Looking Forward to Summer, Raise Interns are on Campus
By Senior Public Relations Specialist Tara Carey
The summer sunshine beams across the Alaska Native Health Campus, and Raise interns are full of excitement as they begin exploring and experiencing career and cultural opportunities offered at Southcentral Foundation. With the summer internship program in full swing, you will find the interns learning valuable workforce skills in departments across campus.
Former Raise intern Marlee Leu holds a freshly caught salmon while visiting an educational fishery made available by Kenaitze Indian Tribe and Salamatof Native Association.
Before embarking on their internships, the youth attend an orientation and choose the area they wish to focus on during the summer. The interns also learn how to apply for jobs and complete job applications.
While exploring career options in health care or administrative-related fields, interns attend classes that focus on life skills, workforce development, and culture.
Raise interns also have the unique opportunity to attend cultural classes where they learn to bead and make traditional kuspuks and drums.
Emergency trauma technology training is also offered. The emergency trauma technology training introduces interns to the field of health care. It is a hands-on course that teaches medical terminology, CPR, and the assessment and treatment of illnesses and injuries. Upon completion, interns earn a certificate of completion that meets the requirements for State of Alaska ETT or First Responder certification.
The Raise Program holds an Administrative Support Training Program boot camp for interns who are 16 years and older. It focuses on developing administrative skills to assist interns be successful in their careers.
After a summer immersed in learning about health and administrative-related careers, the interns shift gears. They participate in subsistence fishing practices and visit the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s educational fishery during a field trip to Spirit Lake on the Kenai Peninsula.
While reflecting on her own internship experience, former Raise intern Marlee Leu stated, “The Raise Program was a great opportunity, and I made great friends and memories during my time there. My favorite part was definitely the camping trip!”
The end-of-season field trip allows the interns to take in the wonders of nature, learn traditional practices from Elders, and enjoy storytelling. The Raise summer program draws to a close each August, and the excitement among interns continues as they head off to their next adventures in school, work, and life.
For more information about the Raise Program, call (907) 729-5015 or visit www.southcentralfoundation.com/careers/raise-program.
