Pathway to Work Internship - Traditional Program - Overview
Program Summary: The Pathway to Work Internship - Traditional Program is designed to provide a meaningful work experience coupled with coursework in job readiness, career exploration, and financial literacy for teen residents primarily between the ages 16-19 at properties owned by The NHP Foundation (NHPF) or its affiliates. The program is supervised and managed by Operation Pathways but works closely with NHPF's Office of Asset Management and its contracted property management companies.
The interns are employed by the property management companies at the property where they work, and report directly to the resident services coordinator (RSC) assigned to the same. The interns also report to the property manager who will assign their daily work responsibilities. The interns will work 20 hours per week in the property management office either with the maintenance team, the leasing office, or at times the community center depending on the needs of the property. Additionally, the intern will work 4 hours per week with the resident services coordinator receiving coaching, support, and direction on personal and professional development. Their weekly sessions in resident services will consist of coursework in the areas of job readiness, career exploration, goal setting, and financial literacy. This curriculum guide is meant to provide direction to the resident services coordinators in the implementation of 32-hours of lessons in these content areas. This program guide is meant to provide directions to the RSC or their designee in the implementation of this 192-hour professional and experiential work opportunity.
Qualifications: Intern applicants will be selected based on how well they fit the profile of the internship program (see application and interview forms). Interested teens must be residents of the housing community owned by an affiliate of NHPF, have the availability to work for the entire full eight-week program. Additionally, they must have a desire to learn more about career development and housing. Interns must also be currently registered in (or be a recent graduate of) a high school or HiSET/GED program.
In most situations, hiring policies will also require drug testing and a criminal background check. Because the property management company will be the intern's employer, intern applicants must adhere to the management companies' standard employment pre-screening procedures.
Finally, all intern applicants must attend an interview with the resident services coordinator, property manager, and OP regional (if necessary). Final selections will be made based upon successful completion of the application process and a determination made by the resident services coordinator, property manager, and OP regional of the likelihood of the applicant's successful completion of the program.
Overview of Expectations, Objectives, & Outcomes:
The goals and objectives for this program are:
1. Interns will be better prepared for the world of work.
a. Interns will gain knowledge in obtaining employment.
i. Resume writing
ii. Interviewing skills
iii. Researching employment opportunities
b. Interns will gain knowledge in maintaining employment.
i. Positive work behaviors/time and attendance/etiquette
ii. Dealing with conflict/workplace communications
iii. Understanding labor laws
c. Interns will set short-term and long-term career/education goals
i. Participating in personality, talent, and/or skill assessments and learning about their ties to career/educational choices.
ii. Understanding pre-requisites for jobs, careers, and post-secondary options.
iii. Explore education and training options for furthering career goals
2. Interns will be better prepared for the financial responsibilities of life.
a. Interns will gain knowledge in concepts of money and finance.
i. Banking and saving
ii. Credit and lending
iii. Investments and asset building
b. Interns will have a greater sense of the value of money and the role it plays in their current and future lives.
i. Budgeting
ii. Cost comparisons and analysis
iii. Values analysis
iv. Family and money
The expected outputs (deliverables) for the program are each intern will have completed the following:
1. Complete (2) Journal Entries Each Week (16 total)
2. Create a Documented Personal Budget Plan
3. Create a Personal Resume w/ Cover Letter
4. Create a Professional Bio and Headshot
5. Develop and Document Short- and Long-Term Goals - Career, Educational, and Personal
6. Prepare a Presentation Describing their Personal Internship Experience
The expected outcomes (changes in knowledge or behavior) for the program are:
1. 100% of participants will have a checking or savings account.
2. 90% of participants will develop and use a personal budget.
3. 90% of participants will have at least 10% of their take home earnings in a checking or savings account at the end of summer.
4. 90% of participants will explore a career path and set a plan for achieving it.
5. 90% of interns will complete the program successfully.
6. 100% of the interns who complete the program will create a digital professional portfolio that includes the following: 32 journal entries, Sample Budget Document, Resume & Cover Letter, Professional Bio and Headshot, Documented Short- & Long-Term (Career - Educational- Professional) Goals, a Personal Post High School Career Plan of Action, and their Final Presentation.
Franklin Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.