Empower Youth Internship:
A Free High School Internship and Leadership Program
Program Overview
The Charlotte Chess Center is a premier educational hub in Charlotte, NC, offering year-round chess camps, classes, school enrichment programs, and tournaments. We recognize that chess is a powerful tool for bridging the gap between youth and successful academic and life outcomes.
In honor of our 10-year anniversary, we launched the CCC Empower Youth Internship Program. This initiative is designed to empower the next generation of leaders by providing high school students with professional experience and a pathway to success on the world stage.
Internship Goals
The primary goal of the Empower Youth Internship & Scholarship Program is to equip our student members with the professional skills and resources necessary for lifelong learning. We provide interns with hands-on, real-world experience tailored to their post-secondary pursuits and career ambitions.
As a free development program, this is a direct investment in Charlotte students who:
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Aim to make a positive community difference.
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Embody the cultural values of the Charlotte Chess Center.
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Seek to better prepare for college life, future careers, and the global stage.
Eligibility
Must be currently enrolled in high school, ages 14-18
Peak US Chess rating of 1000 or above desired
Active participant in CCC tournament play within a quarter of applying.
Must bring working laptop to each session.
Must demonstrate enthusiasm for learning, sharing, and respect for others.
Must have transportation to and from programs, workshops, and events.
Skills & Development
Through the Empower Youth Program, interns gain direct mentorship from local leaders and industry professionals within the Charlotte Chess Center’s extensive network. Bridging the gap between the classroom and the professional world.
Core Development Areas Include:
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Professional Tools: Mastery of the MS Office Suite and Graphic Design tools (Canva/Adobe).
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Digital Presence: Strategic Marketing and Social Media management.
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Communication: Advanced public speaking and professional writing skills.
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Career Readiness: Resume building workshops and navigating the college application process.
Internship Dates, Topics, Speakers
Date | Location | Start Time | End Time | Speaker | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10/05/2025 | CCC - Main/South | 10:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Team Work/Collaboration | |
11/02/2025 | CCC - Main/South | 10:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Leadership and Innovation | |
12/14/2025 | CCC - Main/South | 10:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Entrepreneurship | |
01/11/2026 | CCC - Main/South | 10:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Char-Meck Library | Workforce Development |
02/08/2026 | CCC - Main/South | 10:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Building a Community | |
03/15/2026 | CCC - Main/South | 10:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Financial Planning/Budgeting | |
04/12/2026 | CCC - Main/South | 10:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Career Planning | |
05/17/2026 | CCC - Main/South | 10:00 AM | 12:00 PM | College Planning | |
05/30/2026 | CCC - Main/South | 5:00 PM | 7:00 PM | Graduation! |
Intern Benefits
Students who successfully complete the Empower Youth Internship gain a competitive edge for their future academic and professional careers.
Graduates of the program will:
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Earn a Professional Certificate: Receive an official Certificate of Completion to validate your experience.
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Strengthen Resume & College Applications: Gain high-level extracurricular experience that stands out to admissions officers.
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Pathway to Paid Employment: Interns receive priority consideration for paid part-time work with the CCC.
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Professional References: Access dedicated job and college references from CCC leadership and local professionals.
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Scholarship Eligibility: Become eligible for the exclusive CCC Empower Youth Scholarship Program to support future tuition and educational costs.
Next Application Cycle Begins Summer 2026
Intern Reflections
