Want an internship? Want to not go broke while having one?

About a month into the semester, you're most likely not giving much thought to your summer plans yet. In fact, you're probably just trying to survive the consistently sleepless, caffeine packed, reading-room-is-now-my-new-home period that is midterms.

Once you've conquered that IR exam, though, it wouldn't hurt to give a little thought to what you'll be doing come June. Besides, being all proactive entitles you to brag to your parents how mature you're being with your future (thus comforting them that all their monetary contributions are not being wasted on their delinquent child).

Some students choose to gallivant across Europe, while others relive their youth working at summer camps. Most students, at one point or another, decide to get a summer internship. You have the potential to make valuable connections, make your resume look all snazzy --- and hey! you might actually learn something.

Despite all these advantages, there is one big con that may deter people from applying for an internship...money. Although there are some paid internships out there, they are few and far between, and the competition is fierce. Yes, you could always get a job, but a lot of individuals do not have the time or energy necessary for juggling two commitments simultaneously.

There is a solution (drumroll, please)...apply for a Career Services Internship Grant! Every year, the office offers funding for unpaid summer internships. The majority of grants are allocated toward non-profit internships, but there are also some grants available for private sector work.

The application process involves some paperwork, but it is certainly manageable. To give you an idea of what's involved, you must submit a signed memo of understanding, your resume, an unofficial transcript, a learning contract signed by you and your internship supervisor, and two recommendations. All of these are usually due around early April, which means that you must have secured an internship by the due date. This last part may prove to be somewhat difficult, but it just takes some extra effort and determination to ensure that you make the deadline.

If accepted (whoo hoo!), you must submit a signed code of conduct, three different reports (at the beginning, middle, and end of the internship), an informational interview, a final internship evaluation, and a final supervisor evaluation. Again, this may sound like a lot, but it's easy to complete over the entirety of the summer.

If you follow all of the aforementioned requirements, you are awarded $3000 (or whatever the grant amounts to for each particular year) at the beginning of your internship, and the final $500 after you have submitted a poster and attended the Internship Grant Information Session in early October.

Thanks to the Career Services Internship Grants, 36 students were able to accept unpaid internships last summer at a variety of different organizations, such as Jumpstart, Massachusetts General Hospital, Maine Public Broadcasting Network, the New England Wildlife Center, Microwind Technologies, and Cultural Survival.

Being awarded one of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Grants enabled me to work at Affiliate Media, LLC this past summer. I acquired a great deal of technical knowledge about public relations, marketing, photography and graphic design. In addition, I became very good friends with all the people I worked with. All in all, I had an absolutely wonderful internship experience, and it would not have been possible without the support of the generous donors who contribute to this fund. I am incredibly grateful that I discovered this opportunity and was given the chance to make the most of the financial gift I was given.

My fellow sugar-sustained insomniacs, I wish you best of luck with all your midterms. Go ahead and hibernate for a week afterward to catch up on the sleep you're depriving yourself of now. When you're fully rejuvenated, though, be sure to start thinking about how you'd like to spend this upcoming summer. If an internship seems right up your alley, I urge you to consider applying for a Career Services Internship Grant. You can get more information about the application process on our website and read about other recipients' experiences here. Most importantly, be sure to attend the Internship Grant Information Session on Monday, November 9th at 12pm here in Dowling 745.