LR interns wrap up summer of training

200-plus businesses partner with city

Little Rock's intern program, which closed for the summer with professional development sessions Friday at the Chenal Country Club, added two new courses this summer -- college preparation and commerce training.

The sessions closed a summer of working at businesses ranging from insurance companies to nonprofits. Interns, clad in collared white shirts, got their last bit of training in dressing professionally and self-motivation, as well as advice on potential careers.

The city covers the interns' paychecks and workers' compensation insurance with $1.06 million for the Summer Youth Employment Program. More than 200 businesses partner with the city to put Little Rock's youth to work, according to a news release from the city.

Interns make minimum wage and work four days a week, said Dana Dossett, Community Programs director for the city.

Those who were turned down for internships are first in line for the three classes. Applications closed when 1,200 Little Rock residents, ages 16 to 21, submitted their paperwork. Acceptance into the program is on a first-come, first-served basis, Dossett said.

Thirty students can enroll in each of the three courses, Dossett said.

The College Crash Course shows students how to apply for college, resources they can use once they get on campus and how to fill out the Free Application For Student Aid. They must be 18 to 21 and not enrolled in college, Dossett said.

The Commerce Crash Course is for college students and trains them to sell a product, advertise a service and market themselves to potential employers, Dossett said.

The third course began last year and is called Career Crash Course. This is for 16- to 18-year-olds and is designed to teach students how to be good employees.

Dossett said that next year she hopes to add at least one more course. The community participation course would address the details of city government, the importance of voting and volunteering opportunities.

Those who take the courses can sign up to be an intern next summer, Dossett said.

Each of the 650 participants is assigned a mentor. The 14 mentors earn between $10 and $14 per hour. They act as a liaison between work-site leaders and interns, collect time sheets and meet with students as needed, Dossett said.

Mentors must have been a part of the program for at least two years, and the lead mentor has been in the program for seven years. Becoming a mentor allows participants to grow, Dossett said.

"They're not stuck in anything, they're growing," she said.

Many of the students who participate in the program come back for another year, Dossett said.

Jimeria Brown, 17, finished her second year in the program Friday. Last year, she worked at an insurance company.

Brown just graduated from Little Rock Central High School and is going to Henderson State University in the fall. This summer she earned enough money to furnish her dormitory room.

"I put back a lot of money for school," she said.

Dossett said that program officials try to match students with a job that fits their interests.

Brown plans to study nursing at HSU and worked at the Arkansas Diagnostic Center entering patient information into the computer system.

Janecia Collins, 21, said that she wants to work with children or young adults in her career. This summer she worked at Arkansas Baptist College, calling students to help them submit information properly and apply for financial aid.

"Youth brings joy to my life," Collins said.

She attends the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and studies social work.

Dossett said the program helps in the city's youth master plan.

"We're not just a little program," Dossett said. "We're doing serious work here."

Metro on 07/30/2016

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