Internship Credit

Trinity adheres to the NACE definition of an internship. To ensure that an experience—whether it is in-person or one conducted remotely—is educational, all the following criteria must be met and addressed in your description of the internship in the application:

The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom.
The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.

The Basics:

Your internship must be taken during the semester in which you’d like to receive credit. You cannot receive credit for the same internship twice. You must complete the Handshake application before the deadline. And you must answer the application questions fully, with as much detail as possible, and to the best of your ability.
1 full credit = 120+ internship site work hours; .5 credits = 60-119 internship site work hours.
As part of the new Trinity Plus Curriculum (matriculated fall 2021 or later) the Center for Academic & Experiential Advising will provide a faculty supervisor to students, add them to a Moodle classroom, and will assign projects/assignments throughout the internship and a pass/fail grade at the conclusion of the semester.
- If you matriculated fall 2021 or earlier, you must secure your own faculty sponsor in order to receive credit.
More information regarding costs for the J-Term and Summer can be found on the Registrar’s Office and Center for Academic & Experiential Advising webpages.

Application Due Dates:

J-Term: due Friday, January 3, 2025
Spring: due Tuesday, January, 28, 2025

Summer Internship Funding

Weingarten Cross-Cultural Summer Internship Fund

The Weingarten Cross-Cultural Internship Fund provides support for enriching cross-cultural experiences, both within the United States and on the global stage. Tailored exclusively for the summer term, this fund extends financial assistance to students who commit to engaging in transformative multicultural internships. Eligible candidates have the prospect of securing funding amounting to $3000, enabling them to embark on cross-cultural internship opportunities that foster professional growth and cultivate industry-specific skills, while alleviating the financial burdens associated with participating in a multicultural summer internship.

Cross-cultural refers to situations involving people or groups from different cultural backgrounds, marked by significant cultural differences. It provides an opportunity to learn about new customs, traditions, and viewpoints, with a focus on understanding and appreciating the unique cultural aspects of others. This definition encompasses the idea that “cross-cultural” goes beyond merely being in contact with people from different cultures; it involves active engagement with those differences and a willingness to learn and appreciate the perspectives of others, even in situations where the cultural contrast may not be immediately obvious.

Catalyst Summer Internship Fund

Funding opportunities for unpaid and low-paid internships in the United States and abroad are available through the Catalyst Summer Internship Fund. Candidates can receive up to $3,500 to pursue internship opportunities to gain professional experience, and to develop industry-related skills, while defraying some of the costs associated with completing an under or unpaid summer internship in any field.

Qualifications for Summer Internship Funding

To be considered for funding, a student’s internship must:

Make intellectual and practical connections between skills/knowledge developed through a liberal arts education and skills/knowledge required for a particular career.
Gain first-hand insight into careers related to or associated with your academic interests.
Explore a career path or field in order to confirm or reject a tentative career plan.
Acquire experience and practical skills required by employers in your chosen career field.
Acquire hands-on experience that will enhance your graduate or professional school candidacy.
Provide routine feedback given through supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
Be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
Have a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
Have clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
Be supervised by someone other than a member of your immediate family, nor should your internship supervisor report to a member of your immediate family. (Family members may be employed at your internship company.)

To receive funds for a summer 2024 internship, you must be a returning undergraduate student and enrolled at Trinity College for the Fall 2024 semester.
We recommend that international students contact Katharine Clair with questions to ensure that students are in compliance with U.S. visa requirements during summer internship period.
Students applying for credit for their internship will need to submit a separate internship contract via Handshake – please note that the College assesses a fee to register for credit for summer internships.
Past recipients of Catalyst or Weingarten funding may apply again; however, preference may be given to first-time applicants. Additionally, funding cannot be awarded twice for the same internship.
Summer internship funding is not based on your FAFSA nor financial aid from the College. It is appropriate, however, to describe financial need in your application materials.
Funding cannot go towards equipment or facilities required by the employer to complete the internship.
Students should have an eReview or visit the Studio for a résumé review and upload their most up-to-date résumé to their Handshake profile. Students who have completed this task, and/or met with a Career & Life Design Coach for a mock interview will score higher on the decision rubric.
Internships can be unpaid OR under-paid, however, those that are completely unpaid will be given preference.
The internship must consist of a minimum of 120 total hours.
Students can only receive funding for ONE internship, and cannot receive funding from BOTH Catalyst and Weingarten.

Applications are reviewed by the Summer Funding Selection Committee, who will evaluate each application individually to determine if the student’s internship meets the guidelines. The Selection Committee uses a rubric to determine funding decisions. Funding decisions will be communicated to all applicants via email in May 2024.

Craft a standout résumé with the guidance of the Career & Life Design Center and upload it to your Handshake profile. (Applicants who have had an eReview, been to Studio, and/or met with a Career & Life Design Coach for a mock interview will score higher on the Selection Committee’s decision rubric).
The application process is two-fold:
- Step 1: Apply through Handshake in the “Experiences” section. (An instructional video demonstrating the steps for this portion of the application can be viewed here.)
- Step 2: Complete a video interview on Big Interview (the link and code for the interview will be given at the very end of the Handshake application). Applications submitted via Handshake WITHOUT also recording their interview will be considered incomplete. (An instructional video demonstrating the steps for this portion of the application can be viewed here.)
Prepare to share internship details and explain your budget plan.
Application deadline: Sunday, April 21, 2024, at midnight.

Applications for summer 2024 funds (Catalyst and Weingarten) will become available on Handshake and Big Interview on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
The application deadline is Sunday, April 21, 2024 at midnight.
Recipient decisions will be announced via email by Friday, May 10, 2024.

Following the deadline, applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee, and selections are dependent upon available funds.

The Summer Funding Selection Committee will evaluate your internship based on your submitted application, and determine if it adheres to the NACE definition of an internship, the guidelines of which Trinity follows. If you are selected to receive funding, the amount awarded will be based on the number of work hours that you and your internship site supervisor have agreed upon.

For the Catalyst Summer Internship Fund, there are three levels of funding:

120-199 hours = $1200
200-349 hours = $2000
350+ hours = $3500

For the Weingarten Cross-Cultural Internship Fund, there is one level of funding, requiring a minimum of 120 hours of internship work.

120+ hours = $3000

Funding is disbursed in three installments distributed throughout the summer, so long as the requirements are met by the student (see “Participation Requirements”).

A signed Internship Learning Agreement (completed together by both the student and internship supervisor)
Accounting form for funding purposes
- W-9 or W-8BEN
A mid-summer check-in essay
A detailed photo essay at the conclusion of the summer
An end-of-internship survey
Thank-you note to donors
Students awarded Weingarten funding must also attend a luncheon in the fall with Richard Weingarten ’68

Financial disbursements are contingent upon timely completion of the items listed above. Recipients who fail to complete the internship or requirements of the summer funding programs must repay all funds already distributed.

Need Summer Accommodation in New York City?

Discover your NYC and visit the Educational Housing Services (EHS) website: they’ve been the leading provider of student summer housing in New York City for over 30 years.

Zoe Kon ‘24, Political Science major with minors in Public Health and Bioethics, had a transformative summer internship in New York City with the help of the Catalyst Summer Internship Fund, enabling her to create a well-received guide on embedding racial equity and social justice in health projects for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Institutional Review Board, a pivotal step towards her future in policy-oriented public health and bioethics, made possible by the support of the Catalyst Fund!
Molly Simons ’24, majoring in American Studies with a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, received funding assistance from the Catalyst Summer Internship Fund, which enabled her to intern with the Institutional Giving Team at Sanctuary for Families in New York City, gaining firsthand insights into the organization’s impactful work supporting survivors of domestic violence and gender-based violence. Her internship played a crucial role in her exploration of a career path in non-profit work, focusing on issues she is passionate about, and informing her thesis on the epidemic of violence against Indigenous women.
Vedika Agrawal, a Biology and Psychology double major from the class of 2024, had a transformative experience at the National Institute of Immunology last summer, made possible by the Catalyst Summer Internship Fund. Delving into the intricate world of immunogenomics, the internship not only facilitated hands-on research and exposure to cutting-edge techniques, but also provided invaluable mentorship, networking opportunities, and the motivation to passionately pursue a career in science, showcasing the profound impact of this investment on her educational and professional journey!
Christian Espinosa ’25, double majoring in Film Studies and Sociology, was a summer ‘23 Weingarten Cross-Cultural Internship Fund recipient for his internship where he had the opportunity to direct his own talk show, which solidified his passion for the entertainment industry. With the assistance of summer funding, his internship facilitated networking and collaborations crucial for his burgeoning film career. As a Guatemalan, Christian aspires to promote Latin American empowerment through his projects and urges continued support for future recipients to pursue their dreams and create positive impacts in the world of film and media.
Alicia Anchondo ’24, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Community Action with a concentration in Educational Policy, had an enriching summer internship in London at Age UK Islington, thanks to the Catalyst Summer Internship Fund, where she honed her Microsoft skills, improved communication through various activities, and discovered a passion for working with older populations, shaping her post-graduation aspirations.
Eduardo Sanchez-Carrion ‘24, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Applied Mathematics, was a summer ’23 Catalyst Summer Internship Fund recipient, interning as a Business Intelligence Intern with Inter Miami CF. Through this opportunity, he worked closely with seasoned professionals, witnessed historic moments for the club, and developed crucial skills, all made possible by the Catalyst Fund, enabling him to excel in his internship and carry these experiences into his final year at Trinity.