allow UMBC to double the program year’s offerings, starting with internships this summer. Before this funding, which kicks in on July 1, the number of internships averaged 160 per year. Now, 300 internships are expected. This funding, on top of a current base budget of $365,000, will make MTIP a $1 million-a-year program.

Ginna is currently interning at Ardent Privacy, a security software company based at the bwtech@UMBC innovation park in Catonsville. He found the position on the job board website Handshake and has worked with Ardent since the fall 2023 semester. He’s specifically been assisting in the development of a privacy automation tool.

“I had theoretical knowledge for sure, from academics, but this internship helped me to gain hands-on experience,” Ginna told Technical.ly.

Nearly 90% of the participating companies are classified as small businesses with less than 150 employees, according to data collected by UMBC. The employers are based throughout the state, including in Bethesda, College Park and Silver Spring.

This program has two primary goals: To attract and retain tech industry talent in the state and to support small businesses and startups in Maryland. More than 30 colleges and universities have participated, including community colleges. Maryland residents who are attending college out of state are also eligible to take part.  

“It’s a really cool opportunity for the students to participate because many times, when they’re working with these small businesses, they’re able to wear so many hats,” said Jen Spencer Heilman, the program director for workforce initiatives out of UMBC’s career center. “They’re able to interact with the CEO, they’re able to work on larger scale projects. So it’s really a win-win for the companies, as well as the interns.”

Jake Weissmann, the associate vice president for government relations and community affairs at UMBC, helped lead the effort in working with the governor’s office and legislators to secure the funding since his role started in December. This program is a “unique pipeline” to keep tech talent in Maryland, he said.

“An infusion of cash into this program is just a real sign of faith from the governor,” Weissmann said, “and hopefully shows both the opportunity and longevity of the program.”

How students and companies can participate

MTIP has a section of its website dedicated to posting intern positions. It also lists positions on Handshake, where Ginna found the internship at Ardent Privacy. MTIP does not place students itself, but promotes the positions.

The program has hosted a hiring event each spring, and Spencer Heilman said the new funding will enable more of them. The next hiring event is planned for the fall semester.

For companies looking to participate, the process is simple. They need to be a business based in Maryland and hiring an intern in a technology field, including cybersecurity, engineering, manufacturing and IT.

Representatives of the company also need to attend an orientation session. These are typically held twice a month, although employers who cannot attend them may try to schedule an individualized session.

The company also needs to show that the intern will be paid during the semester. MTIP partially reimburses the company after the term has ended, and the increase in funds also means a larger reimbursement for companies involved in the program.

In previous semesters, MTIP was able to provide up to $1,800 per intern. Now, that’s increased to $3,000.

“We’re really excited to be able to support these small businesses in a greater capacity,” Spencer Heilman said, “as well as expand our program to offer this support to more businesses in the region and across the state.”