Young Invincibles Fellowship ($5,000 Stipend)

YI SCHOLARS APPLICATION

Young Invincibles and the Cognosante Foundation are launching a summer fellowship program that will provide students with the opportunity to learn a range of skills in our nation’s capital, from policy research, organizing and advocacy, to communications strategies, to business skills - all while experiencing all that Washington, DC has to offer.

Program Description

Young Invincibles is seeking interested candidates to join our summer fellowship program, YI Scholars, for a professional and educational experience in Washington, DC. YI Scholars will have the opportunity to learn leadership and professional skills, be trained on the issue areas that Young Invincibles advocates for, explore both the non-profit and business sector and participate in educational activities throughout DC. Each YI Scholar will get a chance to work across the organization in policy and research, communications, and organizing. In addition, YI Scholars will become a part of a YI Alumni Network to ensure that they continue to engage with other young leaders as they begin their careers. This position is full-time, temporary for 10 weeks (June 1 – August 7), and pays a stipend of $5,000. The program also covers the cost of a roundtrip plane ticket for the fellow to travel to DC and back home. Preference will be given to firstgeneration college students.

About Young Invincibles

Young Invincibles was founded in the summer of 2009 to give young adults (ages 18-34) a voice in the health care debate, and to organize and advocate around one of the most critical issues for our generation. Young Invincibles was integral in pushing for critical reforms, like staying on your parent’s insurance plan to age 26 and greatly improving college health plans. In a little more than a year, ‘YI’ went from a group run out of a law school cafeteria to a national organization, representing the interests of 18 to 34 year-olds and making sure that our perspective is heard wherever decisions about our collective future are being made. We do this through conducting cutting-edge policy research and analysis, sharing the stories of young adults, designing campaigns to educate on important issue areas, informing and mobilizing our generation and advocating to change the status quo. We still believe in our generation – now more than ever. We know that our generation will define the future we share as a nation. These are difficult times. But this is also our time.

FAQs About the Program

What will I do every day?

• Assist with research and writing policy memos on topics such as higher education, health care, and jobs/youth unemployment issues.
• Assist with outreach and facilitating presentations.
• Assist with traditional communications, such as writing press releases
• Assist with social media content and maintenance.
• Contribute to the development of a YI Alumni Network Program.
• Produce a final project in one of YI’s issue areas.
• Provide a debrief of learning outcomes.

What else will I get to do?

• Visit the US Capitol, meet with the offices of your local representatives in the House and Senate, and attend hearings and speeches.
• Attend workshops and Learning Days with other area non-profit organizations, businesses, and agencies.
• Attend educational and networking events hosted by DC organizations.

Summer programming will also include….

• Workshops on resume writing and job interview skills.
• Trainings on YI issue areas.
• Leadership building workshops.
• Opportunities to attend and contribute to YI events.
• Shadowing YI employees.

Do you accept students in any year of school?

No. YI only accepts current undergraduate students who are 18 years of age or older attending a two or four year institution. We are not accepting applications from entering undergraduate students.

What sort of experience or skills do I need?

• Be a current undergraduate student enrolled in a two- or four-year institution (graduating seniors are eligible to apply).
• Active participants in the community and/or campus they live in.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Creative, entrepreneurial, energetic, and possessing a great attitude.
• Willingness to work both independently and along side coworkers and partners.
• Ability and willingness to work in a fast-paced work environment and a start-up atmosphere.
• Ability to work in a professional environment and show maturity in the workplace.
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with a variety of people.
• Excellent writing skills.
• A passion for Young Invincibles’ mission.

How do I apply and what is the review process?

• March 10th: Application process opens.
• April 6th: Applications due by April 6th, 5:00 pm EST to Cristina.Rivera@younginvincibles.org
• April 13th – April 16th: Phone interviews for final candidates.
• April 20th: Offers will be made to those selected to join the YI Scholars Fellowship Program. 

Applying is easy! Please submit the following items by April 6th, 2015 (5:00 pm EST) to Cristina Rivera at Cristina.Rivera@YoungInvincibles.org. A review committee will review all applications and inform applicants if they proceeded to the first round of interviews by April 13th, 2015. The subject line should read: [Your name] Application for YI Scholars

1. Your current resume with current contact information.
2. A one – two-page writing sample – Writing samples or excerpts from college essays or writing projects are acceptable.
3. Three professional and/or educational references.
4. Your answer to both the following two essay questions:

(500-word limit per question)

A. Young Invincibles advocates for Millennials on 3 core economic issues: access to health care, higher education, and jobs. Please choose one of those issues and 1) describe what you think is the biggest challenge that our generation faces around that issue, and b) provide an analysis as to why someone might disagree with you.

B. What has motivated you to pursue your degree in higher education? (We want to get to know you! Feel free to expand on your background, educational, and career goals and/or personal aspirations. Your answers will only be viewable by the selection committee.)

Young Invincibles is an equal employment opportunity employer and strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply. Young Invincibles does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy), gender, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, medical condition including genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, (including transgender status), weight, height, linguistic characteristics (such as accent and limited English proficiency, where not substantially job-related), citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by law.