Workplace VIPs: Virtual Work Experience for America s Heroes

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1 Workplace VIPs: Virtual Work Experience for America s Heroes I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. - Christopher Reeve What is an Internship? An internship is a meaningful work-related learning event for individuals who wish to develop hands on work experience in a particular occupational field. 1

2 Program Objectives Facilitate an opportunity for active duty service-members, in extended medical recovery/rehab phase as a result of war related injury or illness, to gain practical real-life work experience; consistent with their locality, mobility and commuting requirements. Background: American Heroes Program Exploratory committee originally formed in 2005 to access feasibility of implementation and develop interagency partnerships Targeted to active duty service-members in extended medical recovery/rehab phase, as a result of war related injury or illness Physical internships within localities of choice, using state and local assets to open doors of opportunity 3 to 18 months, non-paid work internship to gain federal civilian agency exposure and experience Traditional vs. Emerging Interning Trends Traditional Corporate directed and resourced Singular in focus (designated program office) High application; low acceptance Specific occupations and disciplines Controlled contribution Physical and geographical barriers Emerging Self-directed and resourced (corporate support) Crosses functions and programs High volume of applicants acceptable Multi-disciplined Project oriented contribution Non-existent physical and geographical barriers 2

3 Planting the Seed What about a Virtual Internship? A virtual internship is: The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to enable participants to tele-work; performing meaningful workrelated tasks, sharing learning experiences and collaborating within cyber communities with peers and practicing professionals, to explore, research and problem solve issues of organizational importance What is a Virtual Internship? Utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to engage and enable selective participants to share learning experiences and collaborate within project communities. Participants communicate with peers and practicing professionals, to explore, research and problem solve meaningful work-related issues of organizational importance in a certain occupational field. Why Virtual Internships? Physical Internship assignments are (frequently) based upon a person s (existing) working situation which drives the assignment and locality. Shifting workplace priorities and workforce dynamics. Open source sharing identifies best solutions to organizational challenges through project communities and/or communities of practice. Virtual collaboration is an emerging practice for interfacing and engaging best knowledge to deliver best solutions. 3

4 Organizational Benefits Delivers regional mobility without physical displacement Advances new competencies and learning platforms Supports clinical and vocational service-member rehabilitation programs Eliminates outside expenses and costs associated with an in-house office set-up Introduces prospective employees to organization s operations and functions Participant Benefits Builds a publicly visible portfolio of work Minimizes interruption to medical rehabilitation needs Provides unparalleled flexibility Combines studies, work and socialization Enhances network of open source communities Exposes participant to multiple disciplines and real world issues Potential Work-experience Areas for VIP Portal Planning Administration Finance Operations Acquisition Contracting Policy Information Management Customer Support/Service Training Any job that has a telecommute component has the potential for providing virtualized work experience. 4

5 How It Works Work Sponsor VIP Participant Work Coordinator Work Collaborators VIP Portal Portal contains centralized listing with brief descriptions of open source projects Timeline of project Participant qualifications Resource requirements Project Leader Project Collaborators Link to application process Application Process Applicants review portals and identify projects of interest Complete application form and or fax to project leader for consideration Required items in application packet: Completed application Cover letter Writing sample List of relevant coursework or experience Interview with Project Leader and Collaborators Upon selection, introduced to project collaborators and provided more detailed work description outlining performance expectations Basic Eligibility Requirements Active duty service-member in medical rehabilitation program as a result of service in Iraq or Afghanistan Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office) Ability to communicate effectively in English Can do attitude Ability to work autonomously using Information Communication Technology (ICT) All applicants who met the basic eligibility requirements were encouraged to apply for virtual intern opportunities. 5

6 Internship Timeline Will not exceed 12 weeks (three months) Start and end dates established prior to acceptance of internship A successful internship will depend on meeting predetermined goals and or quality of the work produced Potential Partnerships Department of Labor and Office of Personnel Management REAL LIFELINES Possible inclusion of Virtual Internships on USAJobs Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) Program Coming Home to Work Program Veteran s Administration Vocational Rehabilitation Program Operation War-fighter Program Process Summary 6

7 Program Goals Program expansion to targeted disabilities and family members of disabled within 2-3 years. Cross-over potential in areas of recruitment, professional development, life-long learning and international programs will diversify program utility. Next Steps Form cross-functional project team to study piloting. Suggestive structure: HR Representative (EA/Recruitment) IT/IM Representative Disability Coordinator Leadership Team Representative (Champion) AW2 and Sister Agencies Representatives Office of Civil Rights Representative Legal Counsel Representative Mistakes are the portals of discovery. -James Joyce 7

8 What we learned Success and failure. We think of them as opposites, but they're really not. They're companions - the hero and the sidekick. - Laurence Shames Stay focused on the objective Ensure capacity Manage inflow and outflow Market the program to all organization levels Stay engaged through the highs and lows Recognize program champions and participants It is the American story a story of flawed and fallible people, united across the generations by grand and enduring ideals. The grandest of these ideals is an unfolding American promise that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, that no insignificant person was ever born. - George W. Bush 8