Whitman Internship Grant

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Carlson Jones ’21, Participates in a Water Quality Monitoring Project With Kooskooskie Commons in Walla Walla, WA

Joy Nina Nampaso ’23, Learns How to Take and Record Vital Signs with Karen Hospital in Kenya

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Brian Warinner ’23, Combats the Invasive Species, Water Hyacinth, with Ecologists Without Borders in Lake Victoria

What is the Whitman Internship Grant?

The Whitman Internship Grant (WIG) is a competitive grant that provides funding to students who secure an unpaid internship at non-profit organzations, some for-profit organizations, and governmemnt offices. Whitman Internship Grant may be provided for a semester, academic year, or summer experience.

If you are interested in posting an unpaid internship opportunity to hire a student, visit the Want to Hire a Whittie page.

Student Eligibility Requirements

Any Whitman student who is eligible to work in the U.S. and is currently enrolled as a full time student may apply. International students who are a permanent resident or who has received OPT/CPT authorization may apply. For questions about OPT or CPT contact Greg Lecki. Students who have never applied for or received grant funding are strongly encouraged to apply. Students may be eligible to apply for and receive up to 3 terms of funding (includes receiving a Summer WIG).

Internship Eligibility Requirements

For an internship to be eligible for funding, it must abide by the the Fair Labor Standards Act. It is the applicant's responsibility to confirm that their unpaid internship meets the legal criteria. Internships cannot/must not be used to receive academic credit. It must be high-impact and be relevant to your educational goal and/or career interests. The internship also can't take place at Whitman College or involve religious work and must last the duration of the grant timeframe applicant's are pursuing (year-long, semester, or summer).

To find current opportunities, browse the listing of WIG eligible internships on Handshake.

How to Apply

Review application materials and complete prerequisites. These prerequisites are: 1) Applicants must meet with a Career Coach in the SEC to review, edit, and enhance their resume and 2) attend a WIG information session OR a SEC sponsored internship/career workshop. Find details of information sessions and eligible workshops on Handshake.
Secure an unpaid internship opportunity. The internship supervisor will need to sign documents for the application.
Complete the Whitman Internship Grant google application form linked in the application materials packet and submit.

Selected students will need to formally accept the offer prior to the start of their internship and move on to creating a financial proposal that will determine the amount of grant funding awarded.

Applications for Summer 2021 Whitman Internship Grants are available. Internships for this cycle must last a majority of the summer (mid-May to mid-August) to be eligible. Graduating seniors are not eligible to apply. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis; not all applicants will receive funding. Funding approval is based on the merits of the application. To maximize your chances, review the application materials packet carefully. Read the "Criteria for Application Evaluation Page" and utilize resources available from the SEC for application support.

This grant cycle has three deadlines:

March 21st
April 11th
May 2nd

Selected students will create and submit a financial proposal that will determine the amount of grant funding to be disbursed over the span of the internship length in monthly installments. The total awarded amount for the Summer 2021 WIG can be up to $3,500.

Application Materials Packet here.

If you have any questions, submit them through this form and we will get back to you as soon as possible. If you prefer to connect with someone 1:1, we invite you to schedule an appointment with Mitzy Rodriguez via Handshake.

This cycle of International Summer 2021 Whitman Internship Grant application is available to international students who are not in the U.S. and are seeking opportunities within their own localities abroad. If you are wanting to pursue an international WIG, please schedule an appointment with Mitzy Rodriguez via Handshake or email Greg Lecki (Associate Director of the Intercultural Center for International Student Support Services).

The International WIG program targets older students with demonstrated experience or existing relationships with organizations or individuals outside of the United States. Whitman students' safety and security are of foremost importance, and the application process is designed to minimize foreseeable risks associated with the internship. Internships are more likely to be successful if the organizations, businesses or government agencies chosen:

Are established and financially secure and have websites that instill confidence in the reader, AND
Have a connection to Whitman (via a member of Governing Board, staff, or faculty, or alumni or parent)

Linda King Brewer Internship Endowment

The Linda King Brewer Internship Endowment provided grant funding for unpaid internships relating to students' studies or future career plans. The Student Engagement Center selects the recipients for this endowment as a part of the Whitman Internship Grant program.

First Generation Internship & Career Endowment

The First Generation Internship and Career Opportunity Endowment provides funding for students to participate in summer internships, with a preference given to the fields of finance, investment management, or law. The awarded amount may include funding to cover additional expenses such as travel, housing, and business attire. The Student Engagement Center selects the recipients for this endowment as a part of the Whitman Internship Grant program. Open only to first-generation students entering their third or fourth year.