KIPP Dallas-Fort Worth recognizes importance of internships, organizes successful student alumni summer internship program with community and business partners
In today’s competitive job market, it’s no secret that internships are a critical method for job seekers to set themselves apart. Not only are college internships and other career development activities advantageous for employment, but according to a recent study conducted by Millennial Branding, nearly 90 percent of employers admit that even high school internships are increasing in importance for future career building, as well.
With this in mind, KIPP Dallas-Fort Worth (KIPP DFW) recently launched the first year of its annual Summer Internship Program. KIPP DFW’s alumni support program, KIPP Through College, has partnered with several Dallas businesses to host KIPP DFW alumni and provide a meaningful internship experience to launch them into the competitive set of job seekers.
“Student internships are an invaluable experience that we at KIPP DFW feel very strongly about for our students, but we certainly don’t do all the work for them,” said KIPP Through College Director Dominick DiFalco. “Prospective candidates for the KTC Summer Internship Program undergo a rigorous application process that includes a GPA requirement, professional and personal recommendations, and participation in a year-long career readiness seminar.”
Open to both KIPP DFW college-age alumni and high school alumni no younger than rising juniors, the internship program is designed to provide students with a minimum of four weeks of career development through business and community exposure. Application for the program opened in February. Candidates have since interviewed with various internship site partners and been placed at the most mutually beneficial location, where many will begin working this month.
A full list of internship site partners includes Southwest Airlines, KERA, TedXSMU, Parish Episcopal School; Mission Possible Kids; Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE); Weil, Gotschel & Manges; Dallas Afterschool; Estes, Okon, Thorne & Carr; South Side on Lamar; The Concilio; and Circle of Support.
“KIPP’s commitment and purpose has resonated with me as a Southwest Airlines Employee,” added Robin Dalton, Senior Coordinator of Short Term Staffing at Southwest Airlines, “and I am thrilled that we’re now connected and have the opportunity to partner with KIPP to provide a place where students can ‘land’ and experience a corporate setting, fostering additional professional and personal growth and exploration in a multitude of areas within our great company.”
To learn more about KIPP Through College, please visit http://www.kippdfw.org/school-and-programs/kipp-through-college.
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About KIPP Dallas-Fort Worth
KIPP DFW is part of the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), a national network of 141 free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public charter schools serving more than 50,000 students in 20 states and the District of Columbia. KIPP DFW is currently comprised of two public charter schools serving elementary and middle school students within its charter area of 16 zip codes in the southern Dallas region. With high expectations for students and an extended school day and year, KIPP DFW builds a partnership among parents, students, and teachers that puts learning first. For more information, visit www.kippdfw.org.