Rebecca Ruck of Pinehurst, a rising senior majoring in international studies at UNC Chapel Hill, has accepted the Bilateral State Partnership Pro-gram internship with the Depart-ment of Crime Control and Public Safety's N.C. National Guard in Raleigh.

Now in its 39th year, the N.C. State Government Internship Program is coordinated by the Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office in the Department of Administration.

"There is no better way to learn a job than by doing it, and these outstanding students will be provided a wide range of challenging jobs across state government this summer," said Gov. Beverly Perdue said. "The interns will gain real-world job skills that will give them an edge in the competitive job market and, I hope, a strong desire to seek a public service career."

This year, 714 students from 82 counties and 120 post-secondary institutions applied for internships, a significant jump from 586 applications in 2008. Through a competitive selection process overseen by the N.C. Internship Council, 100 students were selected to work in 21 departments and 45 divisions of state government.

Ruck, daughter of Dr. David Ruck and Dora Ruck, of Pinehurst, is a Class of 2006 Pinecrest High School IB diploma recipient.

She is the granddaughter of Dorothy Blackard, of Linden.

Interns were honored at a reception at the governor's mansion Tuesday, July 14.