SOAR Photographer Internship Description

SOAR for Youth, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was established in 2009 to provide high-quality support, opportunities, and rapport that foster youth would have otherwise received from their parents. SOAR helps foster youth move through adolescence and into their adult lives with confidence and independence. Through a four-year summer residential pre-collegiate program and additional years of sustained support, SOAR teaches, coaches, and counsels our young people in academics, life skills, leadership, emotional intelligence, and career development. This is where YOU come in play!
Do you have a passion for photography AND want to be a mentor to foster youth?

New for 2020, SOAR is looking for a Counselor (Photography Major/Intern or Professional) that would accompany our youth and counselors 24/7 during the Summer Academy at UC Berkeley to capture moments and create video memorabilia for years to come! While accompanying the cohort, you will naturally work with the youth and become a mentor to them as well. You will be invited to participate in all programs during the Summer Academy, but have a role of photographer (maybe social media-ist) instead of a Counselor, which you will be referenced as. Counselors are the “heart & soul” of the Summer Academies and Staying Connected Events, and in every case will determine each youth’s degree of enjoyment of, as well as benefit from, the SOAR Program. Counselors work to help facilitate a positive academy experience for youths in their care. All Counselors are expected to model positive conflict resolution skills, participation in academy activities, and a positive attitude. Our staff-to-youth ratio is at least 1:4 so that Counselors may work with youth one-on-one when the need arises.

Photographer Intern Responsibilities:
  • Model positive behavior at the academy, encouraging positive conflict resolution, appropriate hygiene, respect for academy rules, etc…
  • Respect the rules and expectations set by the Staff/Lead Counselor and support the activity by modeling participation
  • Communicate any serious threats to the Lead Counselor and find ways to mitigate the threats
  • Capture memorable moments during academy programs
  • Edit and process pictures to create an online photo book that can be viewed by Day and Event
  • Create memorabilia videos for youth and counselor video yearbook/montage for distribution and website
  • Create marketing videos that can be used for various marketing purposes (general marketing, volunteer and youth recruitment, fundraising, etc…)
  • [Optional] Social Media Management
  • [Optional] Social Media Content Creation
  • Any violent or illegal activities on academy property that are prohibited in the Memo of Understanding are considered serious threats – this includes using drugs or alcohol, a serious fight, bringing knives or weapons
Photographer Intern Qualifications:
  • Must be Junior or Older in College
  • Pass a Live Scan and Criminal Background Clearance Check through DOJ
  • Ability to Work with Youth
  • Positive Attitude and Respectful Demeanor
  • Active/Current CPR and First-Aid Certified through Accredited Organization
  • Positive Reference Checks
  • [Preferred] Car with Clean Driving Records
  • [Preferred] Prior Working Experience with Foster Youth
  • [Preferred] Bachelor’s Degree or Enrolled in Video, Photography, Film, or Similar Major
Summer 2020 Academy Dates & Availability:

Sunday 6/14 – Saturday 6/20 – SOAR to College (4th Year) – (Photographer Intern Open)
Sunday 6/21 – Saturday 6/27 – Time to SOAR (3rd Year) – (Photographer Intern Open)
Sunday 7/5 – Saturday 7/11 – Learn to SOAR (2nd Year) – (Photographer Intern Open)
Sunday 7/26 – Saturday 8/1 – Prepare to SOAR (1st Year) – (Photographer Intern Open)

Photographer Intern Compensation/Stipend:

This is an INTERNSHIP role, so there is no compensation. However, SOAR for Youth will provide ROOM AND MEALS during the entire duration of the Summer Academy. You will have a single/private room in the Dorms and will eat all meals with the group. You are expected to capture all moments during the camp, but you are not required to stay or be present the entire day. If you need to leave to run errands, class, etc…, you can go, as long as you ensure someone will take pictures during your absence. If you do require a stipend, it can be discussed, but not likely a high dollar amount.

Interested to Apply or Questions?

Email a Cover Letter (Including Why SOAR), Resume, Role/Academy Availability, and Completed SOAR for Youth Employment Application to richard.yu@www.soarforyouth.org!