Hello Denisonians!
If you’re anything like me, the idea of applying for an internship can feel overwhelming, let alone applying for the Summer Denison Internship Program (DIP) on top of it. When I first looked at the process, I thought it was going to be complicated. But honestly, it was much easier than I expected. All I really needed to do was secure my internship, get an employment verification letter (basically my offer letter), and make sure it included all the required details. Once I had that, the rest of the application process was straightforward. And going through DIP over the summer was completely worth it.
Last summer, I had an incredible opportunity to do a sales and business relations internship in India; an experience that would have been nearly impossible without this program. Since my internship was off-campus and across the world, I was especially concerned about finances and translating the experience to my resume that would help me get jobs in the U.S.
Traveling to the location, covering housing and expenses, and making sure I could fully focus on my work seemed daunting. If you’re looking to explore an experience that you are hesitant about because it is low-paying, that’s where the DIP stipend came in. The best part? Beyond the maximum limit, the stipend is customizable to your needs. I got to work one-on-one with a career coach to create a budget that made sense for me: covering essentials like travel, living expenses, and any internship-related costs.
Even if you don’t need a stipend, I recommend registering your internship with the Denison Internship Program (DIP). Beyond having it officially recognized on your transcript, you’d be surprised by how much intentional reflection is built into the experience. Initially, I thought the application, midpoint reflection, and final reflection would just be routine paperwork. But as I went through them, I realized they were helping me in ways I hadn’t expected.
- The application itself forced me to clearly articulate why I wanted this internship and what I hoped to gain. Instead of just seeing it as a summer job, I had to think about how it aligned with my long-term goals and career interests.
- The midpoint reflection was a reality check—it made me pause and evaluate how the experience was going, what I was learning, and what adjustments I needed to make to get the most out of it. It pushed me to be more proactive in seeking opportunities and feedback, rather than just going through the motions.
- The final reflection helped me take stock of my progress, recognize the skills I had developed, effectively integrate this into my resume and think about how I could apply them moving forward for jobs in the U.S. It wasn’t just about what I had done during the internship but also about what came next, how I could leverage my experience in future roles, interviews, and career decisions.
I highly encourage you to take advantage of the Summer Denison Internship Program. It’s an opportunity to maximize your experience, gain clarity on your career path, and walk away with a deeper understanding of your professional growth.
