COMMONWEAL FOUNDATION
ANNOUNCEMENT: SUMMER 2010 INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Purpose
The Commonweal Foundation’s mission is to support education programs and projects assisting underserved youth. To this end we offer several programs: 1) the Partners in Learning Program serves more than 1,000 children and youth a year in afterschool and summer literacy programs; 2) the Learning Support Program provides small group tutoring for over 100 students a year with learning differences; 3) Pathways to Success awards 1,200 scholarships annually to low income high school students attending faith-based high schools; and 4) the Community Assistance Grants Program awards grants to non-profit youth-serving organizations.
Commonweal’s Summer Internship Program offers high school students an opportunity to learn about the non-profit sector and encourages them to seek careers in education and youth development and to develop a commitment to serving vulnerable youth and children. This program will provide in-depth professional and academic skill building possibilities through working in the various departments of the Foundation, assignments in youth programs, and engaging in a variety of team based activities and individual projects.
Description
The Summer Internship Program is a paid, full time (40 hours per week) program beginning on June 16, 2010 and ends August 6, 2010. The hourly rate is $10.00 to $13.00 per hour (depending on grade in school and experience). Interns will be expected to have living accommodations in the Washington DC region and be able to report to the headquarters of the Commonweal Foundation, located at 10770 Columbia Pike, Suite 150, Silver Spring, Maryland from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm Monday through Friday for the duration of the program. The office is accessible by public transportation (Metro and bus). Each intern will perform duties as required by their assigned departments, community placements working with children, and their participation in foundation-wide projects. Off-site learning excursions and service projects are also part of the internship experience. Interns will be expected to perform duties on an individual basis and in teams, duties that include administrative assignments, conducting research and analysis, writing short memos and reports, reading articles and books and contributing to discussions about the topics covered, working with elementary school children, and others tasks as needed. Minimally, interns should have working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, some experience in giving presentations, and basic research and writing skills. Interns should expect to develop their skills in many areas.
Who Should Apply
This Internship program is open to high school juniors and seniors from 1) Commonweal’s Pathways Partner Schools and 2) high schools in Montgomery County, Maryland who are nominated by Commonweal’s Community Assistance Partners. We are seeking students who are self starters with demonstrated leadership skills, an interest in serving others, and a willingness to work hard. School grades are considered, but are not a critical factor. Successful candidates will have: 1) leadership experience in their home, community or school setting; 2) work, attitude, and behavior that exemplify the values of the Commonweal Foundation (see http://www.cweal.org/about.html); 3) dedication to their education and growth; and 4) an interest in developing a commitment to service.
How to Apply
Submit your application to internship@cweal.org by March 31, 2010. Applications are available here in both Word and Adobe PDF formats. Please call 240-450-0000 if you have any questions about the Summer Internship Program and ask for Marilyn Wu, Summer Internship Coordinator.
Application Process
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and the top applicants will be contacted for an interview by mid-April and these will be conducted at our office or by phone. The finalists will be notified by the end of April. Acceptance into the internship program will be determined by returning the required forms in a timely manner. All interns will undergo a drug screening, criminal background check, and personal reference check.
Instructions for Completing the Internship Application
- Read the ANNOUNCEMENT describing the Summer Internship Program.
- Obtain an electronic version of the APPLICATION (in MS Word or PDF), from your school official (representing the Pathways to Success Program or the Commonweal Foundation), community representative or here.
- Complete the 3-page application. Answer all questions.
- Print a paper copy of the SIGNATURE PAGE, sign and send by mail to the Commonweal Foundation at the address below.
- Submit all documents in one email. Be sure that the following documents are included:
- Application – all 3 pages (Please name this document: “Last name.First name Application.doc”)
- Writing Sample (Please name this document: “Last name.First name Writing Sample.doc”)
- Optional Resume (Please name this document: “Last name.First name Resume.doc”)
- Any additional material about you that you would like to submit, e.g., newspaper articles about work or projects you’ve organized, articles you’ve written, awards received, etc. and be sure to include your name in the document name.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS IS: |
Download application in Word format (Word XP, 2003, 2007 Compatible)
Download application in Adobe PDF format (Adobe Reader 7.0 or higher required)
SUBMIT APPLICATION BY EMAIL TO: internship@cweal.org
MAIL SIGNATURE PAGE TO:
Marilyn Wu
Summer Internship Program
Commonweal Foundation
10770 Columbia Pike, Suite 150
Silver Spring, MD 20901