YWCA - Internship-Dress for Success and Workforce Development

Internship Purpose

Dress for Success Nashville, a program of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, supports women as they prepare for employment, strengthen their careers and work toward greater economic stability. Through professional styling, career development, workforce navigation, financial education, community referrals and ongoing support, we help women move from preparing for an opportunity to building long-term success.

The Dress for Success Nashville & Workforce Development Intern will support the day-to-day work of Dress for Success Nashville and its connection to YWCA's broader EmpowerHER workforce development services. This internship offers hands-on experience in nonprofit programming, client services, workforce development, volunteer engagement, community outreach and program operations.

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Responsibilities

The intern may assist with:

• Welcoming clients and helping create a supportive, professional and empowering experience

• Assisting clients with professional styling and selecting clothing for interviews, employment and career advancement

• Supporting appointment scheduling, client communication and participant follow-up

• Connecting clients with EmpowerHER career services, workshops, resources and community referrals

• Supporting resume, job search, interview preparation and other workforce development activities as appropriate

• Assisting with Dress for Success boutique organization, inventory and donation operations

• Supporting volunteers during client appointments, special projects and events

• Helping coordinate clothing drives, inventory sales, volunteer projects, workshops and other Dress for Success and EmpowerHER activities

• Maintaining accurate program records, calendars and participant data

• Researching employment, training, education and community resources that may benefit participants

• Supporting outreach to referral partners, employers, community organizations and prospective volunteers

• Assisting with program awareness, storytelling and electronic or social media communications

• Helping develop resources and materials that strengthen the client experience

• Supporting special projects related to women's workforce development and economic mobility

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Ideal Candidate

We welcome undergraduate or graduate students interested in areas such as social work, nonprofit management, human services, workforce development, business, communications, marketing, fashion merchandising or related fields.

Strong candidates will:

• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Be comfortable working directly with women from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences

• Approach clients with respect, empathy and professionalism

• Be organized, dependable and able to manage multiple priorities

• Demonstrate appropriate judgment, confidentiality and professional boundaries

• Be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively

• Have an interest in women's economic mobility, workforce development and community-based services

• Bring creativity and enthusiasm to client engagement, events, outreach or program operations

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Learning Opportunities

Through this internship, students may gain experience in:

• Women's workforce development and economic mobility programming

• Dress for Success Nashville's 5 D's: Dream, Dress, Develop, Drive and Donate

• Client engagement and strengths-based service delivery

• Career navigation and employment support

• Nonprofit program operations and data management

• Volunteer coordination and engagement

• Community partnerships and referral networks

• Event and project logistics

• Marketing, outreach and program awareness

• Professional styling and the role of clothing in confidence and workplace preparation

• YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee programs, mission and approach to advancing opportunities for women and families

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About YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee

YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Through programs serving women, children, youth and families, YWCA works to create opportunities for safety, education, economic mobility and long-term success.

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