Internship program teaches job skills to high school students Walter Pritchard
For the Suburban Journals
North Side Journal
Wednesday, Mar. 08 2006

As an intern in 1995 with the law firm Moser & Marsalek, Shanise Johnson performed general clerical duties and worked on specialized projects, like creating a filing system for the firm's expert witness database.

Johnson, who went on to receive a bachelor's degree in management information systems from St. Louis University and a master's in business administration from Webster University, thoroughly enjoyed working at the law firm — and getting paid, too.

"It was a rewarding experience for me," she said.

She later heard about an opening at the St. Louis Internship Program, the organization that had placed her at the law firm.

"They had a position open in the office and I've been here since, almost 10 years," said Johnson, 27, who is now the nonprofit organization's program director.

The St. Louis Internship Program trains city high school students for the workforce by placing them in internships with area businesses such as law offices, health care agencies, accountant firms, corporations, social service organizations and others.

Since its inception in 1992, more than 2,600 students have completed the internship program. Almost all of the students graduate from high school and go on to college or other post-secondary training programs. Some of its graduates are working at sponsoring companies like Boeing, the May Co., SBC and St. Louis Public Schools. Others have gone into business for themselves.

The thrust of the internship program is to provide professional job preparation to incoming high school juniors and seniors in financial need, as defined by federal guidelines for free or reduced-price school lunches. The program also serves to inspire the high school students, most of them African-Americans, by placing them in professional settings to develop life skills for academic achievement and job opportunities.

SLIP board member Darrell Collins, who works as a community relations manager at the financial brokerage firm, A.G. Edwards & Sons, said the program gives students "practical experience in a real-world environment."

"Students learn everything from the importance of dressing properly and getting to work on time to the value of contributing to departmental and organizational goals," Collins said. "Students can also meet mentors and role models who can assist them in many ways for years."

SLIP is entering its 15th year with a record number of enrollees. The first class of the 2006 program began Feb. 28 at the University of Missouri-St. Louis with 186 students out of 250 that applied.

Students attend 10 training sessions every Saturday at UMSL that focus on resume writing, interviewing skills, effective communications, business practices and etiquette. All students must be in a uniform consisting of a blue blazer, white oxford shirt, khaki pants or a skirt, and a tie.

After the training period, the students go on to eight-week, paid internships, earning $6.50 an hour from the sponsoring business for a 40-hour workweek. Wages for students placed with nonprofit organizations are paid for by donations from individuals or fundraising.

Attorney Steve N. Cousins of the law firm Armstrong Teasdale and co-chairman of SLIP's board of directors, said the program offers students the chance to "enter into the corridors of power" represented by companies and firms hiring SLIP grads.

"The employer gets a substantial value added and return on his investment by adding an employee that is selectively screened, well trained and ingrained with a can-do attitude," Cousins said.

SLIP this year is seeking internship placements for 150 students.

Johnson said SLIP "broadens students' horizons on what is available and attainable." She urges businesses to open their doors for the class of 2006.

"The St. Louis Internship Program is a community organization in all sense of the word 'community', " she said. "We want to make sure the business community connects with students deserving to obtain an internship."