The First-Generation Limited-Income (FLI) Internship Academy at The Johns Hopkins University is a vital initiative addressing equity gaps by supporting first-generation and limited-income students through a robust internship and career development program. By blending academic preparation with hands-on experiential learning and employer partnerships, the academy enables participants to develop professional skills, expand their networks, and secure meaningful internships.
Program Overview
The FLI Internship Academy begins with a six week course in the fall semester, equipping students with essential job-readiness skills, including networking, interviewing, and self-presentation. This is complemented by discussions on overcoming challenges such as imposter syndrome. Upon completing the course, students transition into experiential learning opportunities with partner organizations.
To enhance accessibility, the program offers two tailored hiring initiatives for students and employers: the Placement Program and JobsforJays. These initiatives simplify the hiring process for employers while ensuring that students receive valuable internships supported by financial assistance.
1. The Placement Program
The Placement Program is a streamlined hiring initiative designed to connect students with tailored internship opportunities at partner organizations. Key features include:
- Employer Engagement Support: Johns Hopkins manages much of the administrative workload for employers, including job postings, candidate screening, and interview coordination. This ensures a seamless experience for participating organizations.
- Guaranteed Stipends: Employers benefit from a funding model where the university contributes up to $4,000 toward the student’s summer stipend, alleviating financial barriers for both parties.
- Customized Matches: Students who have completed the FLI Internship Academy’s preparatory course are matched with roles aligned to their skills and career aspirations, ensuring a productive and mutually beneficial partnership.
This program fosters long-term relationships between employers and students while addressing financial challenges that often preclude FLI students from unpaid or underpaid internship opportunities.
2. JobsforJays
JobsforJays is a signature hiring initiative open to all Johns Hopkins students, including those in the FLI Internship Academy. While broader in scope, it provides critical opportunities for FLI students to access diverse job roles and internships across industries. Key aspects include:
- Collaborative Hiring Model: Employers are expected to match up to $2,000 in funding provided by Johns Hopkins, making internships more financially viable for students.
- Employer Accountability: Unlike the Placement Program, JobsforJays shifts more responsibility to employers, requiring them to conduct interviews and extend offers. However, Johns Hopkins still offers comprehensive support throughout the hiring process.
- Proven Success: This initiative has a strong track record, with over 50 hires from more than 35 companies in a recent cycle, showcasing its impact on creating internship opportunities for diverse candidates.
JobsforJays allows employers to tap into the talent pipeline at Johns Hopkins while giving students the chance to secure competitive roles that build their resumes and professional networks.
Closing the Equity Gap
Both initiatives are vital components of the FLI Internship Academy’s mission to address equity gaps in career development. They remove financial and structural barriers that disproportionately affect first-generation and limited-income students, ensuring they have equal access to the transformative experience of internships.
By fostering inclusive hiring practices and building bridges between students and employers, the FLI Internship Academy positions itself as a model for equitable career development. These efforts are crucial for developing a diverse workforce equipped with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to excel in today’s job market.
For more details, visit the FLI Internship Academy page!