The Purposeful Work Internship Program supports students as they explore interests, deepen skills, and build networks; connects students with employer partners that plan to hire Bates students each summer, and provides the opportunity to apply for funding, thanks to the generosity of donors. Click on the questions below to learn more.<\/p>\n
Students with<\/span> F-1 Visas are eligible for most Purposeful Work internships but will need to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization once they receive an internship offer and before beginning any work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Students in F-1 status must be in good academic standing and have been enrolled full-time for at least one year (two consecutive semesters) to be eligible for CPT. The CPT experience must be directly related to the student\u2019s <\/span>major<\/b> field of study. It <\/span>may not<\/b> be used in a student\u2019s declared <\/span>minor<\/b>. CPT may only be used prior to the completion of a course of study. When considering internship opportunities, keep in mind, 80% of the position duties should be directly related to your <\/span>major<\/b> curriculum. Because the U.S. Department of Labor uses a broad definition of employment \u2013 <\/span>any activity for which a student receives a benefit which is monetary or otherwise<\/span><\/i> \u2013 even unpaid internships require CPT authorization.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Any student interested in pursuing CPT is encouraged to contact the PDSO about CPT rules and procedures. We encourage you to speak to Shelley Palmer, the PDSO in the Center for Global Education before committing to any internship.<\/span><\/p>\n Read more about the CPT application process <\/span>here.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n We encourage you to apply by February 15 so you can receive your results by the March 1 deadline. This form completion will also give you access to sign up for fall courses and be a participant in the housing selection process. You can find your Return Form here<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you have any additional inquiries please contact purposefulworkinternships@bates.edu<\/a>. The selection committee will use the following rubric when considering individual applications:<\/b> \u00a0<\/b> (Scale of 0-3 with a score of 3 as the highest.)\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n 1. Quality of Application<\/p>\n 2. Quality of Experience<\/p>\n 3. Class Year<\/p>\n 4. First-Generation Student<\/p>\n 5. Financial Need (as determined by financial aid status)<\/p>\n 6. Statement of Need (as determined by statement in application) OPTIONAL<\/p>\n 7. How Well This Experience Is Explained as Virtual\/In-Person?<\/p>\n 8. Received PW Internship Funding Previously: -3<\/p>\n 9. Received PW Internship Funding Previously and did not complete requirements: -2<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b>If you have any issues or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to purposefulwork@bates.edu<\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Due to our efforts to support as many students\u2019 exploration as possible through this program, priority will be given to students who have not been awarded Purposeful Work funding previously. Students will not receive Purposeful Work funding for more than two summers, except in rare cases. This includes funding awarded through this competitive application process and<\/em> funding received for PW internships with Bates-subsidized core employers. Due to our efforts to support as many students\u2019 exploration as possible through this program, priority will be given to students who have financial needs and who have not been awarded Purposeful Work funding through this process previously.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n We encourage you to also explore options with the Dean of Faculty’s Office and the Harward Center.\u00a0 For more information, check out the Summer Funded Opportunities<\/a> page.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\nIf I take a Leave of Absence in Spring 2026 am I eligible?<\/h3>\n\t\t
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\nI participated in the Purposeful Work Internship Program last year. Am I eligible to participate again?<\/h3>\n\t\t
\nYes. Visit Handshake for additional details regarding the rubric.<\/a> In years where student demand exceeds available funding, priority will be given to students who have not been awarded Purposeful Work Internship funding previously through this process.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\nI applied for funding from the Purposeful Work Internship Program last year. Am I eligible to apply again?<\/h3>\n\t\t
I am studying abroad. Can I still participate?<\/h3>\n\t\t
I think I completed the required eligibility steps; how do I know for sure if I\u2019m in good standing?<\/h3>\n\t\t
\nPurposeful Work Internship Program staff will manually update your Handshake status within 24 business hours of your completion of program requirements. You will see a “Purposeful Work Internship Program 2025\/2026” label on your Handshake profile on the right-hand side of your Profile page listed under Labels.\u00a0 Once all of these labels are applied to your account, you will be able to submit applications to employer partners via Handshake. If you have individual questions, email purposefulworkinternships@bates.edu<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\nWhat do I have to do to be eligible to apply for funding?<\/h3>\n\t\t
What do I have to do to be eligible to apply to PW internships with employer partners?<\/h3>\n\t\t
Are there requirements during the summer?<\/h3>\n\t\t
How do I know if my internship is eligible for the Purposeful Work Internship Program’s funding?<\/h3>\n\t\t
Funding<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n
If selected to receive an internship award, what amount of funding will I be awarded?<\/h3>\n\t\t
\nParticipants in the Purposeful Work Internship Program may receive up to $5,000. Individual internship awards vary.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\nWhat criteria are used when determining which students will receive internship awards?<\/h3>\n\t\t
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\nWhere do I apply for funding?<\/h3>\n\t\t
\nThe online PW Internship Funding Request Application can be found here<\/a>.\u00a0 The first deadline to submit a complete application is Sunday, March 1st.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\nWhen is my funding application due?<\/h3>\n\t\t
\nThere are three application deadlines:<\/p>\n\n
When will I hear back whether I\u2019ve been awarded funding?<\/h3>\n\t\t
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\nDo I have to have been offered an internship to apply for funding?<\/h3>\n\t\t
If I have been selected to receive PW funding and then decide to accept a different internship, may I use my funding award for a different opportunity?<\/h3>\n\t\t
How competitive is the funding application pool for this summer?<\/h3>\n\t\t
If I have been accepted for a PW internship with one of the employer partners (e.g., MOFGA), do I need to submit a funding application?<\/h3>\n\t\t
If I am selected to receive an internship award, when will I actually receive the award?<\/h3>\n\t\t
Employer Partners<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n
Who are the employer partners? Or, what are the Purposeful Work internships?<\/h3>\n\t\t
Can I only participate in the program if I apply to one of the PW internships with employer partners?<\/h3>\n\t\t
I applied for an internship and haven\u2019t heard back from the employer. When will I?<\/h3>\n\t\t
Other Summer Grants<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n
Are there other Bates-funded summer opportunities?<\/h3>\n\t\t
Summer Budgeting and Housing<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n
How do I plan a budget for the summer?<\/h3>\n\t\t