Manhattan International High School
Professional Development Opportunities for MIHS Students
What is NewComm?
NewComm prepares and positions high school students from historically marginalized communities as community architects and professional problem-solvers. We cultivate builder mindset by providing students with professional networks, real budgets, and decision-making authority.
MIHS students will gain access to the same architecture tools—networks, capital, authority—that create success, while building authentic professional credentials through real community impact.
Opportunities for MIHS Students
Engaged Member Internship
Join professional committees supporting this year's $10K community project
What You'll Gain:
- Build professional skills on real committees (Budget, Program Development, External Partners, Marketing)
- Attend monthly Supper Clubs with industry leaders
- Participate in Weekly Roundtables connecting academics to community impact
- Prepare for Fellowship application next year
Community Leadership Fellow
Co-lead a $10,000 community project with full decision-making authority
What You'll Gain:
- Manage real budget with full financial accountability
- Lead teams of Engaged Members across committees
- Make strategic decisions (adults coach, never override)
- Earn stipend for leadership work
- Build portfolio for college applications
Engaged Member Internship (Unpaid)
This is NewComm's core professional development experience. Engaged Members are the backbone of every $10K community project, gaining real-world skills through meaningful contribution.
Time Commitment
- • Weekly Roundtables (1-2 hours)
- • Monthly Design Studio (4 hours)
- • Monthly Committee Meetings (2 hours)
- • Flexible deliverable work
- • Monthly Supper Clubs (2-3 hours) - Optional
Professional Committees
- • Budget: Financial tracking & planning
- • Program Dev: Project design & evaluation
- • External Partners: Stakeholder relations
- • Marketing: Storytelling & outreach
Why This Matters: Engaged Members build the specialized skills and professional networks that position them for Fellowship (with stipends) and eventually paid consulting opportunities senior year. This unpaid internship is the foundation for everything that follows.
The Complete Journey
General Member → Engaged Member
Start as General Member attending Town Halls, then transition to Engaged Member internship on committees supporting 2025-26 project
💵 Unpaid internshipEngaged Member → Apply for Fellowship
Continue building committee expertise and professional networks. Apply for Fellowship in spring.
💵 Unpaid internshipCommunity Leadership Fellow
Co-lead $10,000 community project with full decision-making authority. Manage teams of Engaged Members.
💵 Stipend for leadership workIndustry Studios Consultant
Become paid consultant for companies like Mount Sinai and Morgan Stanley. Build professional portfolio.
💵 Consulting fees (paid)Next Steps for MIHS
School Nominates Students
MIHS staff identify and nominate - Due: October 24
- Current Freshmen for Engaged Member internship (start ASAP on 2025-26 project) - Due: October 24
- Current Sophomores for Fellowship (Cohort 4, SY 2026-27) - Due: October 24
NewComm Interest Session
NewComm staff present to nominees (in-person or virtual):
- Overview of opportunities and expectations
- Q&A with current Fellows and Engaged Members
- Information on time commitment and benefits
- Sessions can be scheduled as soon as nominees are identified
Student Applications
Applications sent to all interested nominees:
- Students complete application expressing interest and goals
- No prior experience required
- We look for commitment and curiosity
Selection & Onboarding
NewComm works with MIHS to determine accepted students:
- Collaborative selection process
- Orientation and committee placement
- Students begin their journey
Timeline: Interest sessions can be scheduled as soon as MIHS identifies nominees. Current freshmen can begin Engaged Member work immediately on the 2025-26 project.
Ready to Partner with NewComm?
Give your students access to professional networks, real budgets, and decision-making authority that builds genuine career credentials.