Five Claflin University students, who competed with over 3,600 other students of color for internships with Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO), successfully completed a ten week internship it was announced this month by SEO’s Chief Executive Officer, William Goodloe.

Mr.Goodloe in a letter to Claflin University President, Dr. Henry N. Tisdale noted that SEO “attracts the highest caliber of students” and the “admissions process is extremely competitive.” He applauded the university’s faculty and the career service office “for successful efforts to develop the characteristics SEO seeks out in student participants.”

The internships are in the area of Accounting, Asset Management, Corporate Law, Global Corporate Financial Leadership, Investment Banking, Information Technology and Philanthropy. Most of the internships are based in New York City at prominent firms; the majority in the financial services industry and take place during the summer

Mr. Goodloe also said he hopes other Claflin University students will apply for internships and suggested they visit SEO’s website at www.seo-usa.org.

SEO, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1963 as one of New York City’s first mentoring programs. The Career Program recruits, trains and places outstanding college students in internships that are designed to lead to full time jobs. The next deadlines for submitting applications is January 22, 2007.

Four of the Claflin University SEO interns will graduate with the Class of 2007. They are Brigette Bain, James Okoronkwo, Jerome, Chadee, and Obinna Nwankwo.  Farai Chitiga graduated in May 2006.