Summer 2024 Employment Services Intern (IINE Manchester)

The International Institute of New England is a 501(c)(3) non-profit serving refugees and immigrants in Boston, MA, Lowell, MA, and Manchester, NH. The Institute offers internships to students, graduate students, and recent graduates with demonstrated interest or experience in supporting refugee, asylee, and immigrant populations. Each internship includes an educational component, through which interns contextualize their experience and reflect on their service.

All internships are unpaid and correspond roughly with the US semester system:

• Summer Internship: late May/June through August 2024
  (Applications requested by March 31^st, considered thereafter until positions are filled)

First consideration is given to applicants that can commit at least 16 hours per week over the course of the semester outlined above. Applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of whether their schedule fits the semester system; IINE makes exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Slots fill quickly and candidates are encouraged to apply earlier than the requested date above.

Please note that this internship will be a hybrid format, meaning that some in-person hours at our Manchester, NH office are required.

Career Services Internship Overview

IINE’s Career Services program places newly-arrived refugees into their first jobs in the US and assists more established refugees as they take the next step in their career. Students are typically enrolled in the Career Services program when they are enrolled in the Community Services Program and exit once they have a job. Employment specialists track retention at regular intervals and offer a variety of continued support and coaching for the student as they settle into their new job. Interns meet one-on-one with clients to provide additional resume and cover letter writing support, help practice for interviews with potential employers, and to answer questions clients may have once they start new jobs.

Reports to: Case Specialist, Employment Services

Location: Manchester, NH (hybrid format)

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist the team in providing feedback to clients working on resumes, cover letters, and job applications
• Practice mock interviewing with clients applying to jobs
• Check in with clients about their applications and interviews
• Financial literacy and saving info-sessions
• Regularly summarize client accomplishments and feedback for Case Specialist
• Follow-up with clients to assess retention and alert the Career Navigator when clients require further services
• Help the team update the online database with case notes
• Assist the team in contacting local employers and inquire about job openings
• Assist the Career Services team in applying for unemployment benefits for clients
• Refer clients to the necessary resources regarding legal and banking advice
• Conduct outreach with local employers and job opportunities

Qualifications:

• Interest in international, refugee, asylee, and/or immigrant issues
• Patience speaking with non-native English speakers / non-English speakers
• Professionalism, discretion, and maturity in dealing with confidential information
• Experience with US job application process
• Experience editing and formatting, especially resumes and cover letters
• Language skills in Kinyarwanda, Swahili, Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Somali preferred
• Highly organized with great attention to detail
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize and create strong resumes and cover letters
2. Hone editing and formatting skills
3. Successfully navigate the application, interview, and orientation processes typical of recruitment systems used by US employers
4. Identify and access community resources and services, particularly those that cater to the needs of refugees and immigrants.
5. Understand the US Refugee Resettlement program, as well as what part VOLAGs and resettlement agencies like the International Institute of New England play in receiving and integrating refugees.
6. Respectfully express and engage with ideas and values in a multicultural, multilingual environment.