We recently held a program about finding summer opportunities. A panel of five students discussed their experiences from this past summer and how they obtained those internships. We asked the panelists to share some insight and advice for all of you. Here is what Shaneece Lane, a sophomore majoring in Clinical Psychology/Child Study and Human Development, had to say:

The Tisch Summer Fellows program, run through the Tisch College for Public Service and Civic Engagement, partners Jumbos with government and non-profit positions throughout Boston, NYC, and D.C. This past summer, I was granted the opportunity to work in Washington, D.C., as an administrative assistant for Jumpstart – a countrywide network of volunteers who provide individualized attention and positive adult-child relationships to prepare preschool children in low-income neighborhoods for school success. My position encompassed all D.C. program sites, meaning my responsibilities were divided among five universities (American University, George Washington University, Howard University, Catholic University, and University of the District of Columbia), as well as the regional office downtown.

Daily responsibilities included:

  • Managing phone and email correspondence
  • Supervising approximately 30 Corps Members during the two-month summer program
  • Conducting in-service observations and providing feedback for professional development

In addition, I was able to solicit donations from local businesses to enrich the curriculum and materials alongside collaborating events with community shelters (St. Stephen’s Incarnation and National Center for Children and Families) to promote out-house civic engagement and networking.

Outside the Jumpstart offices, I took part in many networking and enrichment opportunities:

  • Community events, professional forums, and workshops surrounding national policies for early childhood education and the public school system. Although hosted in posh venues such as five-star hotels and law firms, these events were open to anyone.
  • Unique weekly, mostly morning, alumni panels in which, over donuts and coffee, the Fellows gathered to ask professional Jumbos their college profiles, opportunities abroad, school-to-work transition, and the struggles in between. In a business-casual but comfortable setting, undergraduate Jumbos could gain insight into life after graduation. With these alumni, we shared unforgettable experiences in places such as the Smithsonian museums, international law firms, and the Pentagon.

Pentagon

Tips:

  • Displaying vivacity and passion for public service will prove beneficial for your application.
  • Professional formatting of the resume and cover letter is essential, as well.
  • Emphasize experiences, underscoring developed skill sets needed for the position. (Job descriptions are posted on the application site – READ THOROUGHLY.) Being able to describe the significance of your experiences is much more meaningful than a laundry list of trivial moments.
  • Furthermore, because housing arrangements are solely the responsibility of the Fellow, it is important to find and confirm living conditions as soon as possible. Placing caution on family homes and hostels, many university campuses have great accommodations for a range of prices; be sure to look for tax exemptions (usually for students who attend another school in the same state) and potential roommates, which can significantly lower the cost.

If you are interested in applying for the Tisch Summer Fellows Program, please note that the deadline is January 15 at 9:00 a.m.