For Carin and Roger Ehrenberg, Michigan pride runs deep. As graduates of The University of Michigan, they’ve been longtime supporters of equity, social justice and giving back. 

Most recently, their desire to champion U-M students was channeled into an internship fund for the University of Michigan School of Information. The Ehrenberg Internship Fund will ensure students have equal opportunity to pursue their dream internships without the burden of financial barriers. 

“What we've tried to do is level the playing field,” Roger says. “So students who may not come from privilege have the opportunity to take internships that are the exact thing they want to do but otherwise couldn't because of financial hardship.”

Historically, UMSI’s Career Development Office has been able to support a limited number of students who participate in unpaid or low-paying internships The Ehrenberg fund will allow the CDO to be able to provide a greater number of grants to support more students for many years to come. 

“I think internships often end up becoming your full-time job after graduation, and being able to get exposure to different causes and areas is hugely important,” Roger says. “But the thing is, some of these nonprofit organizations and startups either don’t pay or pay very little, so a student from less privilege can’t really take them.” 

According to data collected by the CDO, 96% of students who pursue internships say their experience made them better prepared for their field of choice, placing internships as the #1 way to forge connections with employers and get hands-on experience. 

“Students would otherwise have to turn down an opportunity they’re passionate about because the funding isn’t there,” says Joanna Kroll, Director of Career Development. “Now, they can say yes to working for social impact and service-based organizations, startups and global organizations that are doing amazing work and providing valuable experiences for students but that are often unable to fund interns. ” 

Carin and Roger have long sought to advocate for students at U-M. Carin is currently a member of the UMSI external advisory board, and the couple has donated to the School of Information before. As proud parents of two Michigan Wolverines with generations of family members sporting maize and blue, they have deep ties to the university. In fact, the couple met on campus while pursuing their degrees. 

As Carin tells it, she was working as a waitress at Rick’s American Cafe, a longtime student hangout bar on campus, when Roger walked  in. It was love at first sight.

“We’ve been together ever since,” she says. “We’d bring our boys to town every weekend when they were old enough. They loved the university and they loved Ann Arbor.” 

As for UMSI, the couple says the school sits at the intersection of information and creativity and feels especially suited to help students pursue the career of their dreams. 

“UMSI is such a small, nurturing community,” Carin says. “I love that SI students can go into any future career they want. It’s both about understanding data and information but it also has a liberal arts feel to it. It keeps you broad.” 

To learn more about career development opportunities available to UMSI students, visit the CDO website here.