The Zeal Youth Work Internship, offered in partnership with Praxis NZ, is a unique opportunity to learn and experience youth work over a life-changing two years of work and tertiary study.
Youth Work Interns join the Zeal staff family, work their ass off, and see the lives of young people transformed. They’ll also achieve a NZQA Diploma in Youth & Community Studies (Level 6) through Praxis and be well on their way toward a career of significance in strengths-based youth development.
“One of the best things about working for Zeal is that it’s different every day. A typical day is hard to answer because a typical day at Zeal doesn’t exist – and I hope it never does, because I love it that way!” – Hayley, Year 1 Intern, 2017. Read more about Hayley’s Zeal experience.
In 2018, Internships are available in West Auckland, Wellington, Kāpiti, Hamilton and Hawke’s Bay. Applicants must be 19 or over, passionate about young people, high energy and hardworking.
The Zeal Youth Work Internship is unpaid and involves tertiary study. Each applicant is required to pay the course fees for Praxis. Praxis is a NZQA registered provider and successful applicants will be eligible for student allowance and loan through StudyLink. To find out more about Praxis, check out the 2018 Prospectus.
In successfully completing the Zeal Youth Work Internship you will receive a Level 6 Diploma in Youth & Community Studies, a Zeal Certificate of Completion, and a written endorsement.
What will I do?
- 20 hours study per week through Praxis, achieving a Diploma in Youth & Community Studies.
- 20 hours youth work per week at Zeal. This may include:
- Face-to-face youth work at Zeal’s afternoon
drop-in - Youth mentoring
- Event planning and coordination
- Street-based youth work
Creative programmes
- Face-to-face youth work at Zeal’s afternoon
What training will I get?
Both Zeal and Praxis adhere to a strengths-based, holistic youth development approach. As a part of your Zeal Youth Work Internship you’ll learn this through:
- Weekly work experience
- Weekly Praxis training clusters with other students
- Four block courses with Praxis per year
- Two Zeal staff hui per year
- Monthly supervision by a senior Zeal staff member
What kind of people are we looking for?
- A hunger to study youth development and a commitment to complete the Praxis Diploma in Youth & Community Studies.
- You tick the box on our ever-important People Values. Seriously, read ’em before you apply.
- Unwavering care, compassion and belief in New Zealand young people from all walks of life.
- A high level of integrity and honesty.
- An outgoing personality with a positive attitude.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to different types of people.
- Good communication skills, both orally and written.
- Ability to read and interpret educational materials.
- Proactive, initiative-taking and responsive.
- Ability to take direction, listen to instruction and follow through.
- Past experience of working with young people and a full drivers license is advantageous.
- Willing to dive into a mission-oriented, all-encompassing dream.
