Kmart introduces Latina Smart internship program

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart is looking for five interns for a new program designed to provide opportunities to Hispanic women.

The mass merchandise retailer announced Wednesday the launch of its Latina Smart internship program to coincide with National Hispanic Heritage Month. The program, part of the Latina Smart initiative launched last year, offers a 10-week paid internship at the corporate headquarters of Kmart parent company Sears Holdings in Hoffman Estates, Ill. A 2011 student survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers showed that new college graduates who had internships did "far better" in the job market than those who didn't.

"Kmart embraces the opportunity to support the ambitions of our diverse community," Kmart interim chief marketing officer Andrew Stein said. "Through the Latina Smart internship program, we aim to empower young Hispanic women looking to enter the competitive workforce by providing professional advancement opportunities that will bridge the gap between education and experience."

Candidates can submit a resume and 200-word essay on a section of Kmart's website created for the program between Wednesday and Dec. 31. Candidates will be notified of whether they've been accepted in April 2013, and the internship program will begin a month later.