8 | January/February 2023 | BAEC Bulletin Say Yes Buffalo Student Spotlight: Alize Allen
through resume and cover letter review and interview preparation; interns attend a professional skills training prior to their internship start date and professional development workshops during the summer, and are supported by Say Yes staff through mentoring and site visits. WHAT IS THE COST TO THE EMPLOYER? • Our employer partners commit to providing summer opportunities between 20 - 40 hours per week for a minimum of ten weeks. • Hourly wages should be no less than $13.20; So at minimum the commitment is $2,640 + payroll taxes. Spotlight: Alize Allen, Say Yes Buffalo Scholar & Law Student • What college did you attend and what intern placement did you have with the Say Yes program? I attended Canisius College and graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History. In the summer of 2019, I was placed in the Tour of Courts internship program with the Honorable Susan Eagan. • How do you feel the internship prepared you for law school? The internship absolutely solidified my decision to attend law school. Prior to my internship, I had minimal exposure to what being an attorney really meant. Gaining actual exposure to the day-to-day practices of those in a legal profession was eye- opening, but the plethora of practice areas I was able to observe is really what pushed me to attend law school. Knowing that I could practice generally, or specialize, was very appealing to me. • What was your most memorable experience from the internship program? Having to choose one of the many memorable experiences is difficult, but I would say it was the opportunity to observe adoption proceedings in Surrogate’s Court. It was an amazing experience to be able to see families of all ages and sizes expand.
By Stephanie Calhoun & Maura O’Donnell Program Overview: Since 2018, the BAEC has been working with Say Yes Buffalo to place college age interns in legal workplaces. This partnership has resulted in many placements and an enduring collaboration between Say Yes Buffalo and the BAEC, representing our committment to pipeline programs that enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in our association and profession. The Say Yes Buffalo Internship and Career Pathways Program creates a pipeline of talent between partner colleges and Western New York employers. The program facilitates connecting undergraduate students with area businesses, institutions and organizations, to provide meaningful paid internships to qualified Say Yes scholars (Buffalo public or charter school graduates who are currently enrolled full - time in college). Over the past few years, the BAEC has successfully partnered with Say Yes in furthering pipeline initiatives — connecting students interested in the law with legal professionals who have provided them with experiences to expand their views of the law. We encourage our membership to participate in this rewarding program. Welcoming more Say Yes scholars to our legal community will enhance the pipeline of access to the legal profession, benefitting students, employers, and our community as a whole. For more information on the program, please contact Business Partnerships Manager, Stephanie Peete, at speete@sayyesbuffalo.org. Program Details: HOW DOES IT WORK? • Employers complete a short internship description for posting on the Say Yes Buffalo website; the internship opportunities are promoted to Say Yes Buffalo scholars through targeted emails and communications. • Employers attend an orientation luncheon that includes racial equity training. • The employer contacts the candidate directly to arrange an interview. • Once an employer identifies the student they would like to hire, a contract is established. • Interns are supported and coached by Say Yes staff during the application and interview process
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