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About Page
Our Mission
Our mission is to help students and recent graduates gain real-world experience through flexible, fully remote internships and fellowships. We provide career mentoring and partner with accredited colleges and universities as well as small businesses to give you hands-on experience that can help you land your dream job.
CO-OP Program
Are you a current student or recent graduate looking for real-world experience? Do you want to put your skills to the test after all those long hours of studying for exams and writing papers? An internship at SLMG CO-OP might be just what you’re looking for!
Through partnerships with accredited colleges/universities, established companies, and emerging brands, The SLMG CO-OP gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills in the real world. Program participants work in hybrid or fully remote internship roles. As an intern with us, you will actively contribute to projects that align with your chosen career path and gain experience that could very well set you apart when it’s time for that job interview.
Core Values
At SLMG CO-OP, we value creativity, excellence, inclusivity, and wellness. Incorporating these values into everything we do helps us foster a challenging, encouraging work environment and create a better world for the communities we serve.
Expectations for Your Career
Many aspiring professionals find themselves in a catch-22: to get a job, you need experience, but to get experience you need a job. Our program gives you the experience and skills to break into a competitive job market, and our career mentors will help you navigate challenges and achieve your goals. When you become an intern or fellow with SLMG, you will learn skills that will guide you throughout your career.
SLMG Reach Initiative
The Reach Initiative provides internship opportunities to high school students in the urban Cleveland Municipal School District, with a specific focus on helping students who aren’t on track to graduate earn credits. This is one of the many ways SLMG gives back to the community and helps students at every step of their educational journey.
Board of Directors
Meet our board members! These talented individuals work to plan SLMG’s programming and research initiatives. Our board is made up of 71% women, and they are committed to creating equity and working to help their communities.
Dr. Zakiya T. Brown
President/Chairperson
Lachen Parks
Secretary
Danielle Wright
Treasurer/CFO
Dr. Shawn Kindle
General Board Member
Rahim Nichols
General Board Member
Ronnell Anderson
General Board Member
Ivy Banks, Esq.
General Counsel
Paris Lampkins
Advisory Board Member
Consortium Partners
Our partnerships with businesses and accredited colleges/universities help us provide experiential learning opportunities for our interns and fellows. Working on real projects for our consortium partners means you get to practice new skills and connect with people in your desired industry.
Goode Worldwide
The Elite Event Co.
All American Writing Instruments
Past Intern Works
After completing their programs, our interns have vibrant collections of work to show their skills. Check out some of our past interns’ work here!
FAQs
Got questions about opportunities at SLMG CO-OP? We have answers! Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about our programs.
Q: How Long Do the Internships Last?
A: The duration of our internships varies depending on the term. Our spring and fall programs last 6 months, while our summer program lasts 3 months. No matter which term you do, you will still be required to complete 90 hours of work to complete the program. The goal is for you to complete your program within the expected time frame, but we get it– sometimes life can be hectic! This is why we can offer extensions in certain circumstances.
Q: Do I need a certain number of hours to complete the program? How much will I be working each week?
A: You will need a total of 90 hours to complete the program no matter which term you are doing. For the spring and fall terms, this is about 10-15 hours per week. Since the summer term is shorter, you would be working around 20 hours per week.
Q: Who will I be working with?
A: During your internship, you will complete projects independently and as part of a team. Some projects will require you to collaborate with or give feedback to other interns. You will also work with a manager and a performance coach. Managers delegate your workload and explain your projects, guiding you down a path of experiential learning. Your performance coach will discuss your progress in the internship, helping you overcome obstacles and challenges while identifying your strengths and areas for improvement.
Q: How long or in-depth will the training be?
A: You will receive training the first 1-2 weeks of the internship. During this time you will have an orientation and you will also learn how to use our project management tools. But don’t worry, even after you’re done training, your manager and performance coach will still be happy to answer questions and help you adjust.
Q: How frequently will there be progress reports/check-ins during the program?
A: During the program interns will receive monthly performance evaluations. These evaluations give you a chance to reflect on what you are learning and set new goals for yourself with the help of your performance coach and manager. This will help you live up to your full potential and create projects that you’re proud of!
Q: How flexible is the position? Will you be able to work around my work/school schedule?
A: Since our program is fully remote and asynchronous, we are open to accommodating work and school schedules. You will need to schedule two meetings each week and set aside time to work on assignments and to participate in weekly engagement on Slack. Please keep in mind that our working hours are in EST. As long as you’re able to meet these requirements, our program should fit into your schedule.
Expectations and responsibilities
Q:What would an average week look like as an intern?
A: Our program is flexible, since we know that you’re balancing other responsibilities like school and work. Each week, you will have one meeting with your manager and another with your performance coach. You can complete your assignments whenever and wherever you want, from your favorite coffee shop or even your bed! Our working hours are 9AM-5PM EST Monday through Friday, and you will be expected to reply to messages within 2 hours during this time. On the weekends you will be expected to reply to messages within 24 hours.
Q: Can I take time off during my internship?
A: You can take time off during your internship by filling out a request form which your manager will review.
Q: Is this program fully remote?
A: Our program is fully remote, which means that you can work from virtually anywhere! It also means that you get to meet other emerging professionals from all over the country. How cool is that? To learn more about our positions, click here.
Q: How long/big are typical projects?
A: During your time as an intern, you will get to work on a variety of different projects that all align with your chosen career path. You will likely get a mix of shorter projects and longer projects. It all depends on the needs of the company and consortium partners.
Mentorship and support
Q: What does mentorship look like with SLMG?
A: As an intern, you will meet with your performance coach weekly to discuss your goals and progress on your assignments. Performance coaches can help you set and achieve goals, navigate your relationships with managers and other interns, and adapt to a remote work environment. They will also be there to celebrate all of your achievements. Through these coaching sessions, we want you to learn skills that will help you in your internship program and beyond.
Q: Am I able to talk about general career guidance with my mentor or should conversations relate primarily to the internship?
A: Although most of your conversations will relate to the internship, mentors at SLMG are here to support you both in and outside of the program. An internship is about more than just completing projects, it’s about gaining skills that can help you in your future career. For this reason, our mentors can help you with topics like work/life balance, building your resume/portfolio, and more.
Learning and development opportunities
Q: How will this internship help me prepare for my future career?
A: At SLMG, we value experiential learning. This means learning through hands-on experience, not just taking notes or listening to a lecture. As an intern, you will get to work on real projects that align with your chosen career path. As you work on your assignments, you will get guidance and feedback from your manager to help you reach your full potential and hone your skills. This will set you apart in interviews and prepare you to adapt to new work environments.
Q: Do I have a say in which projects I work on? Is there a way for me to learn specific skills and achieve specific goals?
A: The projects your manager assigns to you are based on the needs of our company as well as the needs of our consortium partners, but you always have the opportunity to tell your manager specific skills you want to learn or areas you want to improve. They will do their best to help you get the most out of your time here.
Q: Will there be any additional workshops/boot camps/webinars to help further my professional development?
A: SLMG CO-OP offers workshops to help interns learn new skills outside of the projects that they complete.
Q: Will this internship help me build my portfolio?
A: The projects you work on can help you build your portfolio, which is a huge part of snagging a full-time job in many industries. You can check out some of our previous interns’ projects here.
Post-internship opportunities
Q: Can this internship lead to a full-time role with this company?
A: We do not offer full-time roles after internships. Instead, we focus on setting you up with the skills you will need to land a job in your desired field.
Q: Does this program offer assistance or placement opportunities with other companies?
A: Although it is not a guaranteed outcome of our program, our consortium partners may offer full-time roles to interns who fit their company’s needs.
Q: After completing this program, will I be able to get a recommendation or reference letter from my manager/team lead/mentor?
A: You may receive a letter of recommendation if you meet certain requirements at the end of your internship. If you perform well and complete 150 hours during your internship (going above and beyond the required 90) then you can get a special letter of recommendation from our Executive Director.
Q: Am I able to reapply for the same/other positions after completing the program?
A: After you finish your internship, you are welcome to try another position. It just can’t be the same one that you have already completed. You will have to go through the application and interview process again.
Company culture and values
Q: How is work-life balance upheld within the company?
A: One of the ways that SLMG helps interns balance work and home life is through our weekly performance coaching sessions. Your performance coach can help you balance your responsibilities and come up with ways to manage stress. We also allow interns to take time off with manager approval.
Q: How does the company encourage the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion?
A: At SLMG, we value a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone is part of the team.
General questions
Q: What types of internships are available?
A: SLMG offers a wide range of internships for aspiring professionals in many different fields. To see our full list of internships, click here. To see the positions that are currently open, click here.
Q: Is it possible to switch what internship I’m participating in partway through?
A: You cannot switch which program you are doing partway through, but you are welcome to apply to other positions after your current program has ended.
Q: Is this internship paid?
A: Our internships are unpaid, but we do offer college credit for eligible students.
Q: Does this internship have a technology requirement?
A: Interns at SLMG must have a working computer or laptop to complete assignments on and a reliable internet connection. We are not able to provide equipment to interns at this time.
Ainsley Davis 