Purpose
The First Alaskans Institute (FAI) 2024 Summer Internship Program (SIP) places Alaska Native, American Indian, Indigenous and rural community members and students into organizations around Alaska to provide leadership growth and employment experience and exploration. The program is designed to help those who show a high level of community leadership and commitment prepare for their careers, further or advance their education or training, and engage in other professional opportunities that strengthen their ability to help serve and advance our Alaska Native community. Priority placement is given to juniors, seniors and recent graduates in college or vocational school, graduate students, and/or community members whose life experience and work history showcase a commitment to serving our Native peoples but have not enrolled in higher education. At a bare minimum, applicants must be high school graduates or equivalent. Continuing to build upon 15 years of proven success in developing dynamic and connected Native leaders, this one-of-a-kind experience strengthens the next generation of Indigenous leaders through a unique curriculum harmonizing Native knowledge and history, transferable business skills, and community-based advocacy training while providing hands-on experiential learning in career fields relevant to each intern’s pursuits and employer’s interests.