The All Stars Project is inviting any willing members of the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce to participate in its nationally acclaimed Development School for Youth (DSY). The school is a tenuous, 10-week afterschool program that connects motivated young children with hands-on experience in the corporate world through a variety of different industries by hosting summer interns.
Every summer, hundreds of high school and college-aged students, ages 16-21, graduate from the DSY and are placed in real-world internships throughout the country. The students, many of whom are getting their first look at the real corporate world, are able to learn valuable skills and lessons in the workforce.
Interns work through rotations over the course of the six-week internship program. Each week, they are introduced to a different aspect of their internship, whether it be sales or accounting, to better help them understand what it is that they want to do in the future.
Many times, young adults aren’t sure of their future career path and with these internships, they are able to establish more clarity.
Businesses such as Axiom Communications, PSE&G, Port Authority, Clara Maass Medical Center and Hartz Mountain have all hosted interns through the DSY program in the past.
While many businesses have participated in the program, there is always more that could be added. Currently, the All Stars Project is seeking particularly companies in the biotech industry, as well as hospitals, though all companies from every industry are welcome to join.
Participating companies must undergo a 90-minute leadership training session to better prepare them for their incoming interns. They are able to meet with companies that have already been in the program to understand the best practices to utilize. It also ensures that everyone is aware that they are still children at the end of the day, navigating themselves in a new environment, prioritizing sympathy. Ultimately, the interns are the ones put first within the program.
Over the past 25 years, All Stars Project has been recognized as a national leader in creating successful paid internship opportunities for the youth. Recently, All Stars entered a groundbreaking partnership with Mayor Eric Johnson for Dallas Works, a public-private initiative to place over 100 youth with internships throughout the Dallas area.
97% of prior sponsors for internships have reported satisfactions with the performance of their interns. Hosting interns allows both the company to grow, while providing the youth with crucial work experience.
“These young people show up ready to learn and perform,” said Dennis Acevedo, Director of Youth Programs at the All Stars Project. “They bring new energy into the workplace, and businesses see real value from hosting them.”
The All Stars Project has over 7,000 alumni nationwide, with the number only continuing to grow. This year, they are expected to have 225 interns nationwide.
In certain instances, interns can even work their way into a permanent role with their employers, to stick with them beyond their apprenticeships. This is not an uncommon occurrence within the program, as many interns have gone on to turn their internships into a job.
The program runs from July 7 to Aug. 15, with interns earning a minimum of $18/hr and working 30-40 hours a week. Companies that sponsor an intern will earn a stipend of $1,250 per intern.
Afterschool workshop hosts are also needed for the fall DSY program, which begins in October. For more information, contact dacevedo@allstars.org.