In today’s competitive market it requires more than a four-year education to be successful and obtain a job that utilizes the skills obtained while in college. The Career Services & Internship Program Office at BSU offers a variety of professional development programs to help students grow and strengthen skills valued by employers. These professional development programs coach students on the technical skills, industry knowledge, and soft skills to set them apart from other students seeking internships and jobs.
Sophomore Career Launch (SCL) – Spring 2024
The BSU Career Services & Internship Program Office is excited to announce the new Sophomore Career Launch (SCL) program during the spring 2024 semester. Sophomore Career Launch is a one-semester professional development program which assists high-potential sophomore students in advancing their career development and securing a summer 2024 internship. The program’s mission is to serve BSU’s diverse and talented student body by offering an opportunity to develop the skills and career capital necessary to land an internship that will launch their careers forward. SCL participants will receive intensive guidance on the internship search and additional training on leadership and professional development skills through weekly sessions. The program also offers mentoring by BSU alumni and industry professionals and a $1,000 award for participants who complete all program requirements.
Program Benefits
- Enhanced support for your summer internship search from the Career Services & Internship Program (CSIP) Office
- Dedicated Career & Internship Advisor assigned to you throughout the program
- Structured internship search plan to assist you in successfully landing a summer internship
- Weekly professional development sessions that will help you develop a resume, sharpen your interview skills, and more
- Assigned BSU alumni mentor to support you during your summer internship experience (must secure a 20+ hour per week summer 2024 internship for at least 10 weeks to receive)
- Access to special $1,000 professional development award (must complete all program requirements and secure a 20+ hour per week summer 2024 internship for at least 10 weeks to receive)
o Please note: the student will not be placed in or guaranteed an internship but rather supported throughout the search process with dedicated guidance from the program. It is up to the student to interview and land an internship offer.
Student Eligibility Criteria
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Bridgewater State University
- Currently in sophomore standing (24-53 credits) during the spring 2024 semester
- In good academic standing
- Preferred minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Ability to commit to at least 5 hours a week outside of class/work for this program (1.5-hour group sessions, 1-hour advising appointment, 2.5 hours of asynchronous work online/participate in career development activities). The sessions will run February 21st through April 24th, 2024
- Ability to commit to a 20+ hour a week internship for at least 10 consecutive weeks in the summer of 2024
Program Expectations & Requirements
- Attendance at all weekly group sessions on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:00pm ET. From February 21st – April 24th, 2024
- Participation in ongoing one-on-one appointments with a Career & Internship Advisor throughout the spring semester
- Completion of all assignments utilizing online blackboard materials for asynchronous learning
- Active participation in career events and workshops on campus
- Sharing of your experience with other BSU students, faculty, and staff at an event during the 2024-2025 academic year.
SCL participants who have successfully completed all program requirements and secured a 20+ hour per week summer internship will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program, be eligible to receive a $1,000 award, and receive an alumni mentor to offer support during the summer internship experience. Only SCL students who complete the entire program and meet all expectations will receive the certificate and be eligible to receive the award.
*If a student does not secure a summer internship, they are not eligible for the $1,000 award or alumni mentor.*
*If a student needs additional financial assistance beyond the $1,000 award, they should discuss their needs with the program managers to determine if they are eligible to apply for additional professional development grants which are considered on a case-by-case basis.
