THE NIKKEI COMMUNITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The Nikkei Community Internship (NCI) is the best opportunity for college students to build networks, professional skills, and make an impact in the Japanese American community.
ABOUT
OVERVIEW
Occurring during the summer, our Internship is a paid, 8- week, full-time internship experience designed to help you make your mark in the community. Participants have the opportunity to intern in Southern California through Kizuna, or Northern California through the Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC) and Japantown Community Congress of San Jose (JCCSJ).
Design and implement impactful projects, meet community leaders, and build your legacy by helping to shape our community’s future in Kizuna's internship program.
Before starting the online application, please carefully review the detailed application process information in the "Ready to Apply" section below.
PROGRAM DETAILS
DURATION
June 17 - August 9, 2024
PAID POSITIONS
Each intern will receive a $$ stipend upon completion of the program. (All interns, regardless of location, receive the same stipend.)
*There is no cost or application fee to participate in NCI.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
FRIDAY, APRIL 5TH
PREVIOUS PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Click above for previous intern job descriptions for different participating organizations!
* Subject to change each year *
CAREER PREPARATION
Work experience is the most valuable asset to list on your resume. Through building professional skills, networks, and a resume-worthy full-time working experience, NCI prepares you for your future career.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
INVOLVEMENT ORIENTED
Our internship program provides the networks and skill set to be involved long after the program has been completed.
COMMUNITY LANDSCAPE
The internship program is a great way to get to know the landscape of the Japanese American community.
SUCCESS STORIES
Our graduates have gone on to do great work in the community through employee & volunteer positions. Even Kizuna was created by alumni of this program!
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"Growing up in Orange County, I didn't have much of a connection to the Japanese-American community until the Nikkei Community Internship. NCI introduced me to the many organizations and individuals that have worked for provide better opportunities my generation and inspired me to do the same. At a time when many communities are struggling to develop new leadership, NCI has now produced countless board members and community voices to ensure the Japanese American community thrives for generations to come."
- Cory Hayashi, VP Portfolio Manager at First Choice Bank, 2018 Nisei Week President, 2003 Intern
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"As a participant of the Nikkei Community Internship program, one of my fondest memories was getting to meet the community leaders that have made incredible strides for the Japanese American community. Years later I still remember the stories of passion and drive told by the dedicated pioneers that have come before us. Ultimately, it was those experiences that have helped shape me into the person I am today. Thanks to the NCI program I have made it my goal to be involved and continue serving the Japanese American community."
- Michelle Okawa, Department Coordinator, Department of Asian & Asian American Studies, CSULB, 2014 Intern
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"Through the Nikkei Community Internship, I had the opportunity to expand my network, learn professionalism skills, and create lifelong friendships, all while gaining a deeper understanding for the Japanese American community. I truly appreciated NCI’s collaborative and intergenerational environment which allowed me to learn about each Japantown’s historical significance and guided me toward ways that I can become more involved and give back to the community. As a Yonsei, I am inspired to continue learning from generations before me, and I hope to help pave a path for future generations of Japanese Americans."
- Brandon Fujii, Co-Director of UCLA Kyodo Taiko, 2018 Intern
READY TO APPLY?
In order to gain the best understanding of our candidates, our internship application utilizes a two-step process of vetting and selecting interns.
STEP 1: APPLICATION, RESUME & PERSONAL STATEMENT
You will be prompted to upload the following supporting materials as part of the online application. Please have these materials ready before starting the application.
1) Professional Resume: Resumes should include work, community involvement, and other relevant experiences. Please keep resume to one page in length and saved in a PDF format.
2) Cover Letter: Please turn in a one-page cover letter (saved in PDF format) answering the following questions.
What to Include:
1. What types of leadership and community experiences have you had, especially as they pertain to the Japanese American community?
2. With these experiences, how do you see yourself participating in the Japanese American community (short and/or long-term)?
3. Why is preserving the 3 remaining Japantowns in the U.S. important to you?
4. What do you hope to gain from the Nikkei Community Internship?
3) Letter of Recommendation: Letter must be written by someone other than a family member who can comment on your leadership skills and/or community experiences. The letter can be uploaded directly in the application or sent via email to alan@gokizuna.org.
Once these materials are ready, you can fill out and submit the online application by clicking this link or the "apply here" button below.
Please note your application will not be saved until you submit your application.
STEP 2: INTERVIEW
Candidates selected to move on to the interview stage will be given an interview time. An interview panel will ask the candidate a series of questions to better get to know the interests, skill set and qualifications of each candidate. Some candidates may be asked to attend additional interviews with participating organizations. These interviews are planned to be held via zoom.
Our students’ and staffs’ health is our top priority. Please read the COVID-19 Policy before you register for our programs.
QUESTIONS?
Please email info@gokizuna.org. Thank you!
SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY
NCI offers an opportunity to work on projects with real community impact. Interns feel a sense of satisfaction from their experience with NCI because they’ve made a difference. Interns also leave NCI with a strong sense of community needs and solutions.
