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For Students
The PENCIL Internship Program provides students in New York City and its surrounding communities with access to career readiness training, connections to professional mentors, and the opportunity to secure a paid summer internship. PENCIL currently implements remote internships as well as paid work-based learning experiences including the Ladders for Leaders program. Applicants are required to live in NYC. There is no GPA requirement for participants to apply for Ladder for Leaders.
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For Employers
New York’s thriving economy offers a world of opportunity to highly motivated students looking for college and career success. PENCIL helps connect employers and volunteer mentors to skilled, motivated, and enthusiastic students as they enter the professional world. All students must complete over 20 hours of pre-employment training to qualify for internships. Employers or volunteer mentors are assigned a PENCIL staff person to identify candidates and support them before, during and after the placement process.
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Ladders for Leaders
Ladders for Leaders is a nationally recognized program that offers motivated New York City high school and college students the opportunity to participate in paid professional summer internships with leading corporations, non-profit organizations and government agencies in New York City.
Your Future Awaits
The Ladders for Leaders application is now closed.
Please contact l4l@pencil.org with any questions.
- PENCIL Intern Alumni Opportunities
The PENCIL Internship Alumni Group is a growing network that includes former members of the PENCIL Fellows Program, as well as students who have completed a Ladders for Leaders internship with PENCIL. For over 10 years, PENCIL Internship Programs have connected New York City high school and college students to paid internship opportunities and professional training that sets up students for success. PENCIL currently serves as a provider for the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development’s Ladders for Leaders program.
All alumni have successfully completed six-week summer internships in New York City across a range of fields such as finance, hospitality, fashion, marketing, advertising, and more. Many have gone on to participate in the program more than once and continue to leverage their professional and academic networks to obtain internships during the school year.
PENCIL LinkedIn Alumni Group
Students are strongly encouraged to join our PENCIL Alumni LinkedIn group to gain access to networking events and a variety of career enrichment resources. Once accepted, all members are encouraged to post, engage, connect, and share all the questions, achievements, and resources you feel would benefit everyone in the alumni community. PENCIL staff will also post regularly with key events and opportunities, so we encourage you to check back often, stay engaged, and spread the word. We hope you will use this platform to connect with other alumni, find new connections, and grow your network!
Alumni Ambassadors
Are you interested in becoming engaged in PENCIL’s mission to connect students to success? PENCIL looks to our alumni network to support new applicants in the internship process and help to support student interns. Here are some ways to get involved:
- Mentoring: Each year we get a new cohort of younger students who are looking to build career-related experience through first-year internships. Our internship team can connect you with a student seeking additional support so that you can offer guidance and expertise on areas such as interviewing, career exploration, workplace skills, and more!
- Alumni Panel at the Pre-Employment Training: New student applicants are required to go through pre-employment training prior to being matched with an internship. A highlight of this portion of the process occurs during the Alumni Panel, where students can ask questions and learn about your personal experiences going through our program. Your insight is highly valued!
Please email Tiana Douglas, Program Manager – Internships if you are looking to get involved!