- Semester-long internships give students career experience working directly with Cigna employees to develop web and mobile programming.
- Paid participants intern 20-hours-a-week at new on-campus Cigna Innovation Lab.
- Program piloted at Eastern Connecticut State University in 2011 and resulted in the hiring of four students for full-time positions
BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cigna (NYSE: CI) announced today that it is teaming up with the University of Connecticut to expand its On-campus Developers Internship Program for computer science and engineering students. The initiative gives qualified junior and senior-year college students valuable career experience working directly with Cigna employees to develop web and mobile programming applications. Located at the new Cigna Innovation Lab at the University of Connecticut, the semester-long internship program is designed to identify quality talent for future employment with Cigna as associates in its Technology Early Career Development Program (TECDP).
“We see this program as giving talented students a first step on route to a long and successful career in technology,” said Mark Boxer, Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President of Cigna, who is also a graduate, advisor and adjunct faculty member at the University of Connecticut. “I’m excited about how quickly we’ve launched this effort, and by the caliber of the students who we have recruited to join the program. The internship fosters significant opportunities for local computer science and engineering students to tackle real-world challenges in our business. This program also helps advance our hiring of local talent into the Connecticut economy.”
In January, Cigna worked with University of Connecticut officials to encourage qualified computer science and engineering students to apply for the semester-long internship program. Members of Cigna’s Customer Solutions Group interviewed more than 50 students and the 10 selected participants attended an orientation at Cigna’s corporate headquarters in Bloomfield, where they were introduced to their employee supervisors. The paid participants have since started working 20-hours-a-week on web and mobile content management, back end support services and enterprise services projects in the Cigna Innovation Lab.
“Many of our students are interested in internship programs to gain relevant professional experience and to gain an edge when competing for jobs, but are unable to navigate the logistics of traveling from campus to companies between classes,” said Mun Choi, Ph.D., professor and dean of engineering at the University of Connecticut. “Our unique partnership with Cigna provides students with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to participate in an exciting and educational internship right on campus. In today’s difficult job market, the bonus of possible future employment with a major locally based health care provider is very compelling.”
The Cigna Innovation Lab is located in the campus’ Information Technology Engineering (ITE) building, which is home to its Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science & Engineering departments.
“It is very exciting to be a part of a program that gives me hands-on training and experience that prepares me for the future,” said Brittany DePoi, a Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science & Engineering double major from Brookfield, CT who was selected to participate. “So far I have gained invaluable experience by working on several interesting and innovative projects with a group of peers and Cigna supervisors. By working with this group of people I have been able to build relationships that will be extremely helpful as I move forward with my career goals.”
The Cigna On-campus Developers Internship Program started in September 2011 at Eastern Connecticut State University. Since its launch, four participants have been hired for full-time positions at Cigna upon graduating. Cigna expects to double the size of the programs at both the University of Connecticut and Eastern Connecticut State University in the next two years, and is exploring similar partnership with colleges and universities in other Cigna markets.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits, and other related products including group disability, life, and accident coverage. Cigna has sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, with approximately 70 million customer relationships throughout the world.
The Cigna Companies are equal opportunity employers. Most employees are employed by operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
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CONTACT:
Cigna
Joe Mondy, 860-226-5499
[email protected]
or
UConn
Michael Kirk, 860-486-0715
[email protected]
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