Now in its 11th year, the Career Development Center's Summer Experience Fund awards continue to provide $4000 awards to Skidmore students pursuing unpaid internships in diverse industries and locations.  This year, the 2019 application deadline is March 25 at noon.

In 2018, the CDC received more than 400 applications from students.  70+ recipients received funding.

"It's very competitive," said Penny Loretto, a CDC Career Counselor who manages the SEF program.  "Students should apply to as many awards as possible to increase their chances of being selected.  More important is that students prepare early and have their materials reviewed by the CDC well in advance of the March 25 application deadline."   (Note: Drop-in counseling hours are available in the CDC on a first come/first serve basis.  Join us March 18 or March 19 to learn how to have your application stand out from the crowd!)

The 2018 award recipients pursued a wide range of opportunities with their $4000 awards.  Some examples include:

2018 Summer Experience Fund Winner, Cassie Taylor '19, a Studio Art major, served as a Studio ad Curatorial Intern at The Center for Book Arts in New York City.   Cassie said of her experience, "My internship was dedicated to learning letterpress printing and book-binding, while working on creative projects for the Center.  I have learned invaluable collaborative skills that I know will help me in any future career that I pursue."

2018 SEF Award Winner Cambel Iribuka '20, an International Affairs and French double major, interned at the New Settlement's College Access Center in Bronx, New York.  "New Settlement provides a range of services that guide our community’s first-generation college-aspiring youth through the steps necessary to prepare for and apply to college and secure financial aid," said Cambel.  "I knew that I needed to spend the summer getting work experience and toning up my soft skills.  I also knew an income was more than necessary for me to pursue this internship. The funding from the CDC was a foundation for me being able to pay for transportation around the city and also to pay for rent."

Cinthia Duran Larrea '19 won The Megan McAdams-Roldan ‘08 International Community Service award.  Cinthia is an international student from Ecuador pursuing an International Affairs and Dance double major.  Last summer, she interned at Yachay Wasi, "the home of knowledge," in Quito, Ecuador.  Cinthia said of her award, " I was successful in finding a summer internship where I could apply all my fields of interest within my majors: social justice movements and indigenous resistance in Latin America, as well as dance as a tool for social change.  The SEF award  helped me cover all expenses related to transportation, housing and food. I would not have been able to intern full time with Yachay Wasi without this support."

We are excited to see where this year's winners go!  All applicants should apply to SEF awards through Handshake by March 25 at noon-- NO EXCEPTIONS.  Any questions can be directed to internshipfunding@skidmore.edu.