Field Experience Funds for Experiential SIPs,
Internships and Externships, Summer 2008

Think you may need funding in order to do an internship?

Things to think about while looking for an internship:

Students are eligible to apply for funding from the Center for Career Development to supplement unpaid or low-paid internships for expenses directly related to the experience (such as travel to the internship site, housing, daily transportation, etc.). Funding is not available to address lost-wages or to assist with future expenses (money needed for study abroad, etc.) All students will be expected to meet a portion of their internship expenses from sources other than a grant.

Application workshops will be held for students wishing to apply for funding beginning Spring Quarter to provide an outline of exact requirements and application processes. The deadline for proposals will be announced before spring break.

In the meantime, the following tips will assist you in designing an experience that should help you write a strong funding proposal.

• Be able to explain how the internship you have secured is the BEST opportunity for you to gain the type of experience you are seeking (it would be hard to justify funding an internship with the YWCA in Ft. Lauderdale).
• Try to identify, specifically, what your roles/tasks will be versus just providing the published internship description (arrange an interview with your supervisor to learn the specifics).
• Try to arrange a longer duration of time at your experience (10-12 weeks), even if only 25-30 hours per week. · Internships are assessed based on the nature of what you will be accomplishing versus the stature of the organization (working in the mailroom of the White House won't help you rub elbows with many in politics).
• Smaller organizations often provide you the greatest opportunity for higher levels of responsibility.
• Think broadly about how your internship builds upon your previous experiences and how it will better prepare you for future accomplishments (think concrete specifics versus "will help me in my future career as a lawyer").
• Strive for a good balance of variety of roles/tasks with task specialization. Your goal should be to walk away with 3-5 new skills and to feel you've done a good job of mastering 2-3 of these new skills. Try to articulate ways in which you will measure your progress.

If abroad, please email career@kzoo.edu for additional information.