YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

Sisterhood Boutique offers 4 month internships to young East African women in Cedar-Riverside, ages 16-25. The young women develop employment, financial, and leadership skills.

Classroom Learning

During the internship, the youth are exposed to curriculum spanning personal, professional, and community development. Participants are mentored by adults who have managed or owned a business; and they identify and work toward their academic, career, and life goals.

Simply sending home a paycheck wasn’t acceptable. Which is why Sisterhood created the financial literacy section of the internship. With the help of Junior Achievement curriculum, mentors with business degrees, and the local Wells Fargo branch’s knowledge, we are able to introduce personal finance management. Information is presented on:

  • Opening a checking account
  • Budgeting and saving
  • Personal credit and credit cards

Of course, operating a business involves more than the front of store tasks. We find it important to teach interns how to present the boutique to outside audiences as well. Participants will identify the best ways to tell Sisterhood’s story as well as practice all of the steps to take when making a flyer, writing a newsletter, or posting on social media. This may consist of:

  • Taking noteworthy photographs
  • Using different styles of writing
  • Knowing their audience
  • Familiarizing themselves with the various social media platforms

Many of the Sisterhood interns are completing their very first job experience! Therefore, we hope to prepare them for future opportunities. The confidence that is built as each young woman interacts with the store is monumental to their ability to talk about their accomplishments and to present a professional, yet unique, persona. Taking it one step further, we make sure each intern has the chance to really contemplate who they are and how they want others to see them, especially when having a short time to make an impression. Interns will complete the four month’s with the following:

  • Mock interview practice
  • A completed resume
  • A rehearsed elevator pitch
  • Networking with corporate professionals and community workers
  • Assistance with finding jobs

Experiential Learning

An even bigger portion of the internship takes place in a hands-on environment. Working in the store, visiting local organizations, and putting on an event in the community are a few of the ways the young women get to engage. In particular, youth will learn:

Customer Service | Collaboration and Working in a Team | Cash Handling | Inventory Management | Responsibility | Problem Solving | Event Planning | Store Organization & Cleaning | How to Develop & Lead Community Improvement Projects | Exploration of Career Paths | Communication

Sisterhood Boutique offers 3 internship sessions (or cohorts) each year; Spring, Fall, and Summer.  Summer participants have the opportunity to participate in Step Up, the sewing program, and Public  Achievement, in addition to the regular internship training.

East African high school students, ages 16-25 are encouraged to apply at any time. Though we do not  accept women younger than 16, we often maintain a waitlist of students interested in joining the  program once they reach 16. Additionally, any application deadlines will be announced on our Facebook  page.

Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a phone call from our youth training  specialist. You will then be asked to stop by Sisterhood Boutique for an interview.