The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation
supports workforce development initiatives of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. In an effort to positively impact the lives of our area youth, the Foundation coordinates youth and employee development opportunities including sponsored scholarships, internship stipends and workforce readiness initiatives, and educates current and future workers about area industries, businesses and organizations.
The application to apply for the Unite for Success High School Internship program will be available here April 2019.
To learn what high school scholarship opportunities are currently available, visit your high school guidance counselor, or contact Kellie at klibert@StCloudAreaChamber.com or (320) 656-3824.
To learn what intership opportunities are currently available for college students, contact Kelti at klorence@StCloudAreaChamber.com or (320) 656-3830.
To learn what college scholarship opportunities are currently available for college students, contact Kellie at klibert@StCloudAreaChamber.com or (320) 656-3824.
Communications & Workforce Development Coordinator Unite for Success Internship Coordinator klorence@StCloudAreaChamber.com (320) 656-3830
Administrative Assistant Unite for Success Scholarship Program Coordinator
Looking for a way to simultaneously make money, gain work experience, and develop your business network connections? Consider applying for the Unite for Success Summer Internship Program! Students will complete an 80 hour internship at a local Chamber member business between June - August. Upon completion of the internship, the Chamber will provide a $550 stipend, an official sealed certificate of completion, and work experience to your resume. Each spring Chamber staff contact local Chamber member businesses to host a summer intern. Because of this format, the businesses we partner with change yearly. If you are currently a local high school student and are interested in interning at a specific business, please contact internship coordinator Kelti Lorence by March. *Note: Don't have access to a car? No problem! The Chamber works in collaboration with Metro Bus to provide student transportation to and from their internship. Training on how to safely use the Metro Bus transit system is available. To see what Chamber member businesses and organizations we are partnering with each summer, visit this page in April. Internship applications are due the first week of May.
1. Visit this website page mid-April to see the list of business mentors for the upcoming summer (you must choose three of the businesses from this list to complete your internship hours with.) 2. Fill out the online application on this website page by the first week in May. One reference letter is required for your application to be considered. 3. Keep an eye on your email the second week of May. You will receive an email requesting to set up an interview at the Chamber office within the following two weeks. You MUST complete an interview to be placed as an intern. 4. You will receive either a confirmation or denial email within one week after interviews are complete. 5. Accepted? Great! Attend the Initial Internship Meeting at the Chamber near the end of May. Here you will meet your mentor business, receive valuable information, create your internship goals and learn what is expected from you during your internship experience. 6. Complete 80 hours at your business between the beginning of June - end of August. Fill out a daily journal entry each day you work, and turn this in to Kelti after your hours are complete. 7. Fill out the online internship evaluation. 8. Pick up your $550 check, and update your work experience on your resume!
Daily Journal Template 2018 Internship Info Brochure Primary Information Needed Reference Form 2018 Timeline Frequently Asked Questions 2018 Internship Business Partners
What knowledge and skills can you apply to the upcoming school year? "My internship has helped me be more confident in trying new things, because then you will find out what you are interested in, and what you don't want to keep pursuing." - Khadra, 2018 intern "I learned I need to work on speaking slower and more clearly, because I felt like the students and my co-workers didn't always understand what I was trying to say." - Yasmin, 2018 intern Now that you have completed your first internship, what are some goals you want to accomplish in your next career experience opportunity? "I will put more thought into asking myself WHY i want to apply to the job. I will be able to think through how it will benefit me, and what requirements the job must have so I will enjoy it." - Khadra, 2018 intern What did you learn about yourself through this experience? "I learned that I actually really love working with kids!" - Yasmin, 2018 intern "I learned I tend to do things very fast, but also that I am very good at remembering details and following along during presentations, and giving input during staff meetings." - Aftina, 2018 intern Live on WJON 1240 Internship coordinator Kelti Lorence sat down with one of the 2018 summer interns, who recently completed her 80-hour internship at the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA. Hear how her experience helped her grow professionally, and will help direct her path professionally.
Each spring, Chamber staff begin their search for member businesses who are interested in hosting a high school intern for an 80 hour paid internship experience. While there is no direct cost to participating businesses and organizations, contributions are accepted to support the internship stipend fund. 100 percent of contributions made are given to the incoming summer interns, or kept for the following summer internship stipends. To learn more about hosting and intern, contributing to the intern stipend fund, or helping a student obtain an internship, contact Kelti Lorence.
Businesses interested in awarding scholarships receive a Personalized Scholarship Outline. Using this form, the business can specify the school(s) where the scholarship should be awarded and the scholarship qualifications. Qualifications can be tailored by the donor company and might include merit, grade point average, community involvement, leadership, need or any other criteria. To learn more about contributing to the "Unite for Success" Scholarship fund, contact Kellie Libert. All contributions are collected through the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and qualify as a charitable donation.