The 2022-23 Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Award applications are now open for juniors, seniors and graduate students of any major who seek to further their career development through undertaking self-obtained unique internship opportunities. The award provides students with financial assistance to help in the pursuit of their unique professional goals.
April Lopez G’23 was able to pursue a summer internship in the food justice movement thanks to the Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Award.
Awards may range from $1,500 to $6,000, crucial for students who may not have the money needed to pay for internship-related travel, accommodations, required materials or living expenses. Erin Smith ’15, Syracuse University Career Services internship program coordinator, knows how pivotal this award is for ambitious students.
“The Mark and Pearle Clements Award is a special honor for Syracuse University students who go above and beyond by proactively planning for and creating unique summer experiences,” says Smith. “It is a privilege to oversee the application process for such an impactful award.”
In addition to being responsible for self-securing internships, students interested in applying are also required to secure a faculty or staff sponsor letter, complete a Handshake application, Clements Internship Award Qualtrics Survey and more by the application deadline, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, 11:55 p.m. (ET). The Syracuse University Career Services Clements Internship Awards webpage provides complete details.
2021-22 winning students were able to use the award to pursue unique internships that directly related to their professional interests. In doing so, they received extraordinary hands-on opportunities that would not have been possible otherwise. Among all awardees, gratitude is expressed not only for the support of the award but also for the experiences and industry connections gained along the way.
“Moving across the country in pursuit of my master’s degree in food studies was a very risky but meaningful decision. I wanted to get more involved in the local workers’ movement, as much of my academic interests and personal background align with labor rights of agricultural migrant workers,” says April Lopez G’23.
The Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Award allowed her to pursue a summer internship combining her passions of food and activism. “Bridging that connection led to an internship where I was responsible for assisting different efforts focused on improving working conditions for immigrant low-wage workers in the state of New York, who were severely and negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Lopez says. “This would not have been possible without the Clements Award. The funding made it possible for me to stay in Syracuse for the summer, lobbying for a permanent unemployment fund for excluded workers, health care for all and legal services for immigrant workers.”
Activists, including Lopez, campaign on behalf of migrant workers.
The Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Award allowed Nedine Abdelhamid ’23, an undergraduate studying biotechnology at Syracuse University, to gain real-world medical experience she would not have gotten anywhere else.
“This summer I was fortunate enough to receive the Clements Award and intern at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health,” Abdelhamid says. “My project involved elucidating the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in brain metastasis. I was able to master numerous cutting-edge techniques as well as acquire additional scientific knowledge. Working with professionals in the field to solve real-life problems was absolutely mesmerizing. This training solidified my desire to continue in the field of immunology.”
Abdelhamid spent her summer conducting medical research as an intern with the National Cancer Institute.
“If I could give advice to students applying to the Clements Award, I would say seek opportunities that fascinate you,” says Abdelhamid. “Your passion will enable you to overcome any obstacles and achieve your dreams.”
With questions, visit the Syracuse University Career Services Clements Internship Awards webpage, email Syracuse University Career Services or call 315.443.3616. Students are also encouraged to learn more about the 2023 Internship Funding Award, scheduled to open applications on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023.
Story by Student Experience communications intern Madison Manczko ’24, Newhouse School
