Internships & Externships

[The Summer 2021 Beyond Barnard Internship Program application is now closed. The application deadline for Summer 2021 was April 15. Updates for the Fall application will be posted at the start of the new 2021-2022 academic year.]

The Beyond Barnard Internship Program (BBIP) provides funding and supportive programming for students pursuing unpaid or low-pay internships. Grant amounts vary by program. The guiding principle of the BBIP is that all students should have equal access to internship experiences that advance their professional and intellectual goals, and that internships should entail structured training and support.

BBIP grants and programs are available in fall and spring semester, with an additional application process for the summer. Nearly 300 students participate in this program each year, taking advantage of funding, workshops, and opportunities to connect with alumnae of the BBIP for advice on careers.

To improve access, note that internships need not be secured at the time of application. Students can apply to the BBIP without having finalized their internship plans. Grant recipients have time after decisions are issued to secure their internship.

Questions about BBIP can be sent to beyondbarnard@barnard.edu.

The GRoWing the Arts Internship Program, made possible by GRoW @ Annenberg, provides funding and supportive programming for Barnard students who are completing summer internships in arts organizations. GRoW @ Annenberg, a philanthropic initiative led by Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, is dedicated to supporting humanitarian efforts across the globe, as well as innovative projects in health, education, the arts, the environment, civic and cultural life, and more.

The Summer 2021 GRoWing the Arts Internship Program application is now available. Please use the link below to access the application. The deadline to submit a completed application for Summer 2021 is April 1 by 12pm. 

Summer 2021 GRoWing the Arts Internship Program Application

Selected students also have access to subsidized on-campus housing. Internship funding is available to current first years, sophomores, and juniors. All majors (and undecided students) are eligible to apply.  GRoWing the Arts internships can be at for- or non-profit organizations. International students are eligible, though we highly recommend consulting with the Office of International Student Affairs to discuss necessary steps regarding Curricular Practical Training.
 

• The program requires that students work in arts organizations for 30-35 hours per week from the last week of May until the last week of July (10 weeks). Students are also expected to attend regular all-cohort workshops and programs. At the conclusion of the program, students will present a project of their own design at a conference for all participants, attended by faculty, supervisors, alumnae, and other guests.
   
• Please note: students are not required to have finalized the details of their internship by the time they apply for the GRoWing the Arts Internship. The application will ask applicants to indicate how far along they are in either (a) defining in partnership with faculty and an organization or (b) applying for an internship for which they will use GRoWing the Arts funding.
   
• Students who apply, but are not chosen, for a GRoWing the Arts Internship Grant will automatically be considered for a Beyond Barnard Internship Grant.

Questions? Email beyondbarnard@barnard.edu.

Internships often an invaluable step toward focusing career goals and preparing for life after college. Barnard's location in New York City provides a distinctive advantage for students looking to intern during the academic year, given the proximity to an enormous supply of non-profit, corporate, and governmental organizations.

Through internships, students gain work experience and develop skills and an understanding of different work cultures. Students also develop valuable contacts or mentors from internships and possibly obtain offers of full-time employment upon graduation. When applying for full-time positions, employers often expect students to have gained experience from internships, part-time jobs, and campus activities. In addition, there are certain fields where it is essential to gain hands-on experience in order to be competitive for future full-time employment opportunities.

Please read more about the Beyond Barnard Internship Program, which provides funding to offset the cost of unpaid internships. Questions? Email beyondbarnard@barnard.edu.

We always encourage students to consult with Beyond Barnard before pursuing an internship. We can help you apply for opportunities, identify paid positions that might get you the experience you need, or help you find funding that can offset the cost of taking an unpaid internship. The earlier you speak with an advisor, the more we can do to partner with you in your search. Schedule time in Handshake, visit during walk-in hours, or email us at beyondbarnard@barnard.edu.

When an Employer Says they Require Credit for an Unpaid Internship:

The College does not offer academic credit for internships. In all cases, we encourage students to work with Beyond Barnard to identify internships that align with your academic and professional goals, and that fairly compensate you for your work. In partnership with the Dean of Studies Office, students can petition to receive academic credit for an independent study.

Please address any questions about pursuing an independent study to Beyond Barnard and the Dean of Studies Office.

Additional Information:

If your internship is unpaid, you should be familiar with the U.S. guidelines regarding unpaid internships for for-profit entities. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, interns are entitled to receive at least minimum wage unless the position may be categorized as a Trainee/Learner position. The U.S. Department of Labor has established a six-part test for “for-profit” organizations to determine whether a position qualifies as a Trainee/Learner position and may be unpaid.

• The internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment;
• The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern;
• The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff;
• The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern, and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded;
• The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship; and
• The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship.

Again, please feel free to address questions to beyondbarnard@barnard.edu.

An externship is a short-term opportunity to shadow an individual at their place of work. An externship gives students a brief glimpse into the everyday life of employees in an industry.

Each semester, Beyond Barnard facilitates opportunities for students to complete externships hosted by alumnae in New York City. Application deadlines and additional information are released in Handshake.