Funding for Internships

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/19/opinion/funding-for-internships.html

Version 0 of 1.

To the Editor:

Re “Internships Are Not a Privilege,” by Darren Walker (Op-Ed, July 5):

Like Mr. Walker, I benefited hugely from an internship, forming business connections that have grown over decades. For such priceless opportunities to become more accessible, we should leverage the power of social media.

Crowdfunding has proved to be highly successful in raising funds for the arts, medical research and disaster relief, and in helping to pay down college debt for students who volunteer for nonprofit organizations. Why not apply this method to compensating student interns so that they can work unfettered by financial limitations and pursue their dreams?

I would happily contribute to such a campaign, in gratitude for a much-needed boost when I began my career.

JEFFREY H. TONEY

Union, N.J.

The writer is provost and vice president for academic affairs at Kean University.