May 6, 2012

At a Community College in Arizona, Interns Survey the Local Economy

In Arizona, Community-College Interns Survey the Local Economy 1

Laura Segall for The Chronicle

Otis Alexander, now a business student at Arizona State U., says Estrella Mountain Community College's internship to survey local companies helped him improve his communication skills.

By Joanna Chau

A recession makes small cities and towns want to retain their businesses and colleges try to equip their students for employment. Estrella Mountain Community College, near Phoenix, is trying to do both at the same time.

Towns and chambers of commerce in the city's western suburbs had long used employees or consultants to survey local businesses on their desire to stay in the area. But as money became tighter, government officials struggled to keep the surveys in their