Internships
Alternatives has several exciting internship
opportunities available, offering projects that are non-trivial and self-contained.
If chosen for an internship, you will be assigned a Staff Mentor who will offer
training and guidance for the project, and you will be rewarded with valuable,
practical experience and the satisfaction of a job well done.
Our program offers
a mixture of working and learning, of technical and social skills. We aim to
teach breadth, flexibility, and adaptability.
Please note: Our internships are offered without monetary compensation.
Alternatives Credit Union is located approximately 250 miles (400 km) northwest
of New York City.
If you would like to pursue an internship, please email Lenore
Olmstead, HR@alternatives.org.
FREE TAX PREPARATION PROGRAM
See Free Tax Preparation Internship.
STUDENT CREDIT UNION
The Student Credit Union is a program to help young people learn financial education
through credit union services. Alternatives has school branches at Ithaca High
School, Lehman Alternative Community School, Boynton Middle School, Cayuga Heights Elementary School and Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. Student volunteers are trained as tellers and member service representatives to help
their peers learn about saving and using financial products responsibly. An
intern will work with the director of the program to oversee branch operations,
create opportunities to expand membership and increase participation. This is
a great opportunity to develop an innovative educational model in public schools.
Estimated Time Requirement: Variable
LOAN PROCEDURES MANUAL
Update the Credit Union's Loan Procedures Manual. The work is detailed, involves
staff interviews about the application and decision-making process for consumer
mortgage, business and credit card loans, and the development of a uniform and
easy to understand manual to assist with new employee training. The intern must
have basic knowledge of loan practices, have a business background, and be able
to work independently. Computer skills are essential.
Estimated Time Requirement: 10 hours/week for one semester.
LOAN CLERK, OPERATIONS CLERK, DATA ENTRY CLERK, VISA CLERK
We offer continuing internships with more fundamental, non-project oriented
tasks. For these interns we use Job Shadowing and Job Tryout models. These jobs
concentrate on office procedures, work habits, corporate structure and develop
employability skills. Duties include providing members with information about
the Credit Union, handling member inquiries, transaction research, filing, photocopying,
address changes, data entry, general office tasks. These tasks give a good sense
of what it is like to work in a financial institution.
Estimated Time Requirement: Flexible based on skill level and availability