Launch Fishers creates intern boot camp to grow entrepreneurial brand
FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) — Fishers used a boot camp this week to help grow its entrepreneurial reputation.
With the sound of a bell, Fishers students could upgrade their summer plans in a matter of minutes. More than 30 Hamilton Southeastern Schools (HSE) students met with 14 employers Friday, each with a shot at an internship.
“It was definitely pretty intimidating, but it’s great to meet them and create that connection,” HSE student Nick Bisesi said.
“We learned lot of lessons from confidence versus coolness,” HSE graduate Nailah Owens-Johnson said. “Just a lot of things that I didn’t necessarily know before.”
It’s part of the Launch Fishers high school fellowship program. All week students met with local owners, with the goal of half of them being placed with companies.
“It’s very interactive, very hands on and it’s a chance to get out of the book and out of the theory and really more into the hands on world of the entrepreneur,” Launch Fishers CEO John Wechsler said.
Launch Fishers officials know summer is critical for these students, especially when it comes to earning money, that’s why those participating won’t go away empty handed. They’ll get $10 an hour, with $5 coming from the city and the business picking up the other half.
The fellowship program isn’t only rewarding for students.
“They come in and they got fresh thoughts and fresh ideas,” Recovery Force Executive vice president Brian Stasey said.
Students will go to meetings, help design product and give input. “I think these kids would definitely have a huge leg up over anybody else who’s not done something like this.”
Exactly why these students say it’s worth the interview stress.
“Being able to come into a startup and see what’s going on and also being paid is great,” Bisesi said.
“I got lessons in business from classes before, but this time I got to do it hands on,” Owens-Johnson said.
Students will start work Monday. The internship will last eight weeks.
They can work up to 240 hours which means they could make $2,400, in addition to valuable experience.