Call for Applications! Summer Leadership Academy

The Leadership Academy for CS and Engineering Undergraduates - Thriving in Internships and Early Careers is currently looking for applicants for their 6-week, online, interactive program!!

The Leadership Academy program focuses on building capabilities that help students thrive in internships and early careers. It focuses on professional development/ leadership skills beyond academic and technical skills, particularly those that are critical to success in tech and engineering workplaces.

The Call for Applications is open and decisions on acceptance will be made on a rolling basis- the last date to apply is June 10th.

During this 6-week, online, synchronous interactive program called the Leadership Academy, students:

• Become familiar with the top hurdles graduates face in making a successful transition to an internship or job– Feedback, Accountability, and Relationships

• Learn to communicate their personal story – one that guides others to see their value, and connects to the values of the organization

• Learn and practice negotiation and other highly valued leadership skills

• Develop awareness of key workplace processes – e.g., how impact is created by new professionals, and how performance and potential are assessed

• Learn from examples from the lived experiences of wise women and minorities who are succeeding in tech/engineering – how did they find solutions to the same challenges?

• Expand students’ networks by connecting with experienced professionals from diverse tech backgrounds and industries

• Find internships and employment opportunities

• Participate in a year-long mentorship relationship with one or more industry professionals during the academic year 2021-22.

The core of the program involves teaching students to apply a growth mindset and to build new skills in order to thrive in college and in internships, and later apply them strategically to launch their early careers.

The program is free for students!

Program Details:

• July 12 - August 20, 2021 online (synchronously) 3 afternoons a week for a 3-hour block.

• 15-20 hours per week, including class time, class preparation, interactive exercises, and invited speakers.

• Free of cost for students; there will be scholarships available to offset costs associated with attending the academy instead of working during that time.

• Eligibility:

  • Undergraduate students, who have declared (or intend to declare) majors in computer science, technology or engineering fields

  • Students from groups that are historically underrepresented in tech and engineering: all women, men of color who are Black, Latinx, Native American or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA students, first-generation college students, students with disabilities, etc.

• Applications are being accepted now and will remain open until June 7. Decisions on acceptance will be made on a rolling basis. The number of seats is limited so please apply early. The application form is short.

You can find out more at the website and application link here.

You can also watch a 4-minute video with sharing from last year's graduates: http://bit.ly/IDS-Leadership.

The organizers are also very approachable and excited to work with students and answer any questions – you can email the creator of the curriculum Rati Thanawala at rati.thanawala@gmail.com or the administrators of the program at rebls@umass.edu.