Career Development Office - Internships & Summer Jobs

SUMMER SERVE

The Internship

Internships through Summer Serve are expected to meet the following criteria. See detailed description in the "About Summer Serve" section. The internship should:

  • Address a specific organizational and community need in the Greater Philadelphia area at a non-profit or social service agency.
  • Should have some direct contact with the population of the mission of the organization
  • Be challenging and stimulating
  • Provide opportunities for learning and growth
  • Be full-time, 10-12 weeks during the months of June, July and August

Selection Process

Complete the application process by Monday, March 19, 2012.

  • Interviews will be scheduled at Haverford on a weekend in March, most likely the weekend of March 24.
  • Finalists will be notified in early April.
  • Selected finalists will be contacted by the Summer Serve Committee to discuss placement options.
  • Summer Serve will assist the finalists in selecting organizations that meet the students' interests.
  • Summer Serve finalists will interview with these organizations to determine placement. Acceptance is contingent upon finding an appropriate match.

Financial Support

To ensure that all students may participate, Summer Serve pays the expected summer earnings for a student on financial aid. Stipends are from $2000-$3500. Funding is generated primarily from the classes of 1994-2001. Other alumni and friends of the college are encouraged to express their support. Organizations are asked to but not required to contribute funds to the students stipend.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Email completed application and supporting materials to cdo@haverford.edu (subject line should be: Summer Serve Application).

ALL MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEADLINE

  1. Resume indicating past paid and volunteer work experiences, both on and off campus
  2. Request a letter of reference to be received in Career Development by the deadline
  3. Completed Application (download application form at the top right)
    • Names and contact information for two references (professor, employer, coach - may include person writing letter of reference mentioned above)
    • Answers to the following short answer questions:
      1. What skills and talents will you bring to a public service organization?
      2. What public service issues most interest you?
      3. List three organizations for which you might like to intern this summer.
        (This listing does not represent a commitment to serve any organization; rather, it provides an opportunity for you to research and select organizations that might reflect a good match of your interests and skills)
    • Essay limited to 2 single spaced pages. Use this opportunity to discuss your personal motivations to serve and your experiences with service. Here are some questions to think about as you write:
      1. What does community service mean to you?
      2. Describe any personal influences and motivations that inspire you to serve.
      3. Why would you value this experience?
      4. What is your vision for social change?
      5. Feel free to discuss past service experiences and specific goals for the summer.

While preparing your application, it is helpful to do as much research as possible on organizations that may be of interest to you. In the past, applicants with specific organizations in mind have been more prepared and successful during the interview process. While there is no need to have an internship confirmed, it is extremely helpful to know of a couple possibilities and to have given serious thought to where you would like to intern. Career Development and Eighth Dimension are happy to help you with this process before you apply.

If you have any questions, please contact: Dolores Reilly, HC '96; Amy Feifer, 610-896-1181; or Marilou Allen (610) 896-1183.

About Summer Serve

Summer Serve provides funding and guidance for rising juniors and seniors to embark on meaningful, paid summer internships in non-profits and social service agencies throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. The program is designed to inspire and enable Haverford students to work in the public and nonprofit sectors while building ties between the college and the greater community. A Summer Serve intern gains first-hand skills necessary for working in public service, while making a significant contribution to an organization. Following the summer internship, it is expected that students will play an active role in continuing the goals of Summer Serve. All students are encouraged to apply, with preference given to students on financial aid.

Summer Serve is made possible through the work of alumni/ae volunteers across the country and numerous Haverford offices, led by Eighth Dimension, Office of Major Gifts and Projects, and Career Development.

Program History

Summer Serve was founded in 1993 by a group of young alumni/ae who work or volunteer in the nonprofit sector. In the spirit of Haverford College's Eighth Dimension program, Summer Serve values an education that links academic study with practical experience and service-based learning. Summer Serve believes that young people, when given the opportunity can develop into leaders who will tackle our society's most pressing needs. We hope you will join us in the 18th year of a long and fruitful program.

Past Summer Serve interns have worked with a diverse group of organizations and communities including:

  • AIDS Information Network
  • Community Family Center
  • Congreso de Latinos Unidas
  • Hospitality House
  • Mayor's Commission on Literacy
  • Mercy Hospice
  • Partnership CDC
  • Pennsylvania Prison Society
  • Philabundance
  • Project HOME
  • The Attic
  • Women Against Abuse Law Center
  • Women's Law Project
  • Women's Christian Alliance