Giving Blue Day

One of our goals this year is to activate and engage more of our English alumni in order to continue to expand our partner network and to secure more internship opportunities for our students. 

Here are some of our plans for the next year:

• The development of a program that enables alumni to provide monetary sponsorship for summer interns who are working in the sponsors’ fields and who have secured a department-approved internship.

• “Flash internships,” for which English alumni offer brief internships or shadowing opportunities to students during winter or spring break.

• A panel of past interns whose internships have led to jobs at the internship site.

• The development of a program that enables alumni to offer mentorship and career guidance to students and graduates planning to enter the alumni’s fields.

• A job fair, at which English alumni will speak about their work and at which prospective interns can secure summer positions.

• "My internship at Forbes Media over the summer of 2017 was a fantastic opportunity for personal and professional growth. I was able to take the skills I learned in classes like English 425 with Jeremy Chamberlin and craft succinct narratives covering the media and entertainment industry. I had the opportunity to do research and write biographies for the Forbes Celebrity 100 List and then wrote weekly stories. Every day at Forbes was an adventure - I interviewed people like Jared Leto, French Montana, Samantha Bee and Malcolm Gladwell. I've stayed on at Forbes as a contributor during my senior year and I'm so grateful to the University of Michigan English Program for preparing me to be a productive and thoughtful member of the media."

           Rebecca Lerner, Media and Entertainment Intern, Forbes - Summer of 2017

• "Each piece I wrote was meaningful to my growth as a writer...In several other pieces, I've been able to build some journalistic skills as they've required me to interview arts audience members. Previously, I had no experience drafting questions, interviewing, and transcription, but I leave this internship having built this very useful skill set!"

           Rachel Stopchinski, Ticket Office Student Leader, University Musical Society - Summer 2015

• "Since I have officially had an unpaid fashion internship in NYC where I am 1 out 4 black people (in the company) -- I have gained a sronger voice with writing about the topic (of fashion) and have a new perspective. In the end, this internship has opened up many doors for me and allowed me to connect with so many great individuals who have been helping me with the next steps in my career journey; which is find a job."

DeVin'e Blacksher, PR Intern, Rebecca Minkoff, NYC. Currently employed as PR Trainee, Junior Account Representative - Summer, 2015

Representative list of our Internship Partners: 

• Ann Arbor Observer

• ATT

• Atwell, LLC

• Detroit Music Magazine

• Food Gatherers

• Ford

• General Motors

• Google

• Habitat for Humanity

• Huron Valley Women's Correctional Facility

• UM Botanical Gardens

• Washtenaw Literacy

• Zingerman's