Internships & Externships

Applications for the Spring 2021 Beyond Barnard Internship Program will open in the second half of January. Please note the following policies related to COVID-19 for grant recipients.

• All currently enrolled first years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply.
• Priority will be given to students who have not previously been awarded a grant, but all are encouraged to submit an application
• Research work at Columbia University will not be eligible for internships
• Grants cannot be used to support work on political campaigns, nor can they be used for any work that involves religious proselytizing
• Grants will be paid out as a stipend before the end of the semester; students are required to update their payroll paperwork to ensure timely payment
• In Spring 2021, grantees will need to affirm that there will be remote options for their internship
• Beyond Barnard will communicate with all supervisors to confirm remote work
• In-person internships will be allowed, provided that their conduct comports with policies stipulated by Barnard College, and federal, state, and local regulations related to essential labor, social distancing, etc.

The Application Process:

• Students apply for an unpaid internship at an organization or design a new unpaid internship in partnership with an organization, Barnard alumna, etc.
• Students then apply to the Beyond Barnard Internship Program grants. The application will be available on Handshake beginning on or about January 15. It asks applicants for a resume and a set of short-answer questions.
• Please note, students do not need to have an internship secured by the time they apply to the Beyond Barnard Internship Program. Rather, applicants will be asked how far along they are in securing an internship. In other words whether you have an internship at the time of application will not affect your eligibility.
• Applications will be reviewed by the BBIP Selection Committee after the deadline, which will be indicated in Handshake. Late applications will only be reviewed after all materials that have been submitted on time. 
• We strongly recommend that applicants have their resumes reviewed by Beyond Barnard prior to submitting

Requirements:

All Beyond Barnard Internship Program grant recipients are expected to:

• Attend orientation
• Complete a minimum of 60 hours at their internship during the Spring Semester
• Schedule time with Peer Career Advisors to update their resume
• Attend occasional programs designed to help interns make the most of their experience
• Write a thank you note to Beyond Barnard Internship Program grant donors
• Participate in optional Instagram takeovers to showcase their work

Questions about the program 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.

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.

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.