Summer Internship Fund Staves K-Students' Poverty
Tim Coates
Issue date: 5/18/06 Section: Features
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Students' concerns over this year's SIF funding centered on deadlines and dollar amounts. Meanwhile, most applicants to SIF find that the process works. While not able to cover all expenses, the fund provides first year KSG students a cushion for unpaid or low paying internships.
This year's SIF funding resulted in 60 students receiving $128,400 worth of funding. Most applicants received approximately $2,500 towards their summer internships. Less was given to students who declared other sources of funding.
In the first round, 34 applications were received, 30 received offers and 27 students accepted. In the second round, 43 applications were received, 36 received offers and 33 students accepted.
Christoph Hermann (MPP1) and Ashley Stover (MPP1) had opposite experiences applying for this year's Summer Internship Fund (SIF). Hermann, who was able to find an internship position by November, had plenty of time to apply by the March 17 first round deadline. However, Stover, despite successive rounds of interviews with various organizations, did not secure her internship before the final April 7 deadline in order to be considered.
"I started interviews before spring break," said Stover, "but places didn't get back to me until a week after the deadline. I tried to push them to decide before the deadline, but I didn't want to alienate the person I'm trying to be employed by."
Students not selected in the first or second round were placed on a waitlist. As students decline SIF funding, the waitlist is worked through as much as possible.
"We have significant competing demands here," said Janice Vaughn, Interim Deputy Director for Career Services, in an email response. "We recognize that some offers come in later than our second deadline. However, on the other hand, we want to get students who have their offers in hand the confirmation (or not) of an award as soon as possible."
Unlike previous years, this year saw more applicants for the second round than the first. In 2004, 39 applications were received in the first round and 23 in the second. Last year, 36 applications were received in the first round and 32 in the second. 18 applicants that year declined, allowing a third round of 13 applications and 10 offers.
This year's SIF funding resulted in 60 students receiving $128,400 worth of funding. Most applicants received approximately $2,500 towards their summer internships. Less was given to students who declared other sources of funding.
In the first round, 34 applications were received, 30 received offers and 27 students accepted. In the second round, 43 applications were received, 36 received offers and 33 students accepted.
Christoph Hermann (MPP1) and Ashley Stover (MPP1) had opposite experiences applying for this year's Summer Internship Fund (SIF). Hermann, who was able to find an internship position by November, had plenty of time to apply by the March 17 first round deadline. However, Stover, despite successive rounds of interviews with various organizations, did not secure her internship before the final April 7 deadline in order to be considered.
"I started interviews before spring break," said Stover, "but places didn't get back to me until a week after the deadline. I tried to push them to decide before the deadline, but I didn't want to alienate the person I'm trying to be employed by."
Students not selected in the first or second round were placed on a waitlist. As students decline SIF funding, the waitlist is worked through as much as possible.
"We have significant competing demands here," said Janice Vaughn, Interim Deputy Director for Career Services, in an email response. "We recognize that some offers come in later than our second deadline. However, on the other hand, we want to get students who have their offers in hand the confirmation (or not) of an award as soon as possible."
Unlike previous years, this year saw more applicants for the second round than the first. In 2004, 39 applications were received in the first round and 23 in the second. Last year, 36 applications were received in the first round and 32 in the second. 18 applicants that year declined, allowing a third round of 13 applications and 10 offers.
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