Open House Opens Doors to Summer Internships

CITC is now recruiting for its annual Youth Employment Program Summer Internship

Kris Stuyvesant, center, talks about her experience with the Youth Employment Program’s Summer Internship as fellow former intern Mia Torres-Smith, left, and CITC Youth Services Manager Meg Mielke, right, look on.

Bertha Nunn, 20, just interviewed for her first job—but just in case that gig doesn’t work out, she dropped by the Youth Employment Program (YEP)’s Open House on March 29 to learn about summer internships.

Twelve families attended the event, which was hosted by three former YEP interns who are now full-time, permanent CITC employees. Mia Torres-Smith, Geron Yamat, and Kris Stuyvesant shared their own internship experiences, answered questions, and helped get prospective interns signed up for the summer session.

Meg Mielke, CITC Youth Services manager, was on hand, as well, to field questions and provide additional information about the internship opportunity.

“This was the first time we’ve been able to do this Open House in person in a few years. It was a great opportunity for youth to learn about the internship experience straight from people who had completed internships themselves,” Meg said.

Geron, who interned throughout high school with CITC’s Nahtsahda Child Care Center and who is now employed as a CITC child care aide, described experiencing full days with lots of activity during his internship.

Geron Yamat, Mia Torres-Smith, Kris Stuyvesant, and Meg Mielke hosted an Open House for youth and their families to learn more about the YEP Summer Internship Program.

“It was really fun to work with kids while their parents received services at CITC,” he shared with the youth who came to the Open House. “The most difficult thing for me was coming home really tired at the end of the day! But [the internship] really helped prepare me for my job.”

The YEP Summer Internship is a 10- to 12-week paid opportunity for young people ages 14 – 24; it provides them with work experience while also offering support in the form of job training, resume development, funds for work-related items, and connection to a CITC case worker. Summer youth interns also enjoy social and cultural activities.

After a brief training period, interns are placed either within CITC or with a community partner. In the past, interns have worked at businesses or organizations like the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Denali Dreams Soap Company, Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Alaska Seeds of Change, Trailside Discovery Camp, and Snow City Café, in a variety of positions.

For Bertha, a summer internship with YEP is appealing because of the ongoing support interns receive during their experience.

“Learning how to do a resume and apply for jobs—that’s why I wanted to come today,” she said. “I want to learn about the different programs CITC has, too, and maybe even make some friends through the internship.”

There’s still time to apply for a YEP Summer Internship! Applications are due April 7 and can be filled out online; simply navigate to myCITC, log in, then search under “Program Search” for youth internships. You can also drop by CITC to pick up a paper application or get assistance in our Welcome Center. For additional information about the internship, contact Meg Mielke at (907) 793-3318 or mamielke@citci.org.

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