Internship Program: Eligibility and Details
Preparation for Success
We strive to change the lives of up-and-coming young professionals from the farmworker community through this life-changing internship experience that will help their educational and professional goals.
Academic education can take you so far; students need related work experience and transferable skills to get a competitive edge. The NMSHSA Internship Program provides real world experience in a professional job setting and networking opportunities.
Mentors can offer guidance, help you develop useful contacts and partnerships, and provide emotional and professional support needed to get a head start in your career. The NMSHSA Internship Program provides mentorship at home, in the workplace, and among peers.
Young leaders demonstrate higher career aspirations, increased self-esteem, and improved educational completion rates — resulting in increased civic engagement and positive impact on their communities. The NMSHSA Internship Program provides opportunities for advocacy, event- planning, public speaking, and project management.
Want to read more about our internship?
Purpose
The Migrant & Seasonal Head Start programs provided the initial building blocks for success when our students were ages 0 to 5, and it is the goal of our summer internship program to provide the last push toward the finish line. The purpose of the NMSHSA Internship Program is to expose migrant students who are currently in college to various career opportunities within Washington, D.C., such as non-profit organizations, federal agencies, and Capitol Hill. During the 7-week program, NMSHSA interns will refine their professionalism, develop peer relationships, strengthen their leadership skills, make professional contacts, and connect with professional mentors.
Program participation is time-consuming and highly demanding, and it will help advance your educational goals with the development of your professional insight, skills and networks. Many of the people you will be interacting with during this internship also come from migrant or seasonal farmworker backgrounds and honor the challenges you have overcome to get where you are. We all extend our open hands of support to help you reach your full potential!
Past Internship Placement Sites:
• Farmworker Justice
• Mexican American Legal & Defense Education Fund (MALDEF)
• National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL)
• Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI)
• National Education Association
• Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP)
• Child Labor Coalition
Program Details
This internship will help you gain real-world job skills, while making an impact in the area to which you are assigned. Networking with professionals who have years of experience and expertise can help you gain a competitive advantage prior to entering the workforce, or advanced studies. This unmatched experience offers first-hand opportunities and challenges of work in Washington, DC. Prepare yourself to lead with a goal to succeed.
Selected participants will receive:
• Work placement within the D.C. area and housing (Housing may include a host family or other appropriate arrangements)
• Great pay and an arrival allowance
• Domestic transportation to and from Washington, D.C.
• Work experience and networking opportunities
• Fun and eye-opening activities
Selected participants must:
• Commit to a minimum of 32 hours a week at their arranged internship site
• Participate in all NMSHSA Internship sponsored activities
• Create one blog entry per week for the NMSHSA Internship, and two post-internship entries
• Attend the NMSHSA Public Policy Forum, orientation, and weekly sessions
• Agree to, and comply with, all policies regarding work performance and personal conduct
Activities
Internship
Students will work at their placement sites for 32 hours per week, work at the NMSHSA office 0-8 hours per week, attend all required evening and weekend networking & social events, contribute in weekly open-forums, actively work on improving their writing skills and compose a minimum of one blog per week, receive professional programming provided by the NMSHSA Internship and its partners, and participate in other commitments as requested. Additionally, interns are encouraged to maintain a daily diary, as well as maintain a positive, can-do attitude. A can-do attitude is very important to the staff of NMSHSA and to the overall success of a student's experience.
Orientation and Tours
Prior to arrival in D.C., selected interns and alumni interns may share a conference call to help with adjustments. After arrival and housing placement, students will receive an orientation and be taken on a whirlwind tour of Washington, D.C.
Weekly Forums
Interns will be required to work at their placement site Monday through Thursday. Fridays are set aside for possible work with NMSHSA, staff meetings, educational forums and discussions. Interns will meet weekly with the Internship Program Director and Internship Site Managers to discuss challenges and learning opportunities with additional training and technical assistance provided as necessary. These sessions provide an ideal environment for interns to share and exchange ideas with their cohort peers and community leaders. Activities with other intern groups may also be provided to offer opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and open-ended dialogue on issues of mutual interest.
Additional Activities
Interns will participate in the National Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Association Public Policy Forum in Washington, D.C.
Housing and Transportation
Housing
It is our best intent to place interns, at no cost to the intern, with a host family in the Washington, D.C. area. Interns are expected to assimilate with their local family, as best they can. Host families agree to provide appropriate sleeping accommodations, basic living necessities, and some meals. Interns will be responsible for their personal expenses, their entertainment, local transportation expenses (Metro, bus) and their personal meals. Additional expenses should be discussed and arranged with host family. If NMSHSA is not able to secure an appropriate host family, alternative and appropriate arrangements will be made. Interns must be flexible with housing arrangements.
Transportation
The NMSHSA will provide round-trip transportation to Washington, D.C. for selected participants. Interns will work with NMSHSA Staff to determine specific details. Local transportation (Metro, bus) will be the responsibility of the intern. Internship Coordinator or host family will assist interns with navigation of the local transportation system.
Eligibility Criteria
• Past enrollment in at least one Head Start Program for Migrant or Seasonal farmworker children– commonly referred to as Migrant and Seasonal Head Start.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Students currently enrolled & working towards their undergraduate degree.
• Completed 90 quarter hours or 60 semester hours by the month of May before the internship.
• Be in good standing at their current institution of higher learning.
• MSHS program must be willing to verify and attest verification of applicants' MSHS program participation.
• MSHS program must be current with their agency dues.
Selection Process
Selection for the NMSHSA Summer Internship Program is based on the following criteria:
• Demonstrated potential and leadership.
• A can-do attitude and willingness to overcome obstacles and learn from experiences.
• A commitment to improve their community.
The selection process is highly competitive. Applicants are encouraged to submit a thorough application that illustrates qualifications, character, and a willingness to take on new challenges. It is very important to consider you "CAN-DO" attitude. We expect ALL participants to have the right mindset, the right attitude, and the willingness to be flexible and teachable.
Applications will be reviewed by a Selection Committee comprised of NMSHSA partners and community leaders. Selected applicants will be contacted by the corresponding deadline to arrange an interview via Zoom.
Learn more about deadlines, important dates, and how to apply, selecting the link below.