MEMBER PROFILE
Michelle Menter
I've been an entrepeneur for years now, and I credit my ability to start and keep going to the Business CENTS program. Leslie Ackerman, Business CENT's director, suggested Cornell's BR Legal services when I needed to form a LLC, and Legal Zoom couldn't get me there. She helped me think through my business structure and marketing plan for starting my vacation rental business. It's a good thing Business CENTS exists - to help folks like me launch a new idea with a sense of support behind me. Thanks!
Internships
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
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