Ditto Mentorship Pairing for Inner City Youth
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WHEN
EL ONE T Y R E V E
WE T E
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DO W TO O H D AN
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Program overview
pp. 7
Feedback from past students
pp. 8
Internship locations
pp. 10
Professions explained
pp. 12
Meet some of our mentors/employers pp. 16
Application process
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pp. 18
Program Overview Life is tough. The world gets scary. And, there’s too much pressure telling us which way to go, who we are, and how it’s gonna be. But, it’s up to us to take control and make our own decisions: to choose who we are, what we want, and how we’re going to get it. We can connect you to people who have done it before, and show you that having it all can happen and will if you go about getting it the right way. Through our program, you get to meet others who have come from the same struggles you have, now, and found a way to make their aspirations become real. Take a look through the cities we offer internships in and professions that match what you have passion for. Apply, and you’ll see how much the world can open up to you and the Basically, you have to life you want to lead. It did for mentors. choose an industry or profession that inspires you choose a city apply
And, then we’ll organize interviews with prospective mentors get you housing provide support where you need it
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Feedback from Past Students Darius Williams I compose music for movie scores and tv shows
Mercedes Estrella I opened my own Travel Agency
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Fan Yang I’m a Graphic Designer for an ad firm
I loved to draw. I used to skip math class and draw in the girls’ bathroom. I was failing math class, and not doing well in most of them. My parents were mad, and I was embarrassed to be in school. I never thought that I would make it through high school. When I was a freshman, my drawing teacher and I used to talk a lot, and she encouraged me to apply to be in Ditto. I got in, and now I do what I love all day. Mike Aguilera I own my own t-shirt company
I never dreamed that my life would be what it is now. My mother didn’t even want me to finish high school, because we had a laundromat to run, and needed more help running it. As a sophomore in high school, I decided I wanted to be something. I didn’t want to run the laundromat forever. I met great people, learned great tools, and now I own my own business.
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Baltimore, MD This city is best known for its Inner Harbor, where there are plenty of places to eat, some museums, and paddle-boats. Baltimore is also home to the Baltimore Orioles and the birthplace of Babe Ruth. There’s plenty of good seafood to eat and fun things to do.
Chicago, IL Known to be one of the most forward-thinking cities, Chicago has some of the most spectacular architecture and artistic public areas in the United States. The Art Institute houses a body of famous works known round the world and from various time-periods. A delicious attraction is Chicago style, deep-dish pizza; an intensely filling treat. And, the finest shopping can be found downtown along the Magnificent Mile.
Houston, TX Houston is a global city, as the 4th most-populous city in America and offers a whole lot of culture and events to observe and participate in. The Space Center Houston is the official visitors’ center for the NASA space center, with interactive exhibits like moon rocks and the shuttle simulator.
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Los Angeles, CA LA is considered the center of entertainment, where globally recognized films are often filmed, and if not are written and developed. The city is unique in that it is a city of highways. It’s all about having the biggest car in LA. Also, shopping, beaches, and great architecture are other attractions in LA and its surrounding areas.
New York, NY The Big Apple is famed in songs, books, and plays as a place where one can live your dreams, and has been this place for many. Times Square is a spectacle for the outsider, and Broadway is still the center for theater in America. There’s never a lack lf things to do in this city. And, good food can be found no matter what you’re craving or your ethnic background.
Philadelphia, PA A city of high historical importance, as the Declaration of Independance was signed here in 1776 and where Founding Fathers used to meet to think up the country we live in, today. This city offers much to see and learn with its many museums and historical tours as well as lots of entertainment and food. Philadelphia is a center for culture and history.
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Professions Explained
Listed by industry
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Arts (Visual) Work involving visual communication. Painting Scultpure Curator Art Historian Game Development Illustration
Business Focused on financials and sales, and marketing. Management Entrepreneurship
Communication Focus on writing and speaking with purpose. Broadcast Journalism Public Relations Journalism
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Culinary Focus on the art of food prep and presentation. Food preparation Restarant Management Customer Service
Design The fusion of form and function for a purpose. Architecture Graphic Design Industria Design Interior Design Fashion
Education Passing on knowledge to others. Teacher Elementary Level Teacher Junior High Level Teacher High School Level Professor Board of Education
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Engineering Focused on the creation and use of technology. Aeronautical Engineering Environmental Engineering Civil Engineering Computer Science
Entertainment Focused on refining performance arts skills. Musical Performance Musical Composition Performing Arts Modeling
Medical Work focused on health and wellness. General Practitioner Nurse Surgeon
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Meet Some Mentors
Rohan Nirapil From Paterson, NJ, Currently living in Wayne, NJ Branch Manager for Smith Barney Citigroup, New York City
Anita Benazaar From Detroit, MI, Currently living in Arlington Heights, IL Owner of a chain of restaurants in the Chicago area, Lou Malnatis
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I used to love math class as a kid, and I used to work cash register for my parents’ South Asian grocery store in my hometown and be so proud when I could calculate all the right numbers for change in my head before I looked at the machine. As I grew up, there was pressure from my parents to be a doctor or lawyer, but I found a way to get myself the job I love. I still visit my parents and their store every weekend.
The restaurant business is a crazy one. It takes a ton of hard work to get it all started. But, persistence got me where I am now. You just never let yourself give up, no matter what anybody says.
Ji Minh Cho From Brooklyn, NY, Currently live in Brooklyn, NY
Art was totally my deal in high school. I took some summer classes at SVA during high school to try and see what there was to do out there with art. Then, I got accepted on scholarship to SVA and have been happily arty ever since. I started my own company, and we do a lot of posters and t-shirts for events and organizations.
Owner of a screen printing company
Lilly Burns From St. Louis, MO, Currently living in Hoboken, NY Model for Elite Model Management
Vogue was my favorite thing to read. I just loved the models and loved the clothes. So, I decided one day, I’m gonna break out of my home town and see what’s on the other side of the arches. I rented cheap apartments, went through thousands of auditions, and finally I have a great manager and a thriving career doing what I love.
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Admissions Explained Our interns are selected out of many students nominated by their high school teachers each year. Also, if you are interested in the program, seeking an interview with one of our representatives is encouraged, with or without a nomination. Reaching out as an individual is a demsontration of your commitment to your work, which is a desired trait for Ditto interns. Steps to your way in: Receive a nomination or hold an interview with us Complete the application form online at >DittoMentorship.com< Undergo an interview process Discuss goals with our team Find a career path to pursue Connect with Mentors through interviews Begin Internship!
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Ditto
Mentorship Pairing for Inner City Youth