A summer internship is a valuable experience for any college student, Pearce Edwards, a junior political science and history double major said.

Edwards was one of 60 college students from around the nation chosen to participate in the ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program. The internship allowed Edwards the opportunity to work with a non-profit in Dallas. Through ExxonMobil’s sponsorship, Edwards was paid for his work.

“The purpose of the program is for college students to have a meaningful experience with a non-profit organization and hopefully commit themselves to more non-profit work throughout their lives,” Emily Snooks, the ExxonMobil Community Relations Advisor said.  “The program also allows non-profit organizations to receive help though the work of the interns.”

The program chose 60 local  non-profit organizations out of about 300  applicants.Then it was up to the non-profit organizations to screen and hire their intern, Snooks  said.

The interns came from different universities all across the United States. Edwards was an intern for CONTACT Crisis Line, an organization that provided 24-hour free confidential assistance for individuals struggling with life challenges.

During his internship, Edwards worked as a mental health resource coordinator and built and maintained a mental health resource database.

Before interning at CONTACT Edwards did not know much about mental health, he said. Edwards said he knew that mental health problems were very serious and affected many people his own age.

Edwards said he hoped to continue his work with non-profit organizations while in school and after graduation. He recommended applying for the internship because of the real life experience students gain from it for future professional careers.

To find out more about the program and how to apply for the internship, visit http://www.volunteernorthtexas.org/vcnt_programs_student_programs_summer_jobs_program.html.