Bryant’s Summer Internship Fellowship Program enables students to pursue internships that provide a foundation for success. The fellowships, offered through the University’s Amica Center for Career Education, help expand access to unpaid or low-paying internships, empowering students to explore fields that interest them as they build their careers.

“These fellowships give students the opportunity to have real-world work experience and learn from professionals,” says Amy Ames, Career Coach at the Amica Center. “It’s important for every student to have the opportunity to pursue the careers that inspire them and practice the skills they’ve learned.”

Going out in the world

This year’s 11 fellowship recipients representing both the College of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences were selected by a panel of career center staffers, faculty members, administrators, and a former recipient. Awardees were chosen based on how their internships connected with their course of study, academic preparation, and career goals.

"This is the field I want to enter and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

“I want to get my hands dirty, and learn about the aspects of marketing that we can’t experience in a classroom,” explains Marketing major Nick Blonder ’21, who will be working as a sales and marketing intern at New Tradition Media in Manhattan this summer. “I’m excited that I’ll get to work alongside, and learn from, a group of people with so much experience.” 

Jamie Levenson ’20 will be applying what she’s learned in classes such as Consumer Behavior and Marketing Research to the world of arts and culture as a marketing and employee experience intern at the Peabody Essex Museum. “It allows me to test my knowledge and apply my skills and see if this is something I want to do,” she says. The fellowships, says Levenson, “allow us to take advantage of incredible opportunities without having to worry about not having an income over the summer.”

In addition to acquiring experience, the recipients often use the fellowships to make long-time aspirations a reality. “It’s my dream internship,” Communication major Mikayla Nogueira ’20 says of her upcoming summer with radio station FUN107. She’ll be writing articles and newscasts, filming and editing videos, running social media pages, and creating on-air content. These experiences, she says, will help her build a portfolio and secure a creative marketing position when she launches her career. “This is the field I want to enter and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

“I’m really passionate about criminal justice reform, so I’m hoping to learn as much as I can about the criminal justice system.”

That sentiment is common among the recipients. Sabrina Barron ’21, a Psychology major, will travel to Israel this summer to conduct research at Bar-Ilan University. “Being able to do research like this has always been a dream of mine,” says Barron. “I’m glad the fellowship helped make it possible.”

Serving the underserved

There’s another common thread among the recipients – their eagerness to assist others. Several have chosen to intern with nonprofits, hospitals, and other public service institutions. “The Summer Internship Fellowships often serve as a conduit for students who are ambitious, caring people who want to engage with and gain valuable experience from people and places that otherwise might go unserved,” says John R. Saddlemire, Ed.D., Bryant’s Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.

“This position is something I was very interested in,” says Andrew McCotter ’21, President of the Bryant Law Society, who, along with Melissa Rodriguez ’21, will be interning at the Rhode Island Public Defender’s office. “I’m really passionate about criminal justice reform, so I’m hoping to learn as much as I can about the criminal justice system. It seems like diving in and getting firsthand experience is the best way to do that.”

The students are eager to take advantage of the opportunities in front of them – and to make a difference. “The world needs you,” Ames told the fellowship recipients at a reception celebrating their selection. “It needs your passion and your enthusiasm and your excellent education to make progress.” 

“This year’s group of students represents the heart of Bryant,” she notes. “They’re all following their passions and have a true desire to serve others.”