ABOUT SECOND CHANCE STUDIOS
Second Chance Studios (SCS) is a nonprofit digital media company that trains and employs formerly incarcerated individuals. Through a full-time, paid fellowship, participants learn essential on-the-job skills and once trained will run a full-service digital media studio delivering video production and audio engineering services. SCS leverages the explosive growth in the new media industry to bring economic empowerment to returning citizens, their families, and communities.
The SCS model is built on three pillars:
- Experiential Learning: Program participants (“Fellows”) learn essential on-the-job skills by running a full-service digital media studio that will have on-site podcast and video production equipment.
- Mentorship: Fellows will be paired one-on-one with a mentor who is an expert in their field. Fellows will spend time on-site at their mentor’s company, learning their craft from a successful practitioner.
- Job Placement: Once graduated from the program, Fellows will receive job placement assistance, coaching, and a bridge to employment through employer partnerships.
SCS’ launch was covered in Forbes and Fast Company and coincided with a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over $60,000 from more than 400 backers. We’re nearing the end of our inaugural Fellowship program and will be preparing for our second cohort of Fellows in the late Spring.
ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP
As Second Chance Studios builds out its core program (our Fellowship) and digital media studio - the first of its kind venture in the United States - the organization is looking to onboard interns to help drive this work forward while gaining impactful professional development.
Reporting directly to the Program Manager, interns will be responsible for various organizational projects and priorities. They will be multi-talented utility players on the team - building strong systems, collaborating with and learning from others, managing a variety of projects simultaneously, and learning to execute on a high level.
Interns are a part of the Second Chance Studios team, working closely with the staff, volunteers, program Fellows, and advisors. You can learn more about the team here.
This is a part-time internship, working 5-20 hours/week maximum. While the role is normally based in New York, NY and requires consistent work at the studio, we are also currently offering remote internships.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work closely with the team to develop relationships with corporate and community partners interested in supporting SCS through employment opportunities, donations, or in-kind support.
- Conduct online research and compile data to support various initiatives and campaigns, including key partnerships in and adjacent to the criminal justice and reentry community.
- Support intake and preparation for meetings with prospective funders and partners.
- Design and deliver communications and marketing materials, including pitch decks, one-pagers, newsletters, the organization's Squarespace website, and other collateral.
- Develop and oversee operational infrastructure, systems, and processes that ensure effective program delivery.
- Manage the organization’s social media strategy and create content for social media channels to increase support for SCS’ work.
- Collaborate on key projects such as studio procurement and design or organizational budget research.
- Compile and enter data related to outreach and communication with supporters into Salesforce.
- Assist with special projects, as assigned by the CEO, including event planning and more.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
First and foremost, interns must share the team’s sense of urgency about the need to build meaningful opportunities for systems-impacted people, namely those who were formerly incarcerated. The ideal candidate will have the following experience, though we will consider exceptional candidates from all backgrounds:
- Undergraduate or graduate student in related area (GPA of 3.0 or higher preferred. but not required), recent grad, or someone who prefers hands-on learning to school
- Excellent oral and written communication/presentation skills
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, start-up, or entrepreneurial environment; experience in criminal justice reform is a plus, but not necessary
- Exceptional organizational skills with strong attention to detail and follow-through while working under pressure.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strong time management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines
- Excellent computer skills, including Google Apps (e.g. Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.) capabilities
- Ability to work autonomously and take direction as needed
- Ability to work well in a team; exceptional ability to build strong working relationships
- Demonstrated commitment to the potential and importance of “second chances”
- Working knowledge of or commitment to learning pertinent social impact issues a plus, e.g., racial and economic justice, post-incarceration reentry, immigration, etc
- Experience with digital marketing tools and social media strategy (preferred)
COMPENSATION & PERKS
The goal of this internship program is to identify and grow talented emerging leaders, while giving them the opportunity to apply their skills, passions, and interests to building a new company focused on social justice.
While this internship is currently unpaid, successful applicants will obtain valuable experiential learning that includes insightful mentoring, resume building, professional development, access to a global network, professional recommendations, and exposure to the nonprofit environment.
Below are a few additional things we think you'll enjoy.
- Hands-on learning and real-world experience
- Super fun, casual work environment
- Opportunity to grow professionally
- Flexible hours and ability to work remotely
- Possibility of obtaining school credit for your work
- Opportunity to obtain stellar letters of recommendation
- Access to a global network of industry leaders and innovators