With two interns already thriving in the program, bringing in a third intern was a crucial next step. Not only did this test the scalability of our mentorship-driven training model, but it also reinforced that we were building something sustainable.
A Different Path: The Management Track
Unlike the first two interns, our third intern joined TLC with a different goal in mind—management. As part of the Management Track, this intern would need to go through the same foundational training as our other interns in order to fully understand the program from the ground up.
✅ Intern #1 was now acting as a mentor, reinforcing their own learning in the process.
✅ Intern #2 had gained hands-on experience in PC builds and started cross-training in outreach.
✅ Intern #3, with prior IT support experience, was learning TLC’s model while preparing to transition into a leadership role.
This approach ensured that every future leader in TLC understood not just IT, but how our training model works, how mentorship fuels growth, and how efficiency-first IT changes the game for nonprofits.
From PC Builds to Leadership Development
Even though Intern #3 had prior IT support experience, he still started with the fundamentals—building a PC under the guidance of Intern #1, who was now leading builds confidently. This hands-on training gave him direct insight into what the PC Build Program could do, how it empowered interns, and how it fit into the larger TLC mission.
By this point:
- Intern #1 had participated in three PC builds.
- Intern #2 had completed two PC builds and had started cross-training in outreach.
- Intern #3 completed his first PC build and was preparing to move into a management role.
The Next Step: Management Training
With the foundational IT training complete, Intern #3 was ready to shift into management-focused training. This phase includes:
📊 Learning operational oversight – Managing interns, structuring workflows, and tracking efficiency.
📢 Refining leadership skills – Developing strategies to mentor and support future interns.
⚡ Understanding nonprofit IT needs – Bridging the gap between technical support and strategic IT planning.
Through this Management Intern Program, he is working toward a full transition into employment as a future IT leader.
What’s Next?
Now that our third intern is progressing through the Management Track, our focus shifts to: 🚀 Defining leadership roles within TLC to better reflect the depth of IT expertise and strategic management.
📈 Expanding training beyond IT support to include compliance, infrastructure planning, and nonprofit consulting.
💡 Welcoming more interns into the program to keep the mentorship-driven model growing.
Each new intern is a stepping stone toward a bigger, more sustainable vision for IT workforce development. With three successful interns now fully engaged, we knew it was time to take things even further.