The 2020 class of Bryant’s Summer Internship Fellows are hard at work making their mark at business and organizations throughout New England. Offered through Bryant’s nationally-recognized Amica Center for Career Education, the Summer Internship Fellowships empower students to pursue high-level internships that only provide a small stipend or are unpaid. The fellowship support allows students to explore career options, learn more about a prospective field, and develop the skills they'll need for success.

“The fellowships are a great opportunity for Bryant students,” says Benjamin Giglio ’21, who is interning with Beat the Streets Providence, a nonprofit that empowers disadvantaged youth, through his fellowship. “They open up a lot of people’s eyes to what they like, what they find interesting, and all of the options open to them.”

“You’re going to take the amazing skills you’ve developed both inside and outside the classroom to the organizations you’re partnering with and be a force for good as they face difficult challenges.”

Paths to success

“The fellowships give students early hands-on experience in an area of interest,” explains Amy Ames, Amica Center Career Coach and Summer Internship Fellowship Coordinator. “It helps them prepare not only for the work they will be doing in the future, but also for working in a professional organization.” Representing both Bryant’s College of Business and College of Arts and Sciences, the fellows are selected based on how their internship experiences will help them prepare for the future. 

This summer, the fellowship program is funding opportunities ranging from working to develop branding for a small excavation company in Thornton, NH, to creating an online presence for a kitchen gadget company in Chicago, to shadowing the attorneys of a law firm in Brockton, MA. “This is our fifth year awarding these fellowships and every year I am impressed with the places our students go,” says Ames.

“This year posed a considerable challenge given the need for internships to be remote or COVID-safe, and our Bryant students did not disappoint in coming up with unique and creative ways to gain experience and contribute while staying safe. All of the recipients are passionate about exploring and learning more,” Ames notes.

The fellowships don’t only benefit the Bryant students; they also provide great interns, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Both organizations and people are defining themselves by how they approach this unique and challenging time and you will be right in the center of things,” noted Inge Lise Ameer, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, at a reception for the fellowship recipients. “You’re going to take the amazing skills you’ve developed both inside and outside the classroom to the organizations you’re partnering with and be a force for good as they face difficult challenges.”

“I’m really grateful for the fellowship, because if I’d had to do something else I guarantee that I wouldn’t get the same level of fulfillment that I do working with Beat the Streets."

Opening eyes

Giglio, a Finance major, first connected with Beat the Streets through Bryant’s Management 200 Principles and Practice course, which pairs students with nonprofits and provides them with experience executing real-world management projects. Inspired by the organization’s mission and the opportunity to give back to others, he approached Beat the Streets this spring about working as an intern – their first. His fellowship provided him the support he needed to make the non-paying internship viable.

As a financial planning and analysis intern, he’s helping to analyze the organization’s budget, hold fundraisers, and even work on the nonprofit’s annual report. “I feel like the work I’m doing is helping me to differentiate myself,” he says. “They’ve put a lot of trust in me.”

He’s also working with the kids at Beat the Streets, developing programs, mentoring, and sometimes just providing support. During a time of uncertainty, Giglio is glad that the Summer Internship Fellowship program made the opportunity possible. “I’m really grateful for the fellowship, because if I’d had to do something else I guarantee that I wouldn’t get the same level of fulfillment that I do working with Beat the Streets,” he says.