What did you do last summer?

Summer is here again and if you are reading this, chances are you may be interested in maximizing this major holiday season… If you are currently an undergraduate (based in Lagos,) seeking to earn some legitimate money, then read on…Are you looking to gain practical work experience even before you graduate? Wonder what your CV would look like when you do graduate and looking to improve upon its contents? Want to find a job and build a potentially life-long relationship with your boss who will guide you along your career path? Looking to enter into a mentoring relationship with your boss?

Positive Impact Network (PIN) presents a unique opportunity for undergraduates to gain practical work experience, to make good use of their summer holiday, and to learn and earn, in its Summer Youth Internship Connect (SYNC) Programme

The SYNC Programme: The Summer Youth Internship Connect Programme is an 8-week long youth employment initiative, conceptualized to enable young undergraduates acquire valuable practical work experience and mentored on-the-job training while earning an income. During the summer vacation, PIN connects youth to partner companies, firms or organizations and attaches them to mentors within the partner organization, under whose supervision and tutelage, the youth are expected to sharpen their skills, and increase their knowledge in their chosen career paths and pursuits. The SYNC experience introduces youth to the workplace, imparts valuable employment skills, and provides youth with a summer income, while the educational activities enhance this exposure to the world of work, allowing youth to gain the self-confidence, career awareness, financial literacy, and interpersonal competencies needed to succeed over the long term. In simple terms, this programme will give youth the opportunity to EARN and LEARN…



What are the objectives of this programme? The primary objectives of this programme are:

1. To augment the theoretical knowledge gained by students in their institutions of learning, while at the same time providing them with guidance and leadership training, and equip them for life after school

2. To provide an employment experience that stresses the development & practice of real world labour expectations

3. To provide opportunities for financial responsibility and economic independence

4. To smoothen the school-to-work transition for youth.

5. To provide positive role models and mentoring opportunities

How will the programme run? The SYNC Programme is neither a leadership training workshop nor a job placement programme. Twenty young people will be selected for the second edition of this programme based on the strength of their application only. Interviews would be conducted where necessary, and only selected applicants will be notified. Upon selection, students would be attached to partner organizations and mentors. A two-day orientation course will then be held. During this course, two representatives of top HR Consulting firms would be on-hand to put youth through the process of job application, career development, writing winning CV’s and employment application letters, office etiquette and other basic office skills.



The program will include:

a) On the job mentoring

b) Opportunities for networking

c) Stimulating tasks on the job to fast-track learning

d) Capacity and skills-building sessions during orientation

e) Certificates of participation at the end of the programme

f) Fortnightly evaluations and assessment of students performance on the job



In return, students are expected to perform their duties and obligations with utmost dedication, and must put in their very best to ensure productivity of their temporary employers. Positive Impact Network will carry out fortnightly evaluations of the programme and at the end of four weeks, determine if any young person is to be dropped from the programme, replaced and/ or cautioned. Although there is room for only 20 young people this year, 10 outstanding applicants will be kept on the waiting list, and will participate in the orientation programme.



What kind of job will I be doing? There really are no predetermined positions youth will fill. In other words, many participating companies have only the development of the young people at heart and will create openings for them within their companies/ organizations. Youths responsibilities will thus vary significantly.

Positive Impact Network will however make matches based on the youth’s field of study, interests, ambitions, passion etc. The programme aims for entrepreneurial development so youth would be encouraged to apply for jobs they are passionate about. If you are studying law therefore, and really have a passion for writing, you may apply for the kind of job that will build on your inherent strengths, or grant you the opportunity to refine your skills. Programme partners include corporate bodies, non-governmental organizations, law firms, furniture making firms, print and electronic media, graphic/ web design studios, health & fitness centres, institutions, events and marketing firms, and one-man businesses.

The Mentoring Component: Mentoring is a key component of this programme. Youth will be attached to mentors within the organization who will act as positive role models, and guide youth through their first job experience. The relationship is expected to last a lifetime, and mentors/mentees will be matched based on similar interests, beliefs and career choices.



Who can participate? Vibrant, positive, ambitious young persons seeking an opportunity for personal development, and who are within ages 17-25 can apply. They must be in some recognizable institution of learning, be on holiday for the duration of the programme, and possess exemplary character and leadership qualities. Members of youth organizations/ associations are especially invited to apply. A selection committee will select 20 participants, and place 10 on the waiting list.



Any Fees? There are NO hidden or apparent costs to participate in this programme. There are NO entry fees, application fees, course orientation fees, or attachment fees. Instead, we urge our partners to pay a minimum remuneration of at least 8,000 naira (monthly) to all participants. Note that depending on the nature of the job, and the skills of the youth, this figure can be (much) higher!



Great Deal…But how do I apply? A web-based application form is available with this announcement. Otherwise, please see contact information below to request an application. The deadline for application is 15th of July 2006. ALL entries must be received online. For more information, please contact info@positiveimpactnetwork.org, or call 234-1 762 2048



For more information:

Positive Impact Network (PIN)

Contact: Funmilola , info@positiveimpactnetwork.org

Call: + 234 1 762 2048

Fax: +234 1 461 9878

Website: www.positiveimpactnetwork.org