The WorkWise Foundations Fellowship

A 12-Month Mastery Program in Human Resources & Employability

The WorkWise Fellowship is not a "summer job." It is a highly selective, year-long professional development experience designed for youth (ages 14–18) in Indiana and Illinois. Fellows move from foundational compliance training into three specialized HR rotations, earning $19.00/hr while mastering the technical and emotional intelligence required for the modern workforce.

The Workwise Rhthym

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours per week (Mandatory).

  • Structure: 1 Weekly Mandatory Strategy Meeting (30m) + 3 Sequential Independent Labs (90m).

  • Compensation: $19/hr (Paid training and project work).

The 12-Month Roadmap

Phase 1: Foundations & Compliance (Months 1–3)

Before touching client data, Fellows must master the legalities of the American workplace.

  • Certifications: Sexual Harassment Prevention, Bystander Intervention, OSHA Safety, and ADA Basics.

  • Core Concepts: At-Will Employment, DEI Style Guides, and Cybersecurity Integrity.

Phase 2: The Professional Rotations (Months 4–12)

Fellows graduate into three 90-day "Job Labs," gaining real-world experience in HR sub-sectors:

  1. General Admin Lab: Managing professional correspondence, scheduling, and project milestones.

  2. Payroll & Benefits Lab: Data gathering for payroll, leave tracking, and benefits enrollment support.

  3. Employee Data & Records Lab: Maintaining HRIS databases, supporting audits, and contract management.

The "Employability" Standard

I believe that professionalism is a habit. Throughout the year, Fellows maintain:

  • The SMART Goal Tracker: A monthly audit of their own growth and professional habits.

  • The First Impression Portfolio: A running collection of their work output and reflections, providing 12 months of tangible "evidence" for college and career applications.

  • Technical Stack Mastery: Advanced training in Google Workspace, Gusto (Payroll), Canva (Comms), and LegalZoom Books (Finance).

Why WorkWise?

Our "Compassionate Accountability" model ensures youth are treated like professionals from Day 1. By the end of the 12-month cohort, a WorkWise Fellow possesses the administrative skills of an entry to mid-level assistant and the legal awareness of a dedicated HR professional.

Accepting Applications Soon for Indiana & Illinois Residents Only.

Questions? Email joy@workwisehumanresources.com.