NEIGHBORS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (NIP)

The Neighbors Internship Program (NIP) is a rich learning resource for interns and externs, enabling them to partner with the NHS LLC organization in pursuit of our shared DEI objectives and take our mission to the next level. Targeting underrepresented communities of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), the NIP will provide eligible college, undergraduate, and graduate students with meaningful work experience under the direction of an NHS LLC mentor. The NIP is outcomes-based, requiring a project report at the conclusion of the program, further documenting the participants’ growth along their developmental pathway.

NHS LLC is committed to ensuring diversity among our staff and within the professional spheres of our field. Our long-term success and relevance in a changing world rely upon the contributions of a diverse community. One which is poised to Educate, Understand, Accept, and Include in their respective space of belonging. People of color are underrepresented in professional fields like STEM, Service workers, and Craftworkers, Administrative, Sales workers, Technicians, Professionals, First and Mid-Level Officials and Managers, Directors, Senior Level Officials, and Executives. We are primed to develop a comprehensive, overarching internship growth initiative across our community to help bridge the gap between school to hire.

We will bring existing internship growth opportunities from across the community under a common umbrella. We will review baseline participation and outcomes data and develop strategies to improve the program. It is critical that we assess our program design, funding, and recruitment and selection processes, to ensure that this program meets the needs and advances the career aspirations of a diverse pool of participants—especially people of color.

There are a number of internship growth programs that will fall under the NIP umbrella; undergraduate and graduate internships and externships will be included, as will postdoctoral and fellowships and apprenticeships.

A careful analysis of our history and our strengths suggests that we will have the most impact in technology, education, service, craft, administration, sales, technicians, and professionals. The background and work experience of each intern and extern, coupled with the mentor’s objectives, will determine the project opportunities for our NIP participants. The ultimate objective is to involve the participants in real-time NHS LLC community work, utilizing existing and developing skill sets, in partnership with mentors, in pursuit of our mission to Educate, Understand, Accept, and Include.

The NIP program will show a positive impact on BIPOC participants: first, by providing opportunities not previously available and engaging diverse audiences who aren’t currently participating in our programs; and second, by ensuring that all who participate feel welcome, included, and valued. Our partnership with schools, districts, state and national institutions will help us reach many of those audiences, whether face-to-face or through digital media.