USINF Programs & Initiatives
"Access to Success" program
The USINF Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of a new and exciting e-mentoring program. "Access to Success" will match students from around the country with industry specific mentors from corporate America and the USINF network through its revamped web portal. By providing young Indians with role models, the Foundation hopes to build bright and successful futures for the country's Indian youth.
It is a mentoring program that offers students opportunities to shadow and gain practical experience from USINF Foundation corporate and business partners. An online mentoring portion (E-mentoring) was recently designed to match students with professional adults in careers and industries compatible to student’s interest. As mentors, professional adults offer support, career counseling and friendship advice to students
"Regional and National Youth Entrepreneurship 'BizFest' program
Throughout the year the United States Indian Foundation (USINF) offers the Regional Youth Entrepreneurship “BizFest” in a number of cities across the United States. “BizFest” is a three and half-day intensive workshop series equipping Indian students, ages 17-25, with the tools to be successful in both business and life.
The “BizFest” teaches students a variety of business techniques and focuses on: turning hobbies and skills into profit-making ventures; establishing entrepreneurial and leadership goals; creating plans for business and life; becoming effective leaders and team players; networking in business environments; identifying investment opportunities; implementing money management; and making public presentations. From attending the BizFest, students will gain entrepreneur experience, economic literacy, improved skills in math, reading, writing and verbal communication and workforce readiness.
A Regional “BizFest” consists of two main components:
- The “Foundation for Success”
- Entrepreneurship Training
The “Foundation for Success” is the integration of strategic thinking and personal assessment skills. These skills revolve around a dynamic self-esteem building process that engages young people in the learning of strategic selling concepts as well as in the process of assessing their own personal inventories. This personal inventory includes: attitude, discipline, sense of urgency, level of commitment and education/knowledge, all essential elements of success and being successful.
The Entrepreneurship Training follows an established and validated curriculum created by the Girl Scouts of the USA. After learning the basic mechanics of entrepreneurship, students will develop a business concept and business plan. Students will then take part in a business plan competition. Selected winners will receive scholarship awards and access to mentoring and future entrepreneurship partnering opportunities with business and corporate partners of the USINF Foundation.
"BizFest" si an innovative and intensive 3 1/2 days 'business training camp' in which Indian youth learn fundamentals of how to turn hobbies into profitable ventures by learning the basics of entrepreneurship and leadership. About 25 to 35 students are chosen to participate in each 'BizFest" hosted in several cities through out the year.
'bizFest" focuses on two aspects of leadership development and entrepreneurship training. The leadership development portion of the training encourages students to examine their personal attributes in relation to setting life goals and achieving them successfully.
After this personal assessment students are led trough an entrepreneurship curriculum where cadre of expert trainers teach students a variety of techniques focusing on:
- Establishing entrepreneurial and leadership goals
- Creating business and life plans
- Networking in business environments
- Making public presentations
In addition to instruction and business experience, "BizFest" participants receive:
- A business briefcase, portfolios, pen and other business supplies
- An entrepreneurial curriculum guide
- A "bizFest" Certificate of Completion
- "Access to Success" E-Mentoring support
- Internship and scholarship opportunities sponsored by USINF Foundation and strategic partners
“BizFest” offers its participant’s unparalleled opportunities for mentorship and one-on-one exchange with top business executives.
"Indians in Communications" USINF Foundation Scholarship Program
The program is created to assist students interested in the areas associated with telecommunications industry. It is available for high school seniors enrolled in a community college or a four year institution as a full-time student. We also intend to provide the following opportunities in future:
- Zalia Cosmetics and May Department Stores Company Scholarship Program
- Metro 2 Step (Service technician Education Program)
- Cendant Corporation and USINF Foundation Internship Program
- Hector Rarreto Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Leadership and Development Program
- Professional Mentoring Program
- "Executive-On-Loan" Program Support
- Entrepreneurship Networking Sessions
"Internship Program"
The USINF Foundation will be offering different internship programs for students via our web site. We will soon have an application form ready for you to apply online.