SMALL BUSINESS : Smart investment:

Internships most often are found at large corporations that have the personnel and resources to coordinate such programs. But smaller companies stand to benefit just as much--if not more--from the inexpensive yet competent labor that college students can provide.

So the Orange County Venture Network, a nonprofit organization that aims to match entrepreneurs with capital, has started an internship program serving small and mid-size businesses. The group compiles lists of employers looking for interns, then provides those names to UCI, Cal State Fullerton, Pepperdine University, the Claremont Graduate School and the USC School of Business Administration.

“We ask the companies to give students more than just clerical jobs--but, rather, jobs that have some sort of academic value so the students can learn something,” said Costa Mesa lawyer Raymond M. Bukaty, director of the internship program. “Students can earn either a salary or college credit. Cal State Fullerton, for instance, will give credit for an internship.”

Bukaty said the program has placed six students so far.

“Internships are a great benefit to companies because college students are capable of doing quite a bit of important work,” he said.

For more information, call Bukaty at (714) 433-2627.