Internships

Review Process:

Eligible applications are reviewed after the deadline. When reviewing submissions, the selection committee considers: eligibility, quality of responses (substance, content, and writing), reference feedback, and demonstrated financial need. Applicants will be notified via email about the results of their application. Selected applicants must complete the instructions in their award email to receive their stipend.

First-time applicants are given priority; however, students are eligible to receive the stipend a maximum of two times.

We want to hear your voice and experience! This application is not about getting it “right.” It is about sharing your story and how the Internship Stipend could help you. While AI can be a useful tool for brainstorming or organizing ideas, it should not replace your personal experiences, perspective, or writing. Your authenticity is what we value most.

Before applying, please prepare:

1. One professional recommendation

A strong recommendation from someone who knows you well is more valuable than a generic one from someone with a prestigious title who doesn’t know you personally. You will need to provide their name, phone number, and email address.

Follow these guidelines when selecting and approaching a reference:

• Choose someone who knows you well:
  • Select someone who has directly supervised or taught you for at least one full semester, preferably longer.
  • The reference should be able to speak in detail about your skills, work ethic, reliability, and character.
  • Avoid choosing family friends, peers, or individuals who have limited knowledge of your professional academic performance.
• Approach your potential reference professionally:
  • Contact them directly, in person if possible, or via formal email or phone call.
  • Clearly explain the purpose of the recommendation (i.e., for this specific internship stipend application)
  • Provide context and explain why you’re applying
  • Ask if they feel comfortable providing a strong, positive recommendation for you and, if they agree, provide them with your resume and any additional information that might help them
  • Give them ample time – ideally 1-2 weeks before the deadline
  • Inform them about the potential for email or phone contact from the stipend committee
• Follow up:
  • Keep them informed about the outcome of your application
  • Send a thank you note

2. Open Response

Prepare your responses for the following essay questions (100 words minimum for each question).

(1) What has led you to pursue this type of work (e.g., academic courses, previous work experience, volunteering, other)?
(2) What do you hope to gain through this internship and how will it contribute to your academic pursuits and/or career development?
(3) How will this financial assistance help you?

Students are encouraged to write their essay responses in a separate document and copy them into the application form.

NECC Internship Education Courses

Elective internship courses are designed to help students gain meaningful, real-world work experience while receiving support from Career Services and internship faculty. Students can search and apply for internships through Handshake and, once hired, submit their internship for approval to earn academic credit.

Approved internships may count toward a free elective or program elective, depending on a student’s major. To earn credit, students typically complete 120 hours at their internship site and participate in career development and reflection learning activities throughout the semester.

Students may also choose to complete internships solely for the professional experience and skill development, without earning academic credit.

Internship-for-credit opportunities are available during the fall and spring semesters. For more information on internships, please contact Katie Yeaton-Hromada at 978-556-3947 or kyeatonhromada@necc.mass.edu.

Disney Internships
Experience Disney World in their unique “Living, Learning, and Earning” opportunity as a cast member in the Disney World College Program.

College students in good academic standing may qualify to participate in this opportunity and earn college credit at the same time. In addition to electing education credits, students may also qualify for other course credits when they enroll in one or more of the various courses offered onsite at Disney World.

For more information visit the Disney World College Program website.

For more information on Disney Internships or a personal appointment, please contact Bob West at (978) 556-3851 or email rwest@necc.mass.edu.