Skidmore’s Career Development Center (CDC) is now entering its 9th summer of providing internship funding to students. Through Skidmore’s Summer Funded Internship Awards Program (SSFIAP), students receive the opportunity to participate in unpaid internships, volunteer and research work, or community services projects, allowing them to gain necessary work experience in support of their future career goals.
Students who may not normally partake in an unpaid internship are now encouraged to because of CDC’s funding availability, giving students the freedom to focus on areas of interest instead of seeking mundane jobs to pay for living expenses. Most funding awards are granted in the amount of $4,000 for the entire summer. This helps students seek interesting unpaid opportunities while also building resumes to ensure future success with job applications and candidacy.
This past summer (2016), Skidmore students who received funding participated in a wide array of internships and programs all over the world. This includes “The Concerned for Working Children,” in Bangalore, India, “Planting Hope,” in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, “The Back AIDS Institute,” in Durban, South Africa and the “Marine Science Institute,” in the Philippines. Students also interned domestically in organizations such as the Dickinson College Farm in Pennsylvania, the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York and the Harvard Lab for Developmental Studies.
For students interested in applying for funding, they should first apply for their desired internships. However, these internships do not need to be secured prior to the funding application. The funding applications are available through students’ My CDC and all full-time students are eligible to apply, with a variety of distinctive and specific funding awards available. Successful applications are those that include well-constructed resumes and captivating essays that illustrate the student’s individual stories, passions, and future career goals. In addition to the funding opportunities offered through the CDC, there are also funding sources on campus such as SEE-Beyond and SGA's Responsible Citizenship Internship Award.
Beyond SSFIAP, the CDC is also an invaluable resource for resume building, career consultation, and counseling for life after Skidmore. Through their “What’s Next: Four Year Initiative,” they have formulated strong engagement with students throughout their time at Skidmore to ensure students’ smooth transition to life after college. The CDC also provides access to an impressive database of alumni who are willing to connect and network with current students.
There are a total of five, hardworking career counselors who work with students throughout their career development process in order to provide specific support tailored to each student. The CDC is located in the Starbuck Center, with career coaches accessible daily for student drop-in hours between 10am to 4pm for resume and cover letter review, as well as to answer pressing questions on current resources. To reach out the CDC, email cdc@skidmore.edu or call (518) 580-5790.
*The writer of this article received a Summer Funded Internship award in 2016.