Short-time offer makes big difference - Philadelphia Business Journal:

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But smaller numbers add up to a painfull loss for hundreds of high school studentswho won’t get to participate in a potentially life-changing experience this There’s still time for companies to step up and make a Improving economic opportunity is the best cure for so much of what ails and internships crack open a door that wouldf otherwise be closed to many inner-city youth with potential.
While not every busines can offeran internship, particularly in this those who don’t lose out on a rewardinvg opportunity to make a big difference in someone’sd life while playing a part in helping the At this writing, the chamber expects to offer less than half of the nearlu 1,500 internships created last It’s partner, the , already has prescreened 1,400 internds and expects to have more read by the deadline next week. Many will be turnexd away. The value of internshipsw is most apparent in the lives theyhave changed. A year ago, Aquinm Houston, a George Washington High Schoopl junior withgood grades, was working at McDonald’s on a tracj to become a supervisor.
He thoughtf he might attend communityg collegeafter graduation, but he had no particula r direction. An internship at changed that. Last summer, Houston worked with the insurer’s manager of work force He has continued to workpart time, helpingt to facilitate the work of the Blue IBC’s volunteer corps. His exposure to an officr environment, which included learning about appropriate attire and working in a opened up anew world. “Whejn I first came there, I wasn’t sure what I was goinfg to do,” he said of IBC. 18, has been acceptefd to , where he expects to majotr in business management inthe fall. “Iu had never been in a skyscraper.
I didn’g know how to tie a tie,” he “The experience, it really helped out with my My résumé really looks good now.” For many including Houston, the program provide a first-time office experience. It openes young eyes to standards that have to be met and goals worthworking toward. The cost of the six-week program is $1,600 for an internm who typically works 20 hours per week and attends professionalo development sessions offsiteon Fridays. In the companies have trained interns to help fill in for employeesw on vacation or carved out specia projects that would benefitthe company.
Oftenh mid-level employees get the opportunitg to supervise or mentoran intern, makint it a learning experience for both. Chambert President and CEO Mark Schweiker describedd internsas “genuinely productive.” He addeds that the structure of the programn was popular with employers and the dropofd this year isn’t for lack of but for lack of New companies to the program this year include Deloitte, Parentse Randolph, and Cephalon. Some participants put up the $1,600 to pay for the internzs to work at nonprofit With a deadline at the end of next there are still more companies in the region that could offerean internship.
Those who can step up can call 215-790-3732w or go to www.greaterphilachamber.com to get the ball