Challenges Faced by Students of Color
Research indicates that there is a much larger racial wealth gap than there is a racial income gap. The median wealth of white households is 12 times greater than that of black households. More than a quarter of black families have a net worth of zero or less, compared to less than 10% of white families.
Resources Available for Students of Color
College Career Path Services: Research shows that students of color are more likely to visit their college’s career services center than white students. Career services can assist with job-related tasks such as resume writing, interview preparation, and self-assessment. Career services are also a good place to start looking for internship opportunities.
Professional Associations: There is no need to wait until you land an entry-level job to join a professional association, and many offer discounts for students. Use the association directory to find organizations in your area and start building your network while you study.
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU): HACU sponsors a variety of programs, including scholarships, career development, and pre-college support. The National Internship Program for Hispanics (HNIP) runs three sessions per year and partners with companies such as Google, Oracle, and Ford Motor Company, as well as various government agencies.
INROADS, Inc.: This nonprofit organization offers paid internship opportunities for high school and college students who have at least 27 credit hours before graduation. Students can be majoring in a variety of fields and career interests, including business, economics, software engineering, supply chain management, retail management, healthcare, and liberal arts. Opportunities also include Propel-BDHEA internships for students considering medical and healthcare-related careers. INROADS interns have worked at more than 200 companies, including Boeing, TD Bank, Pfizer, Deloitte, and United Health Group.
Minority Access, Inc. National Diversity and Inclusion Internship Program: This organization connects undergraduate and graduate students with internship opportunities in government agencies in the Washington, D.C. area. The organization pays stipends, benefits, and travel expenses and provides housing assistance.
Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO): SEO Career is an educational and professional development organization that offers several programs, including an internship program that connects students of color with paid opportunities in financial services, technology, business services, and real estate. SEO Career states that 80% of its interns receive full-time job offers from their partners.
Top Internship Opportunities for Students of Color
What is the best internship opportunity for you? It depends on your career goals, educational background, interests, and financial situation. To give you an idea of the possibilities, we’ve compiled some promising opportunities in a variety of fields, including arts, media, government, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
All of the internship opportunities on this list are paid, and some cover travel expenses. Read more about each opportunity for additional details.
Summer Research Early Identification Program: The SR-EIP provides training in research and mentoring for undergraduate students who wish to apply for PhD or MD/PhD programs. Students spend eight to ten weeks conducting research at one of the member institutions in the Leadership Alliance, which includes Ivy League schools and historically black colleges and universities. Student researchers then present their findings at the National Leadership Alliance Conference. This internship offers a stipend and travel and housing expenses.
Congressional Hispanic Institute: The CHCI Congressional Internship Program operates year-round, providing Latino college students the opportunity to work in a Congressional office. Typical tasks include responding to constituent inquiries, conducting research, attending policy briefings, and congressional sessions. This program offers a stipend and covers transportation, housing, and leadership training costs.
Program
The Getty University Maro Internship: The Getty Maro Internship program focuses on “outstanding students from underrepresented groups in museum and visual arts professions.” Participants spend 10 weeks learning about conservation, preservation, education, and related topics at art institutions in Los Angeles, including the Getty Center and the Getty Villa. This internship offers a stipend of $6,000.
T. Howard Foundation Internship Program: Although this program is open to students from all backgrounds, its goal is to provide opportunities for students from underrepresented groups in media and entertainment. This full-time summer internship includes mentorship, paid membership in professional organizations, and networking events.
Student Partnership Program for the Small American Energy Educational Foundation: This program is open to high school, college, and graduate students and provides summer internship opportunities at the U.S. Department of Energy and its national laboratories. Interns receive a stipend, housing, and travel expenses.
Diversity Leaders Intern Program at McKinsey and Company: This program provides second-year students with a consulting experience that enables them to gain hands-on experience at a McKinsey office in North America. There is also a program for first-year students, and current opportunities are available in various locations.
Microsoft Internship Program: Microsoft is committed to “hiring individuals who are underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields” and seeks to attract diverse college students from the U.S. These internship opportunities include competitive salaries, benefits, and other perks.
NBCUniversal Internship Program: In addition to a summer fellowship program aimed at attracting diverse applicants for summer internships before graduation, NBCUniversal hires remote interns for the fall semester.
Is This Internship Right for You?
Here are some criteria to consider when evaluating opportunities:
Is the internship paid? Consider the cost of the opportunity for you, which may include travel, housing, and living expenses in your new city.
Does the company support diversity? Look beyond diversity and inclusion groups. Is the company listed in any rankings of supportive institutions, such as DiversityInc’s Top 50? What do current and former employees say about the company culture on social media and on Glassdoor and LinkedIn?
Will the internship lead to a full-time job after graduation? Some internship programs may offer statistics on the number of interns who are hired as full-time employees. If they do not provide this, it is perfectly acceptable to ask during your interview what job opportunities are available for former interns.
What other resources does the internship provide? In addition to stipends, academic credit, and work experience, some internship programs may offer training assistance, mentorship, and test preparation help, etc.
How to Secure an Internship Opportunity
Remember that diversity enhances profitability for employers. Your perspective and experience are valuable. Look for organizations that support diversity and inclusion that will provide you with the experience and skills you seek. Prepare for your interview by researching the company. Use your internship experience to build relationships with key individuals and mentors. Turn your internship into a potential full-time job by making a good impression.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/internship-opportunities-for-students-of-color-5070956
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