8/3/2009 - Aim House's new experiential internship program is taking off at a rapid pace

Aim House's new experiential internship program is taking off at a rapid pace. The program (EIP) is designed to help participants follow their passions in a regulated and constructive manner. AIM House gauges participant's interests and works out a schedule of projects and assignments focused on their interests. The first part of the internship is focused on building experience and work ethic. A participant is able to work at his or her own pace and depending on the amount of work produced, a stipend can be attached. This becomes a building block on future endeavors and will eventually lead to a job or internship in the intended field.

With the help of mentors Sam Randall and Jeff Hall, participants can become involved in a myriad of different fields and any internship can be sculpted to fit a specific, personalized discipline. For example, AIM House participant Willie White has a passion around both filmmaking and writing. Therefore, Sam was able to construct an outline detailing an internship that includes writing with aspects of film.

Willie's experience with this program has been a huge aspect of many participants' development and growth at AIM House. He had the opportunity to write weekly reviews comparing his favorite movies. He spent about two hours watching and writing notes on each movie and then another two hours writing a critique on the material. Each new piece that he writes adds experience to his resume and gives him valuable experience that rivals any English classroom. Soon, Willie will apply to newspapers and online journals where he can further exercise his writing. Willie recognizes that this will help him find a career path in the future and give him the foundation he needs to get a foothold into journalism.

The beauty of this program is that participants are able to work at their own pace. The freedom can be the path to their future or their downfall; they can sink or swim. This program equates well with AIM House in this regard because unlike an assignment or a class, there are no true deadlines, no true requirements. It is self-paced. In the real world, many of us need to find balance and self-pacing in order to succeed.

Many participants are doing very well with EIP and have already come a long way. The span of ideas that this program covers ranges from journalism, to graphic design, to rock climbing.