“We are really excited about this program and the opportunities it will create for both our students and the Kalamazoo community,” says Andrea Page, assistant director of internships.
"Most of the Kalamazoo Literacy Council's innovations over the past 12 years had something to do with a college student having a brilliant idea who wanted to try it out," says Michael Evans, executive director of the Kalamazoo Literacy Council. Committed to hiring three Broncos through the program.
The page has been working for months to connect with employers around the Kalamazoo area and create internship opportunities for the program, which serves nonprofits, minority-owned businesses, small businesses, new startup businesses, and diversity, and equity and focuses on businesses with a strong focus on inclusion. ,
Students will be paid $15 per hour for 20 hours per week during the 12-week program. Unlike other internship programs, they will receive a salary directly from their employer, but the funds themselves will come from Western countries.
"When students are employed directly by a business or organization, it's more meaningful work. They work harder because they feel like they're part of a team," says Page. "And the ability for employers to pay to intern is huge for some of these small businesses and nonprofits that in the past weren't able to host interns because they couldn't afford it."
Students can find Broncos lead internship opportunities through Handshake, Western's job search tool. Dozens of posts are already posted, along with more than 35 Kalamazoo-area businesses and organizations, in addition to the Kalamazoo Literacy Council, including the Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation, Great Lakes PeaceJam, and Public Media Network.
“This is a great opportunity for the employer, but I also think it is important for the college student to be able to truly take on a professional role, receive compensation, and develop an understanding of what it is like to work in this type of environment.” is a wonderful opportunity," Evans says. The internship with their organization will focus on project management and play a lead role in the planning and execution of annual events such as the Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest or the Annual Adult Literacy Research and Training Symposium.
Evans says, “We were very purposeful in finding roles that we felt would be meaningful to us and provided a sense of responsibility and challenge to justify the type of compensation and differentiate their roles from the volunteers we host.” There will be an important level." “At the very least, we'll have some meaningful support. At the most, we'll be able to develop some talent who will be able to run projects in the future – if not for us, then for other organizations.”
Western Broncos is amplifying the impact of its education with LEAD, combining the internship experience with holistic support and educational opportunities.
“This is a holistic program; it is not just about the internship. Students will attend pre-internship workshops and paid professional development throughout the summer, receive mentorship and at the end create a video presentation that they will submit to their portfolio. and share with potential employers," Page says. “We are really excited about this whole program and also giving students a chance to get to know the Kalamazoo community.”
By gaining direct, paid, and on-the-job experience while building their skills and professional networks, students who successfully complete the Broncos LEAD program will be prepared to advance their purpose, enter their chosen field, and serve the workforce and larger community. will contribute.
Evans says, “We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity, as we know this type of support will make a real difference in bringing us the type of expertise we need to develop and maintain our programs. Needed." “We are also very optimistic that this will be successful and hope that this will be something that can be a model for scaling up because our community needs this type of opportunity for our college students… those professionals skills to acquire before graduation."
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