D2L Internship Programs

Overview: The D2L (Dream to Lead) College Internship Program is designed to provide college students between the ages of 17 and 24 with valuable professional experience while contributing to D2L’s mission of empowering youth through S.T.E.A.M.S. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Sports). This program offers students the opportunity to earn up to 40 hours of internship volunteer work per semester by engaging in meaningful projects, developing critical skills, and holding positions that support D2L’s programming.

Program Goals:

• To provide hands-on experience in youth development, leadership, nonprofit management, and community engagement.
• To equip students with transferable skills that will benefit them in their future careers.
• To foster a sense of social responsibility and community involvement among college students.
• To support the mission of D2L by contributing to mentorship, event planning, marketing, and program development.

Skills Gained:

Interns participating in the D2L Internship Program will develop a wide range of skills, including but not limited to:

• Leadership and Mentorship: Working directly with youth and guiding them through leadership activities and S.T.E.A.M.S. programs.
• Event Planning and Management: Assisting with the organization and execution of community events, fundraising initiatives, and workshops.
• Marketing and Social Media: Supporting the promotion of D2L’s mission and activities through digital content creation, social media management, and marketing strategies.
• Project Management: Coordinating tasks and timelines to ensure successful program implementation and event execution.
• Nonprofit Operations: Gaining insights into the operations of a nonprofit organization, including program development, donor engagement, and community partnerships.
• Communication and Public Speaking: Strengthening interpersonal skills by engaging with diverse groups, including youth participants, donors, and corporate sponsors.
• Fundraising and Donor Relations: Learning how to create fundraising campaigns, manage donor communications, and support fundraising events.

Available Internship Positions:

1. Mentorship Coordinator Intern

   • Responsibilities:
     • Assist in coordinating group mentorship activities for youth aged 11-18.
     • Support the individual mentoring program for young adults aged 18-24.
     • Assist in matching mentors with youth participants based on skills, interests, and goals.
   • Skills Developed: Leadership, communication, youth development, organization.

2. Event Planning Intern

   • Responsibilities:
     • Assist in the planning and execution of D2L events, including seasonal camps, leadership workshops, and community outreach activities.
     • Help coordinate logistics for events, such as vendor management, scheduling, and volunteer coordination.
     • Support event promotion and marketing.
   • Skills Developed: Event planning, project management, marketing, communication.

3. Social Media and Marketing Intern

   • Responsibilities:
     • Assist in managing D2L’s social media platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.).
     • Create content that promotes D2L’s programs, events, and initiatives.
     • Develop social media campaigns to increase engagement and raise awareness about D2L’s mission.
     • Support email marketing and outreach efforts.
   • Skills Developed: Content creation, social media management, branding, digital marketing.

4. Program Development Intern

   • Responsibilities:
     • Assist with the development and enhancement of D2L’s mentorship, leadership, and educational programs.
     • Conduct research on youth development and S.T.E.A.M.S. education to support program improvement.
     • Help design curriculum, activities, and workshops for various age groups.
   • Skills Developed: Research, curriculum development, education, program management.

5. Fundraising and Donor Relations Intern

   • Responsibilities:
     • Assist in creating and executing fundraising campaigns to support D2L’s initiatives.
     • Help manage donor communications and maintain the donor database.
     • Support the planning of fundraising events and assist with grant writing efforts.
   • Skills Developed: Fundraising, relationship management, communication, donor relations.

6. Community Engagement and Outreach Intern

   • Responsibilities:
     • Assist in building relationships with community organizations, local schools, and corporate sponsors.
     • Support outreach efforts to recruit volunteers, mentors, and program participants.
     • Help organize community service projects and engage youth in meaningful service opportunities.
   • Skills Developed: Public relations, community engagement, networking, partnership building.

Program Structure:

• Time Commitment:
  Interns will work a minimum of 40 hours per semester, which can be divided into flexible weekly shifts that accommodate academic schedules.

• Mentorship:
  Each intern will be paired with a mentor from D2L’s leadership team or advisory board who will guide them throughout the internship, providing support, feedback, and career development advice.

• Training:
  Interns will participate in an orientation session and receive ongoing training to ensure they have the tools and knowledge to succeed in their roles. Workshops on leadership, project management, and nonprofit operations will be offered.

• Evaluation and Feedback:
  At the end of each semester, interns will undergo a formal evaluation to assess their performance and growth. Interns will also have the opportunity to provide feedback on the program to ensure continuous improvement.

• Certification of Completion:
  Upon successfully completing the internship program, interns will receive a certificate from D2L recognizing their contributions and skills gained. This certificate can be used to demonstrate experience for future job applications or academic credit.

Benefits for Interns:

• Earn 40 hours of volunteer or internship experience per semester, which may be applicable for college credit.
• Gain hands-on experience in key areas such as leadership, event planning, marketing, and nonprofit operations.
• Build a professional network with D2L mentors, staff, and corporate partners.
• Contribute to a mission-driven organization making a real impact on the lives of youth.
• Opportunity to attend D2L events and workshops for personal development.