The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation’s internship programs connect primarily young people of color to meaningful work experiences, helping them build professional networks, and increase professional and technical skills. Gaps in social capital and work-based learning experiences that already exist between these students and their White counterparts were exacerbated by reduced opportunities as internships were less available during the pandemic.
This made the program as important as ever, but COVID-19 significantly impacted the organization’s ability to cover the full cost of the summer internship program. With support from WDI funding, the Navy Yard retained 50 summer internships, which were either in-person or virtual based on necessary health precautions. Interns had the opportunity to attend professional development sessions, including virtual networking and industry panels. Despite the shift to virtual, the Brooklyn Navy Yard team also interviewed all 900 summer internship applicants as a professional development opportunity.
The internships that were offered were tightly aligned to each student’s area of study and career interest, including manufacturing, art, fashion, technology, architecture, nonprofit work, and culinary arts. Job roles included marketing, engineering, graphic design, computer science, and business administration. Seven students were hired upon completion of their internships and will be valuable assets to businesses in helping them restart operations and return to productivity.
