Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Internship

We anticipate the next internship will be offered for the 2021 fall semester. Look for updates in May 2021. Below you will see a decription of the spring 2021 internship.

Description

Work with Dolly Parton's nonprofit, Dollywood Foundation (DWF) to assist with planning, communication, project management, and execution of our conference for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library local community partners, which will be held in June 2021. The spring internship is remote and runs from February 1 through May 31, 2021.

Detailed Responsibilities

Join the foundation's great team! Support the team by being an extra set of hands with varied work opportunity and experiences!

Project Management: 25%

• Develop project checklist and timeline.
• Manage timeline and activities.
• Weekly updates to team—identify upcoming action items, items behind schedule.

Writing/Communication: 50%

• Assist with DWF presentation content creation and standardization of submitted presentations.
• Draft scripts for DWF Team.
• Pair with 10 - 15 presenters to act as an instructional designer to achieve compelling presentations. The result will be crisp, targeted, well-organized content.
• Create content and deliver communication for sponsors and attendees through various means such as newsletters and social media.
• Design and cultivate online event webpage. Share agendas, compile presentations, and post information submitted by attendees. Make it a virtual learning hub where people can go—before, during, and after the event—for content and ideas. Add fun elements!
• Develop attendee evaluation—include questions on each session, over all experience, etc.
• Create a 'Tips for Participating' document.
• Assist in production of short video messages from Dolly Parton and keynote speakers.

Execution 25%

• Assist with collection of prerecorded presentations.
• Educate presenters on the use of chat, polling, Q&A, breakout rooms, and other strategies to actively engage participants.

Note: A Confidential Agreement will be required.

Qualifications

• Strong writing skills
• Detail oriented
• Flexible and adaptable as changes in schedule and spontaneous ideas emerge
• Ability to communicate effectively and in a professional manner
• Ability to work in close collaboration with others, remotely
• Comfortable approaching stakeholders, asking questions, and quickly gathering accurate responses
• Demonstrated experience in effective implementation of multi-channel social media
• Demonstrated experience with video presentations
• Interest in childhood literacy, inspiring children to fall in love with reading and books!

Candidate Membership Eligibility

Active Sigma Tau Delta undergraduate and graduate student members in good standing during the application period and members of chapters located within the 50 United States are eligible to apply. Members who have or will be graduating during the 2020 fall semester are also eligible to apply.

Time Commitment and Stipends

The Internship will be remote. Hours will be flexible and work around finals and school schedule. On average, the intern should expect to work ten hours per week. 

In return, the intern will receive the following stipends:

The Dolly Parton Foundation will award the intern a $750 per month stipend.

An additional $800 stipend will be awarded by Sigma Tau Delta and distributed according to the following schedule:

• February 28 - $200
• March 31 - $200
• April 30 - $200
• May 31 - $200

Application Guidelines

In the application you will be asked to prepare and submit the following materials.
Attachments must be titled in the order of "last name, first name, document title.

1. Your Resume (docx or pdf)
   

   Name your File according to this example:
   SmithMaryResume.docx or pdf

2. Application Materials (docx or pdf combined in one document)
   

   Name your File according to this example:
   SmithMaryApplication.docx or pdf

Review Process

Applications will be submitted through the NIU USI, and vetted for membership before being sent to The Dollywood Foundation for their review and selection.

Members of The Dollywood Foundation Leadership Team will review and interview the candidates who make it to the final round.

Blog Requirement

Following the internship, the internship recipient is required to submit an article (400-600 words) for WordybyNature, the official Society blog, sharing such things as how the internship contributed to their professional growth or field of study; its impact on their future career plans; and the importance of the funding to the internship experience.

Blog Guidelines

Application Dates

The link for applying will be posted here between November 11 and 30. The internship will be awarded in January 2021.

Application Deadline and Notification

The application deadline is Monday, November 30, 2020, 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST). Questions regarding the online submission process should be addressed to sigmatdapply@niu.edu.

Internship Application Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Documents as show in the Application Guidelines

Step 2: Online Account Set-up

This application period ended on November 30, 2020.

You already have an online account if you have previously:

• submitted a paper or roundtable proposal for the 2020 or prior international convention
• registered for the international convention (2020 or prior)
• submitted a paper for the Sigma Tau Delta journals (2020 or prior)

To access your account use the same email address and password you used previously. If you have forgotten your account, select Forgot your password. You will receive an email to create a new password.

If you do not have an online acount, you must first set up your account. Create a password containing at least five characters.

All confirmations and follow-up communication will be sent to the email address you used to set up your account.

Step 3: Dashboard

The dashboard describes the instructions for the documents you will upload.

On the left click

+ Add Proposal

Step 4: Add Proposal

Title

In the Title box, type in your full name in order of  "last name, first name."

Example: Smith, Mary

Choose files to Upload

Click the Browse button to select you second file (your resume), then click the Attach button.

Attachments must be titled in the order of "last name, first name, document title."

Example:
SmithMaryResume.doc or docx

Other Information

Complete all the following information fields:

• Chapter State
• Chapter School - select from pull down menu
• Chapter Advisor's Email
• Chapter Advisor Name (first and last name)*
• Anticipated Graduation Year
• Induction Semester
• Induction Year
• Academic Status

* See Chapter Directory. Chapter/Faculty Advisors are included within the chapter listing.

Click Save and Continue button at the bottom of the page.

Step 6: Contributors

• Select an account. In the box displaying your account click the + sign.
• A pop-up box will appear.
  Select Role - Applicant
  Complete all other fields.

Click: Add Contributor at the bottom of the page.

On the next page click: Save & Contiue at the bottom of the page.

Step 7: Review & Finish

• Review the information, make any necessary edits.
• Review and Check Session "I agree to the Terms & Conditions."

Email Confirmation

Email confirmations will be sent out on November 16, 23, 30, and December 1. If you have questions regarding the online submission process should be addressed to sigmatdapply@niu.edu.

Editing

You may edit your submission up until the submission deadline.

• Login
• In the box listing your name click on the edit icon and follow through the form. Be sure to submit and continue through the entire form to ensure your changes are submitted.