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5 Tips for Landing that Summer Internship

April 19, 2010 By Olu Johnson 1 Comment

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Do your research, start early, and don't ignore unpaid opportunities

As we get closer to summer, young people start looking for internships to build skills, enhance their college applications, and to find out what they might want to do (or not do) later in life. We asked Ed Oh, Communications Specialist with MatchBridge, a United Way community project for some helpful tips for young job seekers. Via email, here are five helpful things to keep in mind:

Tip # 1. START EARLY! Recently, the average duration of unemployment has reached a whopping seven and a half months. While looking for a temporary job or a summer internship might be easier than looking for full-time employment, competition is at an all time high. Start early, because job hunting entails much more than simply looking for a “hiring” sign.

Tip #2 RESEARCH! Research opportunities and set your expectations accordingly. If you started early enough, you’ll have time to find multiple opportunities, prepare your applications, confirm your schedule, and get answered any questions that may delay your application.

Tip #3 CONFIRM YOUR SCHEDULE. Ensure that you can be present for the entire period that you are expected. Don’t commit to a six-week internship if your parents made plans to take that five-week family vacation to Greece to see your grandmother that you all go on every year. If you will be taking significant time off, confirm everything ahead of time and let your employer know.

Tip #4 HAVE A BACKUP. Select from amongst a few different employers and opportunities that interest you. Make sure the internships are all positions you can commit to, that can teach you a variety of things you want to learn, and have similar deadlines.

Tip #5 EXPAND YOUR OPTIONS Do not ignore unpaid opportunities. If you have little-to-no work experience, consider unpaid internship programs. There is more freedom of choice because those businesses are getting a motivated worker at no cost, so you have a better chance at learning exactly what you want to learn and at a company or organization of your choice. Unpaid internships may also allow more flexibility in terms of scheduling as well. If you’re still in school you can most likely get credits and there are even positions around that offer grants to students working in unpaid internships.

Keep these tips in mind while searching for an internship this summer and feel free to call on MatchBridge to assist you with any opportunities you come across.

April 15 is Right Around the Corner…

April 12, 2010 By Olu Johnson Leave a Comment

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As we head into the final week of tax season, many of the more than 180 free tax sites across the Bay Area are scrambling to help people who have waited until the last week to file. Although time is running short, many free sites are still open and have space available help people file their taxes thanks to Earn It! Keep It! Save It!, a United Way-led coalition. Taxpayers should call 2-1-1 to find the site nearest them (or go here).

Besides helping hard-working families save money, the free tax sites also provide low to moderate income households with access to asset building and income support resources such as public benefits, low or no cost bank accounts and financial education. We also make sure they take advantage of the numerous changes in tax laws and credits such as:

Increased Earned Income Tax Credit – a larger credit for low-income families

Making Work Pay Credit – possible $400 or $800 for married couples

American Opportunity Tax Credit – partially refundable credit for education expenses

New Vehicle Sales Tax Deduction – on top of your standard deduction

Those credits can add up quickly – especially for families with children– and make the difference for a family on the edge.

And even if you might owe, taxpayers should visit a free tax site to discuss their options. The IRS can be flexible on payment plans, short-term extensions, enforcement, and offers-in-compromise in situations where there is financial hardship.

Taxpayers can call 2-1-1 or 800-358-8832, or go to www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org, to find a free tax site near them.

Filed Under: Road to Recovery Tagged With: Bay Area, employement, Income, taxes, United Way Partners

Pay It Forward

November 18, 2009 By Olu Johnson Leave a Comment

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In their latest newsletter, MatchBridge Executive Director Emily Linaman urges San Francisco business professionals to “Pay It Forward” by supporting and mentoring youth. We’ve posted her message in full below. In the video, Emily explains in her own words what inspires her and offers advice to young job seekers.

As we enter yet another holiday season, I reflect on how much we have to be thankful for here at MatchBridge. Despite a very challenging recession, so many generous and caring employers have stepped up this year to offer their support to the youth we serve. This past summer, MatchBridge placed over 200 youth into summer employment and paid internships though the generous support of employers and community partners like you.

Many employers generously gave their time and energy through volunteering with MatchBridge at various job-readiness events; such as BRE Properties, whose CEO Connie Moore told an awe-inspiring story of her own incredible journey toward her eventual rise to CEO of one of the top property management companies in the City. Wells Fargo coached our youth on the importance of financial responsibility and savings, a training well received by both youth and staff!

As we think about the many gifts we have to be thankful for, I invite you to think about your first job: who opened the door for you? Who helped you with your resume and coached you on the job interview? My guess is that the mentoring and coaching you received carved the pathway toward the current success you enjoy today in the workplace and your career. My guess is that there are a couple of key folks who come to mind as you recall the coaching, support and encouragement you needed to help you learn right from wrong, to set career goals and to increase your confidence as you entered the workforce in your early adult years.

Today you have earned the opportunity to pay it forward- to give back the coaching, support and encouragement that all youth require to succeed in college and careers. As you make your holiday shopping list this year, please consider the gift of sponsoring a youth in a 2010 summer internship in the industry of their choice.

The gift of sponsorship provides a youth a living wage for a six-week internship this summer, plus the support of weekly professional development training, provided by MatchBridge staff. Professional development focuses on job readiness basics- such as resumes, cover letters and interview preparation- as well as industry-specific curriculum, education and career goal setting, and other skills critical to succeeding in today’s complex workforce. I hope you will lend your support as we build the future workforce of San Francisco.

I encourage you to check out our website, where you can learn more about ways you can sponsor a youth and pay it forward. Happy Holidays to you and thank you again for your support of MatchBridge. Your investment in the youth of today will surely make a lasting impact that will pay dividends for a lifetime.

For more information, please visit our website at www.matchbridge.org or contact Emily Linaman, Executive Director, at (415) 808-4313 or at elinaman@uwba.org.