DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — The Kings County Courts Izetta Johnson Internship Empowerment Program, formerly the Summer Youth Employment Program, is celebrating its 34th year of shaping the minds of young people looking to launch a career in the field of law.
On Monday, July 1, an orientation was held at the Supreme Court on 320 Jay St., welcoming 57 high school and college students slated for internships this summer.
Hon. Deborah A. Dowling (second from left), Jennifer Franchimene Joly, Nicole B. Smith,
court clerk specialist, and Hon. Robin K. Sheares. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
The goal of the six-week program, which is taking place from now through Aug. 8, is to expose the interns — who range in age from 16 to 25 — to the myriad of professions the court system has to offer.
Workshops and seminars will also be available that cover resume writing, interview techniques and tips on financial planning.
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Hon. Deborah A. Dowling, one of the administrators of the program, said that she is thrilled to carry on the vision of Izetta Johnson and be a part of something that brings students into the courthouse to learn the importance of professionalism and how to function effectively in a work environment.
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Johnson was an employee of the New York State Unified Court System for 35 years. And as a trainer and manager of the Court’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office, she ultimately developed the aforementioned youth program in 1989.
“We’ve had more than 1,500 interns come through our Kings County Courts in Brooklyn over the past 30-plus years,” Dowling pointed out. “Feeding the minds of young interns and giving them experience within the court system is what this is all about.”
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