Internship Funding Award Expands Student Opportunities

Internships are a great opportunity for students looking to learn professional skills while getting a jumpstart on the search for post-graduation jobs. The Internship Funding Award empowers students to achieve career goals by creating opportunities to fund their credit, travel and living expenses.

Internship Funding Award Applications Due: Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Hosted annually by the Career Services team, the Internship Funding Award removes barriers to internships for eligible sophomores and juniors of any major. By providing financial support to help supplement the costs of paid or unpaid internships for credit, travel and living expenses, the awards open the door for professional development opportunities that students may not have had the chance to pursue otherwise. Additional requirements include the following.

• Internships must be an external summer internship opportunity.
• Internships are required to be under the guidance of a professional who can help the student explore opportunities that link theory with practice in the student’s career field of interest.
• Applicant has not previously received an Internship Funding Award.
• Applicant’s Handshake account is updated and complete.

Each year about 200 students receive the Internship Funding Award. Highlighted 2023 experiences are shared below.

Taking Action to Secure a Career Field

Adya Parida ’25 spent her summer as a Federal Reserve Bank of New York security group technology intern, where she learned a myriad of new skills and met many influential people. “As an international student from India, this was my first taste of American corporate culture. I got to meet senior leaders like president John Williams and vice president and chief operating officer Sushmita Shukla and ask  them questions!” says Parida.

Parida’s summer project involved data analysis to detect anomalous behavior using machine learning algorithms.

“I am so glad and honored to have been a part of the cybersecurity team of probably the most influential public financial institution in the world. This internship not only taught me technical skills but also soft skills like communication, networking, etiquette and teamwork. I am so grateful to the Career Services team and the Internship Funding Award for making my dream a reality and supporting me every step of the way,” says Parida.

Experiencing Immersive Learning

With the help of the Internship Funding Award and through multiple internships and networking events, Abdullah Hakim Morris ’24 was able to immerse himself into the rich tapestry of our nation’s capital.

“I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with both the American Foreign Policy Council and the Potomac Advocates. As a research fellow I dove deep into foreign policy research, gathered pivotal articles and actively assisted in crucial processes that significantly impact policymakers,” Morris says.

“My immersion in this dynamic environment didn’t end there. I also undertook a separate internship at a defense consulting firm where I kept a keen eye on Department of Human Services developments and meticulously compiled weekly reports to keep the firm’s clients informed and ahead of the curve. It was an enriching summer that has significantly shaped my career aspirations and given me invaluable experiences,” says Morris.

Helping to Design Pop Culture History

Fueled by a desire to grow professional skills and supported by the Internship Funding Award, Elizabeth Carlson ’24 had the opportunity to work with Warner Brothers Discovery Global as a global brand engagement: product development softlines intern.

“This role allowed me to create new style guides, sock designs, advent calendar designs and motion graphic videos, surrounding things like DC Comics, Harry Potter and Scooby Doo. Additionally, during my time I was able to experience such events as early movie screenings such as for the ‘Barbie’ movie and mentoring groups,” says Carlson.

Complete details, including application instructions, are available on the Career Services Internship Funding Award webpage.

Story by Student Experience Division communications intern Madison Manczko ’24, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications