Internship Program
Strada Education Network
Indianapolis, IN, USA
Posted on Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Strada Education Foundation Internship: May-Aug 2024
Are you currently enrolled in a postsecondary education program (an education or training program after completing a diploma or GED)? Are you eager to make a meaningful impact in communities across the nation and gain practical experience at the same time? Join Strada Education Foundation's summer internship program and be part of a national philanthropic organization focused on better connecting education after high school to meaningful employment and economic opportunity in the U.S.
About Strada Education Foundation:
Strada Education Foundation is dedicated to supporting programs, policies, and organizations that foster connections between education and employment, with a focus on helping individuals who have faced significant challenges in accessing postsecondary education or training. Our strategic plan centers on clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordable postsecondary education and training, work-based learning, and employer alignment. We collaborate with various partners, including education and training providers, nonprofits, industry, startups, and public policy entities to create equitable pathways to opportunity.
About the Role:
The Strada summer internship is a paid, 12-week work-based learning experience for individuals a minimum of two years post-high school who are interested in gaining experience in and exposure to the world of social impact (defn: work that directly influences a social good) alongside functional work experiences. Interns will not only gain exposure to the inner workings and administration of a national foundation and contribute meaningfully to work across the organization, but will also gain access to a network of nonprofit and for-profit organizations across the United States that are working toward building a better future for our nation through postsecondary education and training solutions.
This cohort-based internship program will begin May 14, 2024 and conclude August 9, 2024. Interns should be located in Central Indiana for the duration of the internship and must work out of Strada’s Indianapolis, IN headquarters a minimum of three days per week with some travel to our DC office and/or to relevant conferences or convenings during the 12 week program.
Internship Overview:
Duration: 12 weeks beginning Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Hours: Minimum of 30 hours per week
Location: Hybrid/Indianapolis, IN: Interns will be required in-office a minimum of Tuesday – Thursday each week in our Indianapolis, IN headquarters
Travel: Up to 15% travel to our DC office and/or to relevant conferences or convenings
What you'll gain
- Strada’s summer internship is based on three pillars:
- Nonprofit leadership speaker series and lunch and learns
- Industry informational interviews
- Functional and rotational work projects
- Functional competency development
- High impact work projects alongside individuals of varying backgrounds and levels
- Career competency building and workplace readiness
- Quality coaching and mentorship from supervisors, leaders, and colleagues
- Executive leadership exposure with Strada leadership team
- Community networking experiences
Exposure to the Nonprofit, Postsecondary Education and Training, and Workforce Development Sectors
High-Impact Work Experiences
Quality Coaching, Mentorship, and Social Capital Acquisition
In short, interns will walk away with
- a working knowledge of philanthropy, the social impact space, and approaches to achieving system-level change;
- a working knowledge of critical issues and solutions facing the nation’s postsecondary education and training ecosystem;
- foundational workforce experiences in their functional area, including functional and leadership knowledge, skills, and competencies to leverage in future career pathways;
- a strong sense of self and action plan for future career exploration and attainment;
- and an increase in their professional network and network-building capabilities
Qualifications:
- At least two years out of high school and enrolled in a postsecondary education or training program (e.g. enrolled or completed some college, apprenticeship, bootcamp, or other education/training after high school).
- Demonstrated learning agility and eagerness to contribute in a collaborative organization.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
- Track record of attention to detail, time management, critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving.
- Strong technical skills or comfort with learning new technologies. *Note: Proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office platforms a plus, as well as familiarity with Zoom and internal messaging platforms like Slack
- Self-starter capable of independent work while remaining nimble and open to feedback.
- Passionate about supporting equitable opportunities in education and employment.
Where You Will Contribute and Learn:
Each intern will be invited to participate in work across multiple departments or teams and contribute to diverse projects and assignments throughout the duration of the summer internship experience. An intern’s workload will consist of varying assignments aligned to specific pathway offerings as well as a universal intern development program around industry and functional competencies. Internship pathways available include:
Nonprofit Financial Management Assist with financial analysis, budgeting, accounts receivable/payable, investments, and financial reporting to ensure efficient access, allocation, use, and/or tracking of resources. (Think: finance, financial planning and analysis, investments, cash and treasury management, and accounting roles/departments)
Nonprofit Organizational Administration Assist with duties across operational teams, systems, and processes such as strategic annual planning, operational excellence, human resources, legal, information technology, inclusion and belonging, compliance, and/or project management. (Think: Human resources, organizational development, legal, information technology, diversity, equity, and inclusion, strategic planning, board governance, events, and operations roles/departments)
Social Impact: Policy, Advocacy, Programs, and Research
Assist and contribute to projects associated with communications, research, data analysis, advocacy, policy development, program management, grantee engagement, and/or project development and management to influence systems-level change in the postsecondary education and training sector. (Think: research, program management, project management, stakeholder engagement, communications, federal and state policy, government relations, and advocacy roles/departments)
Don't miss this unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience, receive quality mentoring and development, and contribute to Strada Education Foundation's impactful work. Join our dynamic and collaborative team in building equitable pathways to economic opportunity.
Apply before Nov. 26. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Mission and Values Alignment:
Committed to providing equitable pathways to opportunity through PSET, particularly for individuals who have faced significant barriers. Demonstrated alignment with Strada's guiding values, commitment to building a strong and healthy workplace culture, and working in a collaborative environment.
Strategy and Innovation Leadership:
Adept at operationalizing strategy and effectively communicating strategic endeavors within the organization and in external contexts, both verbally and in writing. Particular skill in designing annual plans, monitoring progress, and refining plans as needed. Adaptable with tolerance for ambiguity. Able to problem-solve and navigate varied viewpoints. Capacity to refine efforts based on evidence that change is needed. Ability to lead efforts to visualize and monitor change. Capability to see and support innovative ideas and opportunities across the organization, and to embed innovation within operational plans. Capabilities in taking the perspective of others and adapting an agenda and approach – toward a shared aim - accordingly.
Strategic Problem Solving:
Ability to effectively utilize a hypothesis-driven approach to problem solving, with effective quantitative and communication skills. Ability to take on broad-reaching and sometimes ambiguous questions while working collaboratively and cross-functionally with Strada team members across the organization.
Execution and Operations Leadership:
Ability to translate innovative, strategic ideas into tangible, actionable steps, as well as to effectively monitor progress and partner with others on identifying improvements during implementation to increase the likelihood of successful execution.
DEI Commitment:
Commitment and professional experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within and organization, including incorporating stakeholder perspectives in the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategic efforts.
Relationship Building and Collaborative Capabilities:
Demonstrated ability to cultivate, grow, and manage positive, mutually beneficial relationships at all levels of an organization and with partners outside the organization. Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills—including identifying and working through challenges—underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence. Proven collaborator, able to work with colleagues at all levels in the organization.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to Strada’s organizational vibrancy, employee experience, and mission. Strada is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workplace-certified by Diversity for Social Impact, a strategic professional and organization development company dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion to drive social impact worldwide. We strongly encourage applicants from people of color/the global majority, immigrant, bilingual, and bicultural individuals; people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ and gender nonconforming communities; and people with other diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We believe every member on the team enriches our workplace by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver critical insights and solutions.