YouTern... connecting emerging talent with start-ups and entrepreneur-driven companies, through internships

Hi, I’m Mark Babbitt, the CEO of eJobbz, the company that brings you YouTern. I want to tell you about YouTern, and provide a little background on why we’ve created an online community that connects college students and graduates with entrepreneurial-driven companies through internships.

In addition to my company role, I am the proud parent of five children. From the oldest to now the youngest, I’ve told them the same thing my parents told me, and maybe what your parents told you: study hard, play hard, get good grades and excel at whatever you choose to be – and a job would be waiting for you.

Our new economy has broken this promise – presenting a challenge to young talent not seen in decades.

The rules have changed.

Jobs are not just waiting for you. You now have to earn your opportunities. You must carefully plan each step in your career path.

And you will, by recognizing how some of these rule changes benefit you:

Those entering the workforce no longer have to start at the “bottom” – corporate ladders aren’t mandatory
More than ever, your input and passion will be highly regarded by an employer – you are “Gen Y”
In this new economy, you set your career path – you have a choice

My colleagues and I developed YouTern with these new rules in mind.

YouTern provides students, graduates, employers and career centers a choice when setting career paths. Rather than that summer-long coffee and copies dash prevalent under the “old” rules, you can choose the
YouTern opportunity: making a difference while working directly with entrepreneurial leaders in today’s inspired start-ups.

More than any other, a YouTern internship leads to a sense of contribution, confidence, and employment. Can an internship help you?

90% of direct-from-college hires will go to those with internship experience on their resume
Employers extend job offers to approximately 70% of their interns
Just 14% of 2009 college seniors who hadn't been interns had jobs waiting for them at graduation

The rules have changed.

YouTern helps you understand the new rules, adapt to the new economy, and gain a much-needed edge. Combined with our matching technologies, the in-depth profiles, and the easy-to-use Web 2.0 interface – leading edge features I haven’t seen in my ten years in the online recruiting industry – YouTern serves as the foundation of your imminent success.

I want to personally welcome you to YouTern. Take a look around. When you have the chance, take a moment to send an email to me to tell me what most interests you; what you like. And most certainly, let me know what you don’t like. We’ll use your input to constantly improve YouTern and make our site more valuable, to you.