A number of steps must be taken to arrange and maintain successful leadership internships for youth. Creating a win-win for teens and partners is a major goal. Accordingly, this article supplies you with seven tips. They will help you and the program to start strong and last long.
7 Tips
* Establish clear goals.
Begin by establishing clear cut goals for the program, and never stray from them. Write them down. Then, share the goals with students and target organizations.
* Offer options.
Offer internships during the school year, on weekends, and during the summer. In regards to the latter, arrange paid internships. Also, offer teens the opportunity to intern at different organizations including government agencies, corporations, small businesses, and nonprofits. Ask youth for input concerning the projects.
* Explore the interests of youth.
While some youth know what they want, others do not. However, the Self Directed Search is a user-friendly assessment that measures career interests. The findings are on target.
* Evaluate the readiness of participants.
Prior to placing youth on assignments, evaluate their level of maturity. Delay the assignment if it is a major issue.
* Build solid relationships with partners.
Keep them informed and provide ongoing support. When problems arise, solve them quickly. Equally important, schedule regular site visits to meet with the field supervisors and interns.
* Give consistent feedback.
Conduct formal evaluations to let youth know how they are progressing. Although you will have frequent contact with the field supervisors, also think about creating an online newsletter. It is a fun way to give updates on the program as a whole.
* Allow youth to share their experience.
Bring interns together on a regular basis. Reserve some time to discuss internships, challenges, and opportunities.
As has been noted, a number of factors contribute to building a successful youth leadership program. This article shared some of the most pertinent. Remember, the goal is to create a positive experience that benefits youth and partners.
