Students who qualify for student employment find that it can be a daunting task to choose where to work. The student employment program at Rhodes offers jobs in many departments across campus. From the mailroom to the athletics offices, there is a job for you. But for those who want to branch out into the city of Memphis, the Kinney program offers dozens of positions at local nonprofits that allow students to make a difference from the day they arrive. Here are five of our favorites:
GrowMemphis—Urban Garden Apprentice
With 27 gardens and counting, GrowMemphis looks to rebuild Memphis one vacant lot at a time. An Urban Garden Apprentice would spend most of his or her time working in these gardens, located in neighborhoods across the city. This is a great job for those who love plants and don’t mind getting their hands dirty.
Stax Music Academy—Artistic Assistant
In the heyday of soul music, Stax Records was legendary. Then, the label produced the likes of Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, and Booker T. and the MGs. Now, Stax serves as both a museum and as a music academy that serves to nurture the next generation of soul legends. Stax’s after-school program, SNAP!, serves roughly 100 students from neighborhoods across the city and tutors them both artistically and academically. Students with a background in music or dance may serve as an artistic assistant, where they will help assemble lesson plans and assist in teaching the kids who are members of the program.
Urban Fellows Intern
Urban Fellows offers students the opportunity to intern with various divisions of the City of Memphis government. The office of Mayor A.C. Wharton is currently attempting to get a new organization off the ground, aptly named Colleges of Memphis, that aims to develop relationships among the students, faculty, and staff of the city’s 14 colleges and universities to promote educational and social ideals. In this position, the student would be asked to further Colleges of Memphis presence in the city, both through social media and event planning.
Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality (HOPE)
Sponsored by the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, HOPE works on issues that affect the homeless community in Memphis. In this position, a student intern would be able to perform a variety of tasks according to their skills and interests; all that is required is a desire to make a difference in the homeless community.
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
For those interested in the healthcare industry, Rhodes offers several positions at Le Bonheur, which is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the nation’s best children’s hospitals. Interns seeking managing or marketing experience will find their place here, as their positions deal with managing and recruiting volunteers for the hospital.