Most college students have the common goal of scoring a reputable internship in their field of study. Whether it's in business, technology or medicine, an internship offers students the opportunity to apply the knowledge they learned in the classroom to real-world experiences or a professional setting. Internships can be a measure of proactive career growth as students tend to meet and work alongside people who can set them up for future opportunities.
For some applicants, the choice of which internship program to apply for is made on the basis of whether or not a corporation supports diversity and inclusion initiatives in its company culture. Many applicants prefer to search for opportunities within companies that have a mission and goals that align with their personal perspectives and diverse viewpoints.
For students looking to contribute to a forward-moving culture, Ally is a perfect fit because diversity and inclusion lie within its core values. The company has initiatives and outreach programs year-round to help students succeed in their field of interest by encouraging them to become the best professional-in-the-making that they can be.
Ally is dedicated to being a driving force of change by making sure that everyone grows — no matter their culture or background. As a foundational aspect of the brand, Ally values the diverse talent and learning opportunities that come through their recruiting efforts and initiatives such as the student entrepreneur competition “Moguls in the Making.”
Ally provides students with the chance to sharpen their skills for their future careers through real-world scenarios and first-hand experience. In return, Ally receives insightful long-term knowledge that benefits its perspective as a company. It’s these symbiotic relationships that are a core value of the company.
Most recently through its collaboration with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Sean Anderson Foundation, Ally hosted 50 students from 10 publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and offered them an opportunity of a lifetime to compete in the Moguls in the Making competition. Students developed a business plan that would theoretically tackle education, employment and real estate issues in the city of Detroit.
Moguls in the Making was created as a way to address the fact that only one percent of venture capital-backed startups have black founders, although Black people represent 13 percent of the U.S. population. The winning team of five students from Florida A&M University won the initial internship offering. As an opportunity to expand their reach and help students grow, CEO Jeffrey (JB) Brown, offered internship placement to all students who participated in the competition. Fifteen future entrepreneurs accepted and continued their work relating to economic mobility, financial services, entrepreneurship and innovation within the company.
By gaining career development skills, students were equipped with the knowledge to address current challenges in an ever-changing industry by opening new doors that not only benefit the company but the world. Creating an inclusive environment is something all companies can benefit from, and Ally is one of those companies. Ally continues to express its mission authentically — which is to have a work environment that reflects the world in which we live.
Having trouble finding an internship that fits you? Check out these three tips on how students can learn about and apply for diverse opportunities similar to those that Ally offers:
1. Share your goals with a professor or faculty member.
Talking to your professor is a great way for you to learn about various companies’ diverse internships and programs. Surprisingly, many students don’t realize that developing a relationship on campus with people like their professors is a form of networking. Professors tend to have long-term relationships with experts and professionals in their fields that can possibly help you get access to the opportunities of your dreams.
2. Research company mentorship programs.
Some companies have mentorship programs that offer minorities exposure to diverse talent and opportunities at their companies. These efforts expose students to how companies value diversity and representation, which can help students decide whether they want to pursue a career at the company.
3. Research diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Like Ally, some companies offer diversity initiatives to attract underserved applicants and future employees. Searching for internships that encourage diversity is a great way to get your foot in the door.
Corporate internships offer students valuable insight into their future career paths. To see how the students in Ally’s Moguls in the Making internship program brought value to the company and how the program impacted them, watch their documentary below. Also, check out Ally’s community hub and YouTube page.
This piece is brought to you in collaboration with Ally.
