Internship+ Program

This Interest Form helps Career Exploration and Development (CED) determine your eligibility and communicate about the Internship+ program and its expectations with students (before the funding application opens in January 2026).

2025 - 2026 Program Interest Form is now closed!

College of Arts & Sciences Student Requirements:

Students are expected to complete the following career development activities:

• Requirement #1:  Join a Career Community in OberLink, get connected with career resources, and network with Oberlin Alum. Guide To Navigating OberLink
• Requirement #2:  Complete two (2) Career Conversations with an industry expert or Oberlin alum in your field of interest. These conversations must be completed during the academic year and before the conclusion of your summer experience so they can be included in your required Digital Portfolio. Conducting Career Conversations Guide

Students are strongly encouraged to Schedule a Resume Review appointment with a Peer Career Advisor.

Conservatory & Dual Degree Student Options:

Students with musical performances or music training experiences/programs (complete one (1) of the two (2) options:

OPTION #1:

• Schedule a Resume Review appointment with a Conservatory Professional Development Staff,
• Complete a Professional Biography Review appointment with Conservatory Professional Development Staff,
• Complete two (2) Career Conversations with an industry professionals or Oberlin alum in your field of interest. Conducting Career Conversations Guide

OPTION #2:

• Take PROF 200: Professional Development for Musicians (4 credit course offered every semester)

Funding is available to students based on the following eligibility requirements:

• BA, BS, and BM students expected to complete their degree requirements in the following academic year. This is typically between a student’s 3rd and 4th year. 
• Double Degree Students participating during the summer between their 3rd and 4th year.
• 3-2 Engineering Students participating prior to their final year at Oberlin during the summer after their 2nd year.
• BA+BFA Integrated Arts Students participating during the summer between their 4th and 5th year.
• Are in good academic standing and maintain active enrollment during the fall semester. 
  • Students on a medical or personal leave of absence are not eligible.
• Submitted the Internship+ Interest Form and received confirmation from CED.
• Secured (accepted) an eligible summer experience.

Experience Requirements:

• Internships and Undergraduate Research Experiences must be 6-12 weeks with a minimum of 240 hours total.
• Academic Immersion Programs only Oberlin June Block intensive courses and language immersion programs are eligible. 
  • Other academically intensive immersion programs are not routinely eligible but may be considered if they are at least four weeks in length, include a demonstrated skills-based learning component, and are supported by a faculty approval letter confirming that the program provides a comparable immersive academic experience.
• Arts Experiences must be at least four weeks in length with a minimum of at least 120 total hours and include public performances, exhibitions, master classes, workshops with significant mentorship, personalized projects, screenings, professional development opportunities, and/or other meaningful arts-related activities. Eligible arts fields include theater, acting, improv, creative writing, cinema/media, visual arts, music, dance, design, and other relevant arts-based disciplines.

Eligible Music-Based Experiences:

Funding is available to support music festivals and other music-based educational experiences that provide significant artistic growth, professional development, and mentorship opportunities.

Eligible experiences include, but are not limited to:

• Music festivals, summer institutes, academies, artist residencies, or other music-based educational experiences that provide sustained, intensive study with professional musicians, faculty, or industry leaders. Eligible experiences must total a minimum of four weeks, which may be fulfilled through multiple non-concurrent programs.
• Programs offering significant mentorship opportunities, including master classes, ensemble rehearsals, seminars, networking opportunities, and other structured educational activities designed to foster artistic and professional development.
• Music competitions that require substantial preparation and participation and include meaningful educational components beyond the competition itself, such as master classes, professional development workshops, lectures, career seminars, or other organized learning experiences.

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Independent or self-directed projects, including self-organized concert tours, self-produced recordings, independently arranged performances, private lessons or other activities that do not provide a structured educational component. 

To be eligible to apply, you must submit a budget worksheet and an offer letter confirming whether your summer experience is paid or unpaid.

Internship+ funding is intended to help offset expenses associated with participating in a summer experience, such as housing, transportation, meals, and other necessary costs. Funding is not intended to serve as compensation.

Funding awards are determined based on your submitted budget and the following guidelines:

• Unpaid summer experiences: Students may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 based on their submitted budget. Priority funding consideration is given to students with unpaid experiences.
• Paid summer experiences (earnings up to $7,500): Students may be eligible to receive up to $2,500 based on their submitted budget.
• Paid summer experiences (earnings over $7,500): Students with demonstrated high or very high financial need may be eligible to receive up to $2,500 toward housing and food expenses, based on their submitted budget.

Funding Decisions

Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding of all requested or eligible expenses. The review committee evaluates each application holistically and determines award amounts based on the strength of the proposal, alignment with program objectives, available funding, and the number of qualified applicants. As a result, applicants may receive partial funding, even when all requested expenses are considered eligible.

Internship+ funding is designed to help cover expenses directly related to your summer experience and is not intended to serve as compensation. Eligible expenses include:

• Travel and Local Transportation/Commuting: Costs associated with airfare, train, bus, etc. Any daily commuting expenses, such as public transit or fuel.
• Housing/Rent: Accommodation costs for the duration of your experience. Use reliable sources for estimates.
• Food Expenses: Ranging from $120/week in lower-cost areas to $150/week in higher-cost areas.
• Program Fee(s): Include any fees directly related to your program or experience, such as music festival application and/or registration fees, music festival tuition, fee-based programs, and research opportunities. 

By participating in the Internship+ program, you will:

• Connect your liberal arts or artistic education to real-world experience
• Explore a professional field of interest and grow your network
• Gain insight into workplace culture and develop key career-readiness skills
• Reflect upon your personal and professional growth
• Build practical tools for your job search, including interview prep, resume writing, and cover letter development