This past week, a group of outstanding college scholars arrived in the nation’s capital to spend part of their summer break immersed in a new world of experience — one that promises to ease their entry into job markets and launch their career paths.

They’ll be working in an array of Congressional offices, corporations and non-profit organizations for six weeks; and their internship experience will be complemented by a full slate of professional development workshops offered by experts from the business community.

Today’s job market is more competitive than ever. For young people without family support, connections and work experience to rely on, good paying skilled jobs are out of reach – and internships are very difficult to secure. The internships OFA facilitates don’t just help these youth get a foot in the door; they offer strong networking opportunities, add prestige and substance to their résumés, and help them become assets in the workforce.

By many accounts, employers stand to gain as much as the young people in their charge. A recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 83 percent of employers reported higher retention rates for those with internship experience. As an HR director who managed OFA interns last summer commented, “We see the human resource pool shrinking every year. It’s a challenge to find and keep good people. These interns are bright and motivated; and if we can get them back after graduation, it’s a win-win for both of us.”

This year’s distinguished roster of internships includes:

* Jazzlynne Allensworth – California State University-Monterey Bay; Interning at the National Association for Education of Young Children

* Passion Anderson –Buffalo State College; interning at Siemens Corporation

* Amanda Babine — Wheelock College; interning at Kidsave

* Kayla Boland — Patton College; interning at the Office of Congressman Robert Aderholt

* Malcolm Brewer – Brooklyn College; interning at The Nature Conservancy

* Alix-Marie Coletta — University of Massachusetts Dartmouth; interning at DC Metropolitan Foster and Adoptive Parent Association

* Andre’ Cooley — University of Southern Mississippi; interning at American Bar Association

* Felicia Fort – Benedict College;interning at Salt River Project

* Darryl Gentry — Fayetteville State University; interning at CASA for Children of DC

* Evan Harris – NC State University; interning at Department of Labor – JobCorp

* Ashley Jackson — Missouri State University; interning at Epiphany Productions

* Serena King — Clark Atlanta University; interning at EWS & Associates

* Sarah Lucas – State University of New York, Geneseo; interning at the Office of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter

* Isha McNeely — Portland State University; interning at Washington Hospital Center

* Justin Meredith — Indiana University – Southeast; interning at Commitee on Education & Labor

* Daniel Muzic — Bluegrass Community & Technical College; interning at American Nurses Association Government Affairs Office

* Brandi Schoel – Texas Women’s College; interning at Reform Institute

* Chan Sok — Brigham Young University; interning at CASA for Children of DC

* Alberto Sosa — State University of New York – Binghamton; interning at Reform Institute

* Danny Sweet-Clyne — Evangel University; interning at Office of Congressman Roy Blunt

For the next five weeks, we’ll be following their progress in Washington and capturing some of their stories, photos, and experiences here on the OFA Blog. Stay tuned!

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 9:18 pm by Orphan Foundation of America and is filed under OFA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.