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

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

Natalie Hodis ’21, Develops Lessons Plans for the Recovery Education Class, Recovery and Me, With Trilogy Recovery Community in Walla Walla, WA

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

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What is the Whitman Internship Grant?

The Whitman Internship Grant (WIG) is a competitive grant that provides funding to students who secure or build an unpaid internship opportunity at non-profit organizations, some for-profit organizations, and government offices. A Whitman Internship Grant may be provided for a semester, academic year, or domestic/international 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. 

Application Process

  1. Review application materials and complete prerequisites. These prerequisites are: 1) Applicants must meet with a Career Coach in the SEC or a Student Career Advisors 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.

  2. Secure an unpaid internship opportunity. The internship supervisor will need to sign documents for the application. 

  3. 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 semester and academic year funding are closed. If you have any questions or would like to know more about the WIG program, send an email to sec_info@whitman.edu. 

The next cycle will be for Fall 2021 and academic year 2021-22. 

Applications for Summer 2021 Whitman Internship Grants are now closed. If you have any questions or would like to know more about the WIG program, send an email to sec_info@whitman.edu. 

The next cycle will be for Summer 2022. 

This cycle of International Summer 2021 Whitman Internship Grant application is now closed. If you are interesed in talking more about how to pursue an international WIG, send an email to sec_info@whitman.edu. 

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:

  1. Are established and financially secure and have websites that instill confidence in the reader, AND
  2. 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.