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Bridging Disciplines Programs Opportunities

Sharing connecting experience opportunities with BDP students.

Social Inequality Health & Policy

, Filed Under: Internship

Spring 2015 Internships Available with Caritas

Mission Statement: Caritas provides a service continuum for those experiencing poverty that begins with a safety net and links them to resources to achieve self-sufficiency.

Internship Title: Employment Guide

Responsibilities/Projects: Caritas of Austin’s Employment Program serves persons making the transition out of poverty by assisting them with gaining employment. The Employment Guide may assist refugees, low-income family members, veterans, or disabled persons who have experienced homelessness.
The Employment Guide Intern supports the client with job search activities or projects, under the guidance of an Employment Specialist. The Employment Guide may develop new skills in assisting Caritas clients in seeking employment and financial stability. Duties and responsibilities may include the following:

  • Serve as a guide and resource to the client engaged in the job-seeking process.
  • Coach the refugees in employment language utilized in the United States.
  • Assist refugees with limited English skills in completing job applications.
  • Accompany refugees in applying for Social Security, shopping, accessing health care, and other

    acculturation activities.

  • Model appropriate dress for meeting prospective employers. (no jeans, t-shirts, or sneakers)
  • Submit on-line applications or coach clients in the procedure.
  • Accompany women to Dress for Success appointments.
  • Practice public transportation skills to new job sites.
  • Conduct mock interviews to provide practice for the job applicant.
  • Inform Caritas Employment Specialist about the client skill development in the job-search

    process.

  • Complete volunteer timesheets, due at the end of each month to the Employment Specialist.
  • Other duties, as agreed upon with the Employment Specialist

Qualifications:

  • Ability to work independently, under the direction of the Employment Specialist.
  • Project driven and see projects through to completion.
  • Willingness to work with people who possess little to no English skills.
  • Friendly, but always mindful that relationships must be professional, not personal.
  • Patient, communicating with cross-cultural sensitivity.

Language Requirement: There is no language requirement for this position although students with a working knowledge of our client languages are strongly encouraged to apply. These languages include but are not limited to: Swahili, Spanish, Nepali, Burmese, French, Tigrigna, Amharic and Arabic.

Working Conditions: Interns will be working in standard office conditions and may be asked to work with clients in community and employment related settings as needed.

On-Site Supervisor/Mentor:

Maritza Rosario
Employment Program Manager Caritas of Austin
611 Neches Street
Austin, TX 78767-1947
(512) 479-4610 x145 mrosario@caritasofaustin.org

Mentorship Plan: Interns will be required to attend Caritas of Austin’s Direct Service Volunteer training where they will learn about working one on one with clients, confidentiality, and other service provision information. Each intern will be overseen by the Program Manager as well as an Employment Specialist. The Employment Specialist will serve as a mentor and will manage the intern on a day to day basis. The intern will shadow the Employment Specialist, receive training, and observe client meetings before taking on clients of their own. The intern will also be required to attend departmental and all staff meetings.

Preparation: Interns are not required to do any reading before beginning their internship. Below are some recommended resources that he/she may investigate more about what Caritas does and the process of Employment:

  • Caritas of Austin www.caritasofaustin.org
  • Read Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich
  • International Office of Migration http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home.html
  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home
  • Cultural Orientation Resource Center http://www.culturalorientation.net/
  • Movie God Grew Tired of Us

To Apply: 

Students interested should send their resume as soon as possible to Houmma Garba at  hgarba@caritasofaustin.org

, Filed Under: Internship

Spring Internships with Children’s Defense Fund

CDF Description:

The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) is a non-profit child advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly for more than 40 years to ensure a level playing field for all children. We champion policies and programs that lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure their access to health care, quality education and a moral and spiritual foundation. Supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations, CDF advocates nationwide on behalf of children to ensure children are always a priority. CDF-TX has offices in Houston, Austin, and the Rio Grande Valley.

Job Description:

CDF is currently hiring policy interns based for the Austin office, who will provides general support for the CDF-TX Policy Department. The intern provides substantive research, compiles reports, monitors interim legislative committees and helps with the execution of advocacy-related activities, including advocate training/recruitment, story collection, public education, legislator visits, legislative briefings and other Department projects.

Generally 15 hrs/wk during the school year. Candidates may apply for Fall, Spring, Summer, or Full-Year internship.

The CDF Houston office is also currently hiring interns for the Communications, Development, and Outreach departments.

Qualifications:

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Volunteer advocate outreach and recruitment
  • Policy research, briefs and training material
  • Conducts research on public policy, media trends and other subjects as needed
  • Assists in the development and execution of special projects
  • Perform other division, department, and organization-wide special projects as needed and assigned
  • Assist in maintaining CDFʼs social media platforms
  • Evenings and occasional weekend activity is required, consistent with policy support for a leading national not-for-profit organization

Job Requirements:

  • Ability to work effectively and calmly in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and ability to multi-task
  • Strong organizational and execution skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Commitment to social advocacy and CDFʼs mission to be a voice for all children
  • Ability to organize facts and present issues in a clear, concise and logical manner, both orally and in writing
  • Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact diplomatically and professionally with CDF staff and external partners/contacts
  • Strong computer, Internet and research skills

How to apply

To apply, candidates should email a one-page cover letter describing their interest and qualifications and a resume to: cdftexas@childrensdefense.org andlguerracardus@childrensdefense.org and type POLICY INTERN in the subject line.

Start date

January 10, 2015
End date
May 10, 2015
Application deadline
December 31, 2014

, Filed Under: Employment Opportunity, Internship

UT’s Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life Seeks Student Technician

The Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life, an organized research unit in the Moody College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin, seeks a 10‐19 hours/week student technician.

The Annette Strauss Institute’s mission is to understand and overcome the obstacles to civic  engagement through research, education, and training. The student tech will help support the  Institute’s public engagement trainings, educational outreach programs, seminars, and events.

Position Available: Undergraduate or graduate student technician with the Annette Strauss  Institute for Civic Life
Hours/week: Up to 19 hours/week
Compensation: $12 to $13 per hour, depending on experience
Period of Appointment: ASAP through 1/15/15 with the possibility of continuation through 5/31/2015
Location: Moody College of Communication CMA building, 2504A Whitis Avenue, Suite 7.146
Duties:
1. Clerical Assistance. Provide administrative support of the Institute’s public engagement
trainings, educational outreach programs, seminars, and events.
2. Event Planning. Assist with special event planning, event preparation, and execution; and,
3. Other Duties. Assist staff on various other projects and/or research for the Institute, as
needed and directed.

Qualifications:
‐ Outstanding written and verbal communications skills, including writing to deadline and for a
variety of audiences.
‐ An articulated belief in the Strauss Institute mission and an interest in civic life.
‐ Applicants must be personable, well‐organized, resourceful and persistent, and should be able
to take initiative, work with limited supervision, and to provide quick response.
‐ Previous work in an educational, political, or non‐profit setting is a plus, as is demonstrated
experience managing projects.

TO APPLY: Email your resume and a cover letter that explains your interest in the opportunity, in
our mission and how your skills are a match for the position to emily.einsohn@austin.utexas.edu as
soon as possible and no later than November 5, 2014.