MIAMI GARDENS – Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan’s 2012 Summer Youth Internship Program has wrapped up with students touting the program as “a once in a lifetime experience.” From June to August, 22 high school and college students trained as understudies to supervisors, managers and even business presidents in District 1.
“This program gives students the tools needed to thrive and survive in the workplace,” said Commissioner Jordan, who implemented the internship program in 2005. “My goal is to keep a qualified group of young people in District 1 who can help nurture local businesses, while gaining real workplace experience.”
Each internship was a paid position by strategic business partners and lasted for eight to 12 weeks. To enter the program, students were required to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, residency in District 1, be 16-21 years of age, and be able to work 20 to 40 hours per week.
Students were chosen from a pool of more than 200 candidates who had to demonstrate leadership, perseverance and intelligence.
Phillip Nicholas, a Florida Memorial University senior studying Computer Information Science, interned at EAC Consulting, Inc., an engineering firm. “It gave me a wide range of experience with different people who held different responsibilities within the corporation,” Nicholas said. “I had a chance to sharpen my skills which will help me in the future.”
Nefferteria Williams, a Florida A&M University senior, was stationed at Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins. She got an opportunity to see urban planning in action.
* Pictured above is student participants in the Community Service Day project planted greenery at Country Village Park.
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