The program, known as Winternship and sponsored by the Community Outreach Office, offers a wide range of opportunities for students in the not-for-profit sector. The program was launched in Washington, D.C., in 1994 as a partnership between the Washington, D.C. Alumni Association and the Community Outreach Program. After 10 successful years, and thanks to the funding from the Argosy Foundation, the program expanded in 2004 to include 12 Winterns in New York City. In 2006, the New York City program increased to 23 Winterns. This year, there was a total of 35 Winterns in both cities.
Many of the Winterns came back telling us that they gained a lot from the experience. For some it was the first time they worked a nine-to-five job, while others learned the importance of teamwork, responsibility and being effective in a group environment.
Natalya Kitchin '07, a French and German double-major, worked at the New York Legal Assistance Group. She plans on pursuing law in the future and she is even more convinced of her career goals now. "I have become more resolute in becoming a lawyer and becoming an advocate for judicial rights for all," she said.
It is clear that Winternship is a great way for students to experience the real world, to meet people and to find or confirm their passion. Tierra Allen '09, another Wintern, told us that her experience showed her that "passion and hard work can be channeled to create real change." Even if one decides not to enter the not for profit sector, one will surely take with them an unforgettable experience, which will continue to shape them wherever they go.
In the fall, members of the Community Outreach staff trained students in order to prepare them for their internships. Winterns found it very helpful to gain tips on how to communicate with supervisors, housing hosts and alumni at various events.
The educational, social and cultural events are another great part of the program. On Jan. 18, students were able to meet with seven past Wintern alumni in The New York Times building. Students had the opportunity to ask the alumni about their Winternship experiences and about life after Amherst. As a result, Winterns gained meaningful insight, which will help them in deciding what to do after college. Other events included special tours hosted by past alumni at the Tenement Museum in New York City and at The Washington Post in D.C. These events were an excellent way for the Winterns to bond with their fellow group members and to get to know their respective cities. In fact, a New York City Wintern mentioned that he had fallen in love with the city. As a New Yorker, I don't blame him.
In both cities, students volunteered to make a difference during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorations, which took place at the Frederick Douglass Center and Children's Center in New York City and at Cardozo High School in Washington, D.C.
New York Winterns painted two classrooms, while Washington, D.C. Winterns painted a mural. The experiences focused on teamwork and further enhanced a sense of community for the Winterns.
In order to become a Wintern, students are required to submit a two-page application answering several questions about their interests and past experiences in the non-profit field. These applications are due at the end of September. The Winternship Committee then selects applicants for interviews and makes its final decisions in mid-October. Once a student is accepted, the program will provide a stipend and alumni housing. In addition, Winternship Coordinators will place the student with a not-for-profit organization related to his or her interests. A past applicant has described the process as "painless but serious." I hope this article finds you wanting to take part in an amazing opportunity such as this and I hope to find your application in our office later this fall.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the Winternship program, please feel free to contact Karen Lee in the Community Outreach Office at kmlee@amherst.edu. It's an opportunity that you don't want to miss!