Student Leadership Program
The Student Leadership Program offers students in Colorado the opportunity to enhance their educational experience with practical business experience. The SLP at the South Metro Chamber is different from other internship placement programs for three reasons, the emphasis on mentoring, connections within the business community, and special programming for students.
Mentoring:
For Students: At its core, the SLP concerns itself with providing students a chance to become leaders, through internships and mentoring that encourage them to push themselves. The SLP works to set up interns with business leaders that will work with the intern to help them develop their skills and passions.
For Businesses: By acting as a young student’s mentor, the business community can play an active role in preparing Colorado’s finest for the challenges that they will inevitably face. We want our students not only to gain work experience, but also to be inspired and learn valuable life-long lessons. Through guidance by strong mentors, students achieve a higher level of understanding of the business world and the community surrounding them.
Community Connections:
For Students: The SLP is unique in the connections it has with top companies in Colorado. From accounting to engineering, there are always a variety of businesses searching for talented students to work for them. Some businesses we partner with for internships include Merrill Lynch, United Launch Alliance, and CORE (Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy).
For Businesses: Every year, students from DU, CSU, CU, Colorado College, Metro, and others apply for our program. If your needs are better suited for a high school student, we have applicants from all the major high schools in the South Metro region as well. With access to talented students across the state, there are dozens of students who fit the mold for what our participating businesses are searching for, no matter what industry.
Special Programming:
Student intern Mallory LeBlanc created a power point for a school project describing her experience as a Chamber intern. |
For Students: The SLP has special programming for placed interns that gives them a chance to meet top executives in the area. From fun events like bowling nights, to private meetings with business leaders, the SLP gives students a chance to be more involved in the business community. This can mean meeting the governor, lending a helping hand on a cool project, or going to a meeting with the CEO of a top company.
For Businesses: The SLP also conducts training sessions each summer that help prepare students for the business world before they start their internship. Business professionals conduct mock interviews to help the students gain confidence and experience. Students can also attend a resume building workshop to make sure that they are highlighting their assets and putting together a professional product. Additionally, students are instructed about how to network and promote themselves. The ultimate goal is to provide businesses with students who are ready to hit the ground running.
"Having interned with the South Metro Denver Chamber Of Commerce was a great experience, both personally and professionally. Coming from France, I learned so much about US companies and how works a Chamber. This internship allowed me to establish professional relationships that I can call upon in my future careers, to improve my English language skills in a professional work environment, to gain knowledge and learn valuable techniques. I did feel I worked with one of the best and most respected organizations in the world. I hope to easily find a position in France thanks to this internship." |
The Student Leadership Program is only in its third year of existence but it has already started a new trend in Colorado, a trend that is redefining the common notion of an internship. Internships do not need to be based solely on grunt work. They are meant to inspire students and provide them with valuable insights into professional areas. Furthermore, through the SLP’s efforts, we hope to help keep the Denver area as talented and vibrant as ever. Companies and students from across the state are looking to the SLP as the best mechanism for connecting talented students to amazing companies. With more support from the business and education community, the SLP could help revolutionize the value of internships and student leadership in Colorado.
Student Application for the SLP Program
Business Application for the SLP Program
More Information:
More information for businesses
More information for students
Contact Jocelyn Swalm at jswalm@bestchamber.com or call 303-795-0142 for more information.
