Alumni Internship Assistance Fund

Inaugural Gift through the Class of 2009

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The Career Center is pleased to have the opportunity to provide internship funding opportunities for Notre Dame students through the generous donations of Notre Dame Alumni. Developed by the inspiration of the Class of 2009 this fund will hopefully continue to grow and prosper with on-going donations and support from alumni.

Internships are significant opportunities for students to gain experience and training related to their career interests and academic endeavors. A successful internship should contain a functional learning component along with a greater understanding of the organization and the industry within which the internship takes place. The Career Center recommends students participate in internships to help clarify their career decisions and provide them valuable experiences that will prove attractive to future employers.

The award program is not payment for a student’s internship, it is funds made available to pay living expenses for participating in an unpaid internship. Therefore all internship employment issues, documentation, processing etc. will be between the student and their internship employer, not the student and Notre Dame.

Who is eligible?

  • To be eligible, students must be a current Notre Dame freshman, sophomore or junior, participating in an internship that meets the program criteria and have submitted all of the required documentation by the noted deadline. First preference is given to juniors, but freshman and sophomores will be considered based upon the application pool.
  • Students are encouraged to utilize Career Center services in their internship search and will receive support from the The Career Center staff with their internship search, but will need to obtain and be hired into their internship on their own accord.
  • Students can receive the award for only one summer during their tenure at Notre Dame.

Internship Criteria

There are a select number of students chosen each year. Internships must meet the following guidelines:

  • Unpaid
  • Employment on a full-time basis for a minimum of 8 weeks during the summer of 2010
  • Duties must be of a level consistent with the student’s level of education, related to their area of study and consistent with their career goals.
  • Located in the United States or abroad.
  • Internship must involve working for an “organization” while being directed by a supervisor/mentor within that organization. The components of an internship should include the opportunity to grow intellectually thus enhancing skills developed through their Notre Dame education, develop knowledge and skills specific to a career or setting, provide a positive impact on the organization, explore career options, understand career pathways, and acquire professional skills.
  • Volunteer programs are not eligible
  • Internship can be in any function area or industry
  • US and international opportunities are eligible
  • If applicant is applying for additional funding through other Notre Dame programs they must make note of that on their application. Additional funding may have an impact on the amount of money received by the Alumni Internship Assistance Fund.

How will students apply to the program?

Before funds are approved and distributed, hard copies of the following documents must be completed and submitted to The Career Center GII office.

  1. Intern Enrollment Form – completed by student
  2. Employer Verification Form – completed by employer
  3. Student Agreement/Waiver Form – completed by student
  4. Projected Summer Expense Report – completed by student indicating expenses and financial need, please include sourcing where applicable
  5. Personal Resume
  6. 1-2 page essay
    - describing your internship organization and position including roles and responsibilities,
    - how you will grow intellectually, thus enhancing skills developed through a Notre Dame education
    - specific learning objectives, focusing on how the internship will help you develop knowledge and skills specific to a career or setting,
    - to explore career options, understand career pathways and acquire work skills, e.g. communication, coping, teamwork, time management, interpersonal skills and goal setting.
  7. All applicants must read the Tax Implications Letter regarding receipt of this award and the affect it may have on your taxes.
  8. All applicants receiving financial aid should contact the Financial Aid office to evaluate the impact receiving of these funds may have on their financial aid package.
  9. All applicants should meet with the GII Program Director at some time before submission of their documents.

What amount is available for the internship award?

Amounts up to $2000 will be provided, based upon the submitted, projected travel and temporary living expenses associated with participating in the internship..

What is the deadline for submission?

  • Applications will be accepted from November 9, 2009 through April 2, 2010 according to the three deadline time frames listed below
  • Applicants can apply without having received an offer/accepted a position, but determination will not be made until applicant has received an offer with the intent to accept as funding is awarded based upon a specific internship
  • Awards will be made for each time frame within two weeks of the deadline. Applicants will receive either an acceptance, waitlist or denial status

Fall Deadline: November 9, 2009 – December 21, 2009
Winter Deadline: January 1, 2010 – February 12, 2010
Spring Deadline: February 22, 2010 – April 2, 2010

Selection Process

  • All required paperwork must be completed and received in The Career Center by 5:00 pm of the submitted deadline date to be considered for funding.
  • Funding is not guaranteed until the approval process has been completed and awarded by the Alumni Internship Assistance Fund Committee
  • Awards will be announced within 2 weeks of the timeframe deadline
  • Applicants will be selected based upon the
    - Quality of the experience related to their career goals.
    - Quality of essay in describing the value of the experience as related to their career goals.

What are the student’s responsibilities if they are selected for an award?

  • Represent Notre Dame by engaging in your internship at the highest level of performance and to follow student conduct guidelines as written in duLac.
  • After the summer internship is completed, GII will request a short summary paper (1-3 pages) outlining your experiences and how you feel these experiences will help you in your future career. Due to GII by October 1, 2010
  • To write a note of appreciation to The Annual Fund/Class of 2009
  • To give permission for their name and internship details to be made available to the Annual Fund/Class of 2009 and to be available, if asked, to provide quotes/information for the Annual Fund and/or Class of 2009 newsletters
  • GII Awards are meant to cover travel and temporary living expenses related to their internship with stated employer. They are not considered payment for work for the employer or service to Notre Dame.
  • If a student fails to complete the agreed internship, it is the student’s responsibility to notify GII and return unused expense monies.
  • While students may choose to apply to all programs that are applicable to their eligibility, funding will only be received from one of the five available programs during the summer.

The University and The Career Center’s Global Internship Initiative at Notre Dame may add to, delete or amend these policies at any time.