ExxonMobil is pleased to sponsor the eleventh-annual Community Summer Jobs Program in Houston. Since 1998, ExxonMobil has provided over $725,000 in grants to Houston-area agencies through the Community Summer Jobs Program. Again this year, ExxonMobil will provide grants to selected agencies for the purpose of hiring a full-time summer intern.

Through the Community Summer Jobs Program, college students are introduced to a variety of nonprofit organizations with the hope that they will consider careers or volunteer leadership positions in the nonprofit sector.

Assisted by the management services of Volunteer Houston, ExxonMobil sponsors internships at approximately 65 local nonprofit agencies. These agencies benefit from the extra help during busy summer months; and the college students benefit from the valuable work experience and the connection to a widely known, corporate-sponsored internship program.

This nationally recognized program started in New York in 1971 and now operates in ten states. The Houston program is one of the largest in the country. There are many eligible agencies in the Houston area, making the application process in Houston very competitive. The program is made successful by the outstanding agencies and supervisors who provide challenging and supportive settings for students to grow and learn about the importance of nonprofits in our community.

Internships vary each year and can include experiences such as directing youth camps, marketing, community outreach, direct client service, computer technology and fund development.

In addition to working full-time for a nonprofit agency, the interns also attend two development seminars throughout the summer. Topics for these seminars may include volunteer management, conflict and resolution, career planning and starting your own nonprofit. Interns also participate together in a day of community service.

Agency Eligibility
Grant applications are available in October of each year, and selected agencies are notified by January 31. Eligible agencies must meet the following criteria:

• be located in Harris County, Texas; and
• be certified by the U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, as having federal tax-exempt 501(C) (3) status or be deemed a governmental agency; and
• design a challenging, well-supervised, 8-week internship that balances direct community involvement and experience in non-profit administration; and
• submit a completed application (with accompanying materials) to Volunteer Houston by the deadline.

Intern Criteria
Once the 65 participating agencies have been selected, the agencies themselves are responsible for recruiting and hiring their summer interns. All interns must be hired by April 15. Eligible interns must meet the following criteria:

• be enrolled as a full-time (12 or more credit hours), undergraduate student; and
• be returning to school for the fall semester after their internship as either a sophomore, junior or senior; and
• cannot be an immediate family member of any employee or board member of ExxonMobil, Volunteer Houston or the agency to which they apply.

Students who meet the above criteria must contact the agency directly to be considered for an internship. (Volunteer Houston does not hire or place the interns.) A full list of all selected agencies and their contact information can be found here:
Agency listings for 2008
Important Dates for 2008:

January 31 - All applicants will be notified as to their participation in the summer program

February 12 (3-5 pm @ Bo’s Place, 10050 Buffalo Spwy) - Mandatory Orientation Meeting for all selected agencies

Feb/March/April - Agencies recruit and interview potential interns

Apr 15 - Agencies must have their interns selected for the summer

Apr 30 – All intern hiring paperwork is due to Volunteer Houston

Week of June 2 – Community Summer Jobs Program kicks-off

June/July – Interns attend Seminars & Community Service Project

August 31 – Final evaluations from agencies and interns are due to Volunteer Houston

For additional information, call Matt Rosine at (713) 964-0220 or email MattR@volunteerhouston.org.