Goucher Intern Fellowship

JoAnna Ramsey ’16 had been interested in film preservation for years and knew exactly what she needed to do to move forward in the field. So when she was looking for internships in film archives, the George Eastman House: International Museum of Photography and Film in Rochester, New York, was the first place she looked. She got the internship, moving her closer to her dream career.

It was Ramsey’s focus and drive that helped her land an internship in a program generally reserved for graduate students, but it was the Goucher Intern Fellowship (GIF) that helped fund it. “Without the GIF I would not have been able to finance my two months in Rochester,” said the junior, who used the funds to help pay for tuition and housing.

“Internships are a great way to figure things out,” said Danielle Pellegrini, the assistant director of internships in the Career Development Office. “The CDO funding helps with the financial aspect so students have more choices in what they can do.”

Students can qualify for a stipend of $2,500 for domestic or $4,000 for international internships. To apply for a GIF, the student must be a current Goucher first-year, sophomore, or junior and be eligible to participate in an internship for academic credit. The deadline to apply for this year’s funding is Tuesday, April 21.

The application process requires students to describe the potential internship, provide an estimated budget, write a short essay, and secure a faculty recommendation. A committee of faculty and staff from different backgrounds and fields review applications. Though the entire application must be completed, Pellegrini said the essay is an especially important part. “This is their way to let us know why the fellowship is an important part of them being able to complete the internship experience.”

Ramsey encourages other Goucher students to apply for this generous funding. “If there is an internship that you really want to do, or that you know would help you with your career goals, and the only factor stopping you from applying or accepting a spot at the internship is finances, then I would really recommend applying for the GIF,” she said. “If you aren’t sure about what you want to do with your degree after school, internships can be incredibly helpful in showing you the possible fields you could go into.”

Pellegrini agrees. “Internships are important because it helps students identify a real-world component to their academic work; it’s an extension of the classroom,” she says. Pellegrini often uses herself as an example, citing an internship that helped her realize that what she enjoyed studying wasn’t exactly what she wanted in a full-time, real-world capacity.

Monique Welch ’16, who interned with a radio program on WEAA 88.9 FM, said her internship enforced her idea of what she wanted to pursue in the future. “The internships gave me hands-on experience with a lot of professional equipment that I read about in my classes,” she said. She’s searching for another internship and encourages others to take advantage of what Goucher has in their own search. “Utilize the resources provided to you, and even if you do not get the GIF funding do not let that hinder your acceptance of a great internship,” she said.

Internships also help students get into the job groove. “Internships set them up for a job search in a more controlled environment,” Pellegrini says, citing even showing up on time, having a boss, or interviewing as important steps in career development.

Need an internship? Search listings of internships by visiting Goucher Recruit or working one-on-one with someone at the CDO to find an opportunity that fits your needs.

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