Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is NYC Ladders for Leaders? Ladders for Leaders is a nationally recognized program that offers high school and college students the opportunity to participate in paid professional summer internships with leading corporations, nonprofit organizations and government agencies in New York City. Who is Eligible? To be eligible for Ladders, you must meet the following requirements:     

Be a high school or college student between the ages of 16-22 Have a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 Be a permanent resident of one of the five boroughs of New York City Must have prior work experience, either paid or volunteer Be legally allowed to work in New York City

When will the Ladders applications be available? Ladders applications will be available on November 14, 2016. Do I have to pay any fees to apply or participate in the Ladders for Leaders Program? No. DYCD does not require a fee for applying to Ladders for Leaders. Ladders Providers, Worksites, or any other parties are not allowed to charge a fee for participation in the program.. To apply for Ladders, you only need to submit a completed application either online or in person to an authorized Ladders Provider. If selected for the program, you will need to submit further documentation to verify the information on your application. You will be responsible for obtaining and providing these documents at that point (see the list of required documents). During the course of the program, you may be responsible for your own transportation to and from work as well as your own meals. These are the only out of pocket costs that you should incur while participating in the Ladders program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the application process? There are three phases to the application process: 1. Application 2. Pre-employment workshops and mock-interviews 3. Interviews with potential Employers Participants selected into the program must complete each of the three phases. Failure to complete or attend mandatory program events will result in dismissal from the program. How do I apply for Ladders for Leaders? Fill out the application online at https://application.nycsyep.com. Then submit it electronically to the Ladders Provider of your choice. Applicants can apply to any of the authorized Ladder Providers regardless of their borough of residence. Review the list of required documents and have them ready (see Required Documents Checklist). You do not have to submit any required documents to the Ladders Provider until you have been selected for a job. What information/documents do I need to provide to complete an application? Applicants must complete all sections of the application form. This includes:    

Responding to the mandatory essay question; Providing a copy of an academic transcript; Providing your resume, which should include any of your previous and current jobs, internships, leadership roles, volunteer commitments, extracurricular activities, and club involvement; Listing a valid email address that you check frequently. If you do not have an email address, you can create a free email account at various web hosts including but not limited to www.gmail.com; www.hotmail.com; www.aol.com; www.yahoo.com; etc.

When is the deadline to submit my application? Applicants must submit copies of transcripts, proof of college enrollment (if applicable), and their completed applications NO LATER THAN 11:59 p.m. (EST) on February 17th, 2017 to one of six (6) participating Community Based Organizations. Applicants can apply to any of the authorized Ladder Providers regardless of their borough of residence.      

Central Queens YM-YWHA – QUEENS & MANHATTAN Chinese-American Planning Council - MANHATTAN FEDCAP Rehabilitation Services – MANHATTAN Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island- BROOKLYN PENCIL, Inc. –MANHATTAN United Activities Unlimited, Inc.- STATEN ISLAND

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will I receive a receipt confirming that I have submitted a Ladders application? Yes. If you are submitting an online application, you will be given an opportunity to print out a receipt and the completed application. What happens after I submit my application? All applications will be reviewed for eligibility. Those accepted into the program will be contacted by email to attend the pre-employment program. YOU MUST attend all pre-employment events in order to be referred to a partnering company for an interview for a possible internship. Please keep in mind that submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the NYC Ladders for Leaders program or placement in a summer internship position. How long is the Pre-employment training and what it entails? Depending on prior work experience, participants must attend up to 30 hours of unpaid preemployment workshops at the provider’s discretion any time before the start of internship. Preemployment training provides Participants opportunities to explore career interests and help them become familiar with the education and training requirements for different types of jobs. What is a Ladders Provider? Ladders for Leaders is run by Community Based Organizations that are authorized to operate the program. They provide application intake and enrollment, pre-employment training and job placements for the Ladders Participants that are part of their program. They are the only organizations to which you may submit your Ladders application. When you apply for Ladders, you will have the opportunity to select the Ladders Provider that you would like to work for. You can view a list of Ladders Providers on this website. When will Ladders start? The internship portion of the Ladder for Leaders program is six weeks and will begin on July 3rd, 2016 and continue through August 11th, 2016. The pre-employment program may take place at any time before start of internship at the provider’s discretion. How many hours can the youth work? Depending on the needs of the employer, youth can work between 25-40 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much do the internships pay? Salaries vary. Internships pay at minimum the New York State minimum wage or higher. Can I submit more than one Ladders application? Does it increase my chances to be selected for a job? No, only the first application submitted will be accepted. Submitting multiple applications may disqualify you from the program. How can I check on the status of my Ladders application? Visit the DYCD website (www.nyc.gov/dycd) and follow the instructions, or contact the authorized Ladders Provider where you submitted your application. Do I need Working Papers? Yes. If you are selected for a Ladders position and you are under the age of 18 (as of July 1, 2016), you must submit your most current working paper. Working papers can be obtained through any New York City Public High School or District Family Advocates office Besides a Ladders application and Working Papers what other documentation is required? If you are selected for a Ladders internship, you will need to also provide copies of documents that will verify the information that you have provided on your application. You will also be required to submit a current picture ID (i.e.: school ID, NYC ID). You can download a list of required documents from the Ladders application site. To find the list, you can go back to the ‘Ladders Documents’ menu to access it. At what types of companies are the internship opportunities? Ladders internships are paid, professional opportunities within corporations, government agencies and non-profit organizations. Which companies have provided internship opportunities for program participants? Some examples of businesses that have participated in Ladders providing internship opportunities include AOL., KPMG, Pandora, Neuberger Berman, Tishman Speyer, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Medidata and various City Agencies including NYC Department of Design and Construction, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and NYC Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications (DOITT). To see full list of partners, please check out the 2015 Ladders for Leaders Annual Report at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/downloads/pdf/2015LFL_Annual_Summary.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What type of work will I do as an intern? Internship tasks and responsibilities vary based on the employer. Some tasks past Ladders interns have worked on include, but are not limited to, marketing, database maintenance, event planning, sales, external communications, research, data analysis and operations management. What type of skills are employers looking for? Job descriptions will vary for each employer. Prior to any interview, the Community Based Organization you will be working with will provide information regarding the skills required by hiring employers. Can I choose which employer I want to interview with? During the pre-employment training, your provider will have the opportunity to learn more about your career interests and goals, and will use the information in deciding which company they forward your resume to or which employer you interview with. They will also consider the career options you selected in the Ladders application in determining an appropriate internship site for you.