Application review date: Monday, March 16, 2020 *We accept applications till all interns are placed.

"[We] saw our organization through new eyes and new energy. Seeing someone motivated to see positive change in our community was refreshing for many staff!"  -2019 Employer Partner
Purpose
The First Alaskans Institute (FAI) 2020 Summer Internship Program (SIP) places Alaska Native, American Indian, Indigenous and rural community members and students into organizations around Alaska to provide leadership growth and employment experience and exploration. The program is designed to help those who show a high level of community leadership and commitment prepare for their careers, further or advance their education or training, and engage in other professional opportunities that strengthen their ability to help serve and advance our Alaska Native community. Priority placement is given to juniors, seniors and recent graduates in college or vocational school, graduate students, and/or community members whose life experience and work history showcase a commitment to serving our Native peoples but have not enrolled in higher education.  At a bare minimum, applicants must be high school graduates or equivalent. Continuing to build upon 15 years of proven success in developing dynamic and connected Native leaders, this one-of-a-kind experience strengthens the next generation of Indigenous leaders through a unique curriculum harmonizing Native knowledge and history, transferable business skills, and community-based advocacy training while providing hands-on experiential learning in career fields relevant to each intern’s pursuits and employer’s interests.  

FAI values our partnerships across the state as we seek to ensure meaningful employment opportunities for the interns and their employers. Interns will have the option to help establish partnerships with new employers if current options are not relevant, especially where it will allow them to return to their home village or region. Since 2004 FAI has placed 358 interns in over 110 different partner organizations in 26 communities across Alaska. 

Employer Partner & Application Requirements
  • Support growth of an intern by providing feedback and guidance
  • Provide intern work space & equipment
  • Invest in program by paying a placement fee
  • Submission of online application with organization, main contact, supervisor, and mentor information
  • Brief work summary
  • Bulleted list of duties & responsibilities
  • Intern work plan - Template is available for download here.
Application Tip:  Prepare the documents listed above a head of time to be most efficient. See the next page for the requirements for each document.

Timeline
  • Employer Partner Application Review Date: Friday, March 6, 2020
  • Intern Application Due Date: Friday, March 6, 2020
  • Final Selection of Interns: Friday, April 10, 2020
  • Employer Partner Orientation Meetings: TBD
  • Sliding Scale Placement Fee Due: Monday, June 8, 2020
  • Intern Placement with Employer Partner: June 8 – July 31, 2020
  • Intern Mandatory Leadership Development Retreats, 8 am-5 pm: June 1 – 5 & August 3 – 7
  • Intern Mandatory Leadership Development Fridays, 1-5 pm: June 19 & 26, July 17
For More Information
Please direct all questions to Ella Sassuuk Tonuchuk at 907-677-1700 or sassuuk@firstalaskans.org.

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