Competitive Internship Opportunities
Each year, the Berry Career Institute partners with employer sites to send Cornell students, selected through a competitive process, to premier internship opportunities. See what employer partners are saying about working with Cornell students and the competitive internship program:
“We often brag about Cornell students, telling others that these students are the best we have in comparison to other programs.” - Dr. Amy Keller, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
“This has been a wonderful partnership in my tenure.” - Stephine Hunt, Manager of Literary Arts, Chautauqua Institution
““Our Cornell student intern was outstanding, consistently the top performer of her peers through the summer both in terms of interest, aptitude, and work ethic. She was a stand out intern.” - Dr. Erik St. Louis, Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine
Internship deadlines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and students are encouraged to apply by or before the following deadlines (or deadline listed for a specific site) to be considered for summer funding.
Dimensions priority deadlines
All information for currently available internships, including deadlines, can be found here.
Final deadline (all internships)
April 13, 2026 (Block 8 Day 1)
Although these opportunities are open until filled, if applying after this deadline, you may not receive funding before the start of your experience due to processing time. Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Academic year applications should be submitted 30-60 days prior to the internship start date. Early applications are encouraged. We understand that many programs may not notify students of acceptance until later in the spring; applications received after deadlines will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis and awarded based on merit.
All sites are open to considering candidates as long as a position is available. Acceptance for a competitive internship is not final until the hosting organization confirms acceptance of the proposed candidate. Placement at each site is dependent upon timing, availability of funds, applicant fit, and the needs of the site.
Contact career@cornellcollege.edu for more details.
Chautauqua Institution
Location: Chautauqua, NY
Timeframe: Each internship is four weeks long. The June-July intern will offer support for the Writers’ Festival prior to the opening of the Institute. Otherwise, the positions have very similar responsibilities. The July-August intern will have a flexible end date due to the session’s proximity to the start of Cornell’s school year.
Deadline: See contact below for application deadline and requirements.
Description: The purpose of the internship is to assist the educational programming and community activities related to all aspects of Chautauqua Literary Arts. The interns will participate in and contribute to a vibrant artistic community, learn skills in arts administration, publicity, marketing, and creative writing pedagogy, study and network with some of the most exciting writers on the American literary scene.
Position Expectations:
- The interns will be mentored by Stephine Hunt, Managing Director of Literary Arts at the Chautauqua Institution, and a graduate fellow—a student from a graduate program in Creative Writing. They will report to Ms. Hunt.
- The interns will participate in four weekly Writers’ Center workshops, to be led by some of the most exciting contemporary American authors; they will also provide some administrative support for the workshops.
- The interns will meet regularly with the graduate fellow about their writing.
- The interns will coordinate and contribute to the public events organized by Chautauqua Literary Arts, including
- the management of the Poetry Makerspace, where they will be able to interact with the community, get to know this wonderful exhibit, take part in poetry readings, and work with other interns and the graduate fellow.
- social-media promotion for Chautauqua Literary Arts events;
- administrative support for events and the opportunity to lead a breakout session if desired;
- Perform any other reasonable duties as assigned by the mentor/supervisor that should be necessary to meet the needs of Chautauqua Literary Arts.
- Represent Chautauqua Literary Arts with a welcoming attitude towards students, visitors, and other community members you encounter throughout the internship.
Interested students should email Professor Rebecca Entel in the English Department for consideration, next steps, and a direct referral.
University of South Carolina
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Timeframe: Summer
Deadline: Open until filled (Early applications and inquiries welcome)
The intern will be matched with a site on or near the University of South Carolina. Possible projects include research on pelagic fishes in the Gulf of Mexico, research on policies and practices related to environmental law, or sustainable seafood practices involving the seafood industry, tourism, and economics. Past interns have been placed with the Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Studies and at the South Carolina Aquarium.
Interested students should email Professor Rhawn Denniston in the Geology Department for consideration, next steps, and a direct referral.