Odyssey Career Resource Center

Career Resources for Self-Secured Unpaid Opportunities for Odyssey Scholars

“Self-secured internships” refer to high-quality internships that students secure by independently contacting professors or employers to find a position, or by applying to internships posted outside of the Metcalf Program. Odyssey Scholars who self-secure a summer opportunity that is unpaid or partially paid can apply to the Jeff Metcalf Fellowship Grant to support their living expenses.

Pursuing a self-secured internship is an excellent option if you are seeking an opportunity that might not be available in a traditional job database (e.g., highly specialized industry, specific geographic area, etc.). Self-securing an internship is also an effective strategy for students interested in conducting research with a faculty member. Students interested in self-securing an opportunity are encouraged to reach out to faculty or employers whose work aligns with their interests early on in the academic year. For additional guidance on how to self-secure an internship, including support in setting up an outreach timeline and crafting an email to employers, please schedule an appointment with your career adviser.

Please speak with your career adviser if you would like support in crafting an outreach e-mail to send to potential organizations you’re interested in working for over the summer, the earlier you send your inquires, the more success you are likely to have. Additionally, career advisers can help you in to setting up a timeline for your self-secured outreach!