Career Immersion & Leadership Institute - CILI has launched it's 4th Annual Business Case Competition. 

This is a regional competition that brings together various partners within the region to create tangible outcomes:

• For regional college students it provides an opportunity to work on a real small business issue. Teams from various regional colleges and universities compete to produce the best solution for a local small business. The winning team not only gets bragging rights for 1-year, but they also take home $1,000.00 dollars!  2nd Place winning team gets $500.00.  Most importantly, each team is able to PITCH their idea directly to the business owner and a panel of local business leaders. 

• For a local small business owner, CILI partners with New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce, Propeller and Goldman Sach's Alumni. Members from these partner organizations submit their business need. Each small business's proposal is reviewed, and one is selected to be the "business case" the students get to work for several weeks on and PITCH a solution on PITCH NIGHT!

• Competition Partners and Sponsors all work together to create the regional learning opportunity to showcase the talented Gen Z college students here in our region. 

• PITCH NIGHT is November 19, 2025! Please join us to witness and celebrate the talent within our region.

Applications for Cohort #6

Career Immersion & Leadership Institute is set to open applications for it's sixth cohort of college students from around the state of Louisiana. 

CILI is a workforce development non-profit organization that helps college students to prepare for their transition from college to career in their field of study. Students who are actively enrolled in 2-4 year degree seeking programs are welcome to apply. The Fellowship program has a first-year career readiness experience geared to guide students through the things critical to presenting themselves as a candidate for internship and/or full-time employment. 

Click for CILI Fellowship Program Information

CiLi's business retreat took place at Holy Cross on December 18th & 19th of 2023. This marked the beginning of an exciting journey for its new fellows, as they gear up for lucrative opportunities in the Louisiana job market. The fellowship program aims to empower college students in the state, providing them with career coaching and internship access throughout their academic journey.

From the get-go, the retreat was a whirlwind of invaluable information and resources curated by our team. The two-day event left no stone unturned, ensuring that our students are well-prepared for the dynamic local job landscape.

The agenda was as diverse as a gumbo pot, covering topics like Interview skills, Resume building, Workplace etiquette, LinkedIn Networking, Time management, and more! The resume prep session included headshot sessions, insights into employer expectations, and one-on-one discussions with seasoned professionals, all aimed at equipping students with the tools they need to shine in job applications.

 

Principles of attire went beyond the basics, delving into the nuances of circumstantial dressing. Understanding how to present oneself in different situations is as essential as knowing what vegetables go with crawfish, and our fellows got the recipe for success.

Self-assessment principles took center stage, with predictive index testing and in-depth discussions on individual results. This not only helped students identify their strengths and weaknesses but also provided insights into how they fit into a team—a crucial aspect of success in any work environment.

 

The retreat's second day kicked off with a hearty breakfast, setting the tone for a deep dive into CiLi's systems and monthly processes. This rundown ensures that the new fellows are well-acquainted with what to expect as proud members of the CiLi program.

 

As we reflect on the retreat, it is filled with the promise of a prosperous future. As we move into the new year, CiLi gives thanks for the opportunity to guide these students toward success in the Louisiana job market.

CiLi's Founder's Fundraiser took place on November 7th, at The Vault NOLA. It was a year-end celebration where we expressed gratitude to sponsors, fellows, and partners, while also acknowledging our accomplishments throughout the year. It was a fantastic evening filled with networking opportunities, quality spirits, delicious food, and the joy of celebrating achievements.

   

Imagine an atmosphere buzzing with excitement as guests connected, enjoyed top-notch drinks, and indulged in delightful cuisine. It was a night of camaraderie and revelry, leaving everyone with smiles and fond memories.

And here's the scoop – our 2023 Year in Review magazine is out now. Dive into the comprehensive overview of our accomplishments and secure your copy. It's a perfect way to reflect on the milestones that shaped our journey in 2023. Don't miss out on this keepsake; grab your copy and join us in revisiting the highlights of the year!

Join Us!

Jamyre's Adventures with the State Department 

                  

2023 HBCU Legacy Bowl Career Fair

Support Summer Abroad - Donate

Great Article for Computer Science Majors

Written by Coursera • Updated on Jul 13, 2022

You'll work with computers in both computer science and IT, but they're slightly different fields.

Computer science and information technology (IT) are two distinct subjects, despite their many similarities. Generally, computer science refers to designing and building computers and computer programs. Information technology, on the other hand, refers to maintaining and troubleshooting those computers and their networks, systems, and databases to ensure they run smoothly.

So while working in a computer science-based job might mean you’ll create software, design websites, or gather information on visitors to a website, a career in IT can mean you’ll make sure computers are functional and secure.

Click here for Full Article!

https://coursera.org/share/efef97ab5f0af02164fe12f55b01a3cb

Fact Sheet #71: Internship Programs Under The Fair Labor Standards Act

This fact sheet provides general information to help determine whether interns and students working for “for-profit” employers are entitled to minimum wages and overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).1

Background
The FLSA requires “for-profit” employers to pay employees for their work. Interns and students, however, may not be “employees” under the FLSA—in which case the FLSA does not require compensation for their work.

The Test for Unpaid Interns and Students
Courts have used the “primary beneficiary test” to determine whether an intern or student is, in fact, an employee under the FLSA.2 In short, this test allows courts to examine the “economic reality” of the intern-employer relationship to determine which party is the “primary beneficiary” of the relationship. Courts have identified the following seven factors as part of the test:

1. The extent to which the intern and the employer clearly understand that there is no expectation of compensation. Any promise of compensation, express or implied, suggests that the intern is an employee—and vice versa.
2. The extent to which the internship provides training that would be similar to that which would be given in an educational environment, including the clinical and other hands-on training provided by educational institutions.
3. The extent to which the internship is tied to the intern’s formal education program by integrated coursework or the receipt of academic credit.
4. The extent to which the internship accommodates the intern’s academic commitments by corresponding to the academic calendar.
5. The extent to which the internship’s duration is limited to the period in which the internship provides the intern with beneficial learning.
6. The extent to which the intern’s work complements, rather than displaces, the work of paid employees while providing significant educational benefits to the intern.
7. The extent to which the intern and the employer understand that the internship is conducted without entitlement to a paid job at the conclusion of the internship.

LINK TO DOL GUIDELINES

CILI Second Year Fellow, Dominique Scott, and CILI Coach, Glendalen Williams shared information with the over 200  women in attendance at the Women in Business Conference organized by the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce. 

This year's event,held at the beautiful JW Marriott on Canal St, was titled "Earning Your Economic Freedom." 

The keynote speaker was Deryl McKissack, President and Chief Executive Officer of McKissack & McKissack, a national architectural, engineering, and construction services firm. 

Several of the business leaders stopped by to learn more about CILI's progress and future vision. 

CILI Coach Gretchen McKinney joined four CILI Fellows for a special event hosted by the American Marketing Association. 

Sessions were led by marketing experts and covered topics including analyzing successful ad campaigns, product placement and other important factors of marketing. 

Sydney Odom, one of the four CILI fellows in attendance was also given the chance to speak during a session analyzing marketing strategy.

We are incredibly proud of our fellows for connecting with industry experts. This level of engagement is one of the keys to laying a foundation for your career paths. Special thanks to Gretchen for providing support and guidance during the event. Our coaches' involvement is invaluable. 

Fellows speaking with P Henry of BAMM Communications, a New Orleans based marketing firm.