The Sadove First Year Internship Program

The Sadove First-Year Internship Program is intended to prepare first-year students for Career-Related Experiences (CRE)/internships by participating in a series of activities. Upon completion of the outlined activities and securing a qualifying CRE, participants will be eligible for a stipend of up to *$2,000. All questions regarding the program can be sent to sadoveip@hamilton.edu.

Participant submissions concluded on November 17. 

How it works:

Participants must complete a series of activities throughout the academic year and participate in a summer CRE or internship that meets the indicated criteria (outlined below.)

Program requirements:

• Communicate 101 - Resume/Cover Letter
• Communicate 201 - LinkedIn/Networking
• Explore 101- Career & Self
• Explore 201 - Exploring Industries
• Connect 101 - Building Experience
• Connect 201 - Navigating a Search

These requirements can be met through one of our signature events such as First-Year HeadStart and group sessions. The program coordinator will send notifications when sessions are scheduled and keep participants up to date about their progress.

Upon completion of the required workshops, participants will receive a CRE proposal form. The proposal form will be submitted along with a confirmation from the CRE contact/supervisor for review. If approved, students will sign a contract that outlines the expectations for the experience (e.g. reporting, summer reflection, employer feedback, etc.)

Qualifiers for CREs/internships

• The minimum number of hours for a qualifying experience is 150. Participants can combine more than one experience to meet the minimum number of hours.
• The experience(s) can be minimally-paid or unpaid.
• The experience can be in-person, hybrid or fully virtual.
• There must be a supervisor or mentor who can complete any necessary confirmations for the experience.
• Hamilton College’s on-campus research projects or departmental positions do not qualify for the program.

Finding and securing a CRE

We encourage you to think outside of the box for your CRE. It can be a variety of experiences, such as those listed below. 

Traditional internship
You may find opportunities such as Handshake, LinkedIn, or an employer's website and apply to a structured program. Although more common for upperclass students, it is possible for rising sophomores to find an opportunity through these platforms. 

Nontraditional internship
Networking is a great way to find opportunities. Reach out to an employer of interest to ask if they’re willing to take an intern for the summer. Start by sending an exploratory email, expressing interest in working unpaid for an organization that may not have an internship program or job published on their website. 

Shadowing 
A less hands-on approach than an internship where you may follow (or shadow) an employee in their workplace and learn what it is like to perform that particular role. 

Project-based Work
These are less common CREs, but are a good option if it fits your career path. 

Volunteering
Because of credentialing, liability, or confidentiality, for example, some professions don’t offer internships to undergraduate students. Volunteering is a great way to learn about a particular role or industry. 

Examples of CREs students have participated in:

• Volunteered with local political campaign
• Phone banking, brainstormed social media ideas, and projects, researched and produced briefs for a candidate to evaluate on organizations to pursue endorsements if their priorities aligned with their platform
• Volunteered with a local temple and cultural society
• Acted as the event organizer and volunteer coordinator by managing volunteers' schedules and tasks and making sure needs were being met
• Shadowed at an accounting firm
• Shadowed various professionals including accountants, while also providing administrative support through answering phones, talking to customers, setting up appointments, and data entry
• Internship with a wealth management firm 
• Internship with a pharmacy (call patients with filled prescriptions, organized prescriptions, help staff reorder and do inventory, filling out paperwork, etc.)
• Volunteered at a non-profit as an English language tutor 
• Volunteered at a local library transcribing anti-slavery letters
• Conducted research for a Professor at another University/College (non-Hamilton)

How and when will participants receive the stipend?
Funds are distributed after we receive the signed CRE contract. The funds are distributed via Accounts Payable direct deposit (different from payroll direct deposit). It takes 2-3 weeks for funds to arrive to the registered bank account. Instructions can be found on the Accounts Payable webpage.

Note: A paper check will be mailed to your home address on record if you do not register for Accounts Payable direct deposit

*Funding is intended to assist with cost-of-living expenses only and is not intended to provide an income.