We know how competitive the job market is in this economy. For this reason, we are excited to share this internship opportunity for high school juniors and seniors brought to us by the Volunteer Center of North Texas. Check it out:

Want to make $2,100 AND make a difference this summer? Apply today to be part of the ExxonMobil Green Team program.  All applications are due January 14. Please see attached for application and guidelines.

ExxonMobil Green Team is an eight-week summer youth initiative that provides paid internships for high school students. Programs vary from city to city, but all Ambassadors (interns) involved in this program work on a project to better the community in which they live.  In Dallas, up to 50 Ambassador positions are available and students will be involved in a variety of activities. Throughout the summer, Ambassadors work in teams of three to five to develop environmentally-focused projects for local nonprofit organizations with the goal of increasing awareness of conservation and environmentalism.

Throughout the summer, Green Team Ambassadors attend classes at Southern Methodist University related to environmental issues and professional and academic development. Ambassadors also participate in weekly environmentally-focused field trips and sessions centered on leadership, teamwork and critical thinking skills. In addition, Ambassadors will develop and implement an environmentally-focused service project as a group.

In 2009, Ambassadors interned with a variety of nonprofits including Central Dallas Ministries, Trinity River Audubon Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Dallas and Texas Discovery Gardens. Ambassadors have planned and coordinated environmental-education days for summer camp participants; taught children living in apartment communities how to incorporate conservation practices as well as conducted research on water conservation ordinances and residential recycling habits.

Since its launch in 1981, ExxonMobil has invested $6.3 million in the Dallas program. With the completion of the 2009 program, the ExxonMobil Green Team has reached more than 3,400 students, impacting the community through work with various local nonprofits.

Ambassador Criteria

Students interested in applying for the 2010 summer program must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Enrolled as a high school junior or senior in Dallas County (as of the 2009-10 school year)
• Available to participate in the eight-week program from June 11 – August 6
• Provide/arrange daily transportation to and from all Green Team activities

Application Guidelines

The application is attached (or can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.vcnt.org/vcnt_programs_student_programs_green_team.html).  Please read the document entitled “2010 Ambassador Application Guidelines” before submitting the application and for additional information.

Each application must include:

• Personal essay (maximum of 500 words)
• Letter of Recommendation

Ambassador applications and supporting documentation must be mailed to the Volunteer Center of North Texas and postmarked no later than Thursday, January 14, 2010.  NO EXCEPTIONS! Faxed and/or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

If you have any questions, please contact Christian Yazdanpanah, Student Programs Manager, at 214-826-6767 ext. 236 or cyazdanpanah@vcnt.org.