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Funded Summer Internships
The Helene and Grant Wilson Center's Funded Summer Internship Program was launched in 2009 and funds up to 10 Pace University students in full-time summer internships with New York social enterprises and nonprofit organizations each year.
The goal of the internship is two-fold: To offer experiential learning and income for students interested in careers in the nonprofit/social impact sector, and to offer bright, highly motivated, mentored students in service for nonprofits. Internships must provide hands-on, substantive opportunities for students to make a meaningful contribution to the work of the organization.
Summer 2025 Internships
Eligibility
- Students must be currently enrolled at Pace and graduating from Pace University, December 2025 or later.
- Students across all majors (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible, International students are also encouraged to apply.
- Students should share an interest in human services and/or social enterprise.
- Interns make a 280 hour commitment, working full-time (35hrs/week for 8 weeks), compensated at $19/hour.
How Pace Students Can Apply
Postings of our funded summer internship positions are listed below, applications and resume submissions will only be accepted via Handshake search: "Wilson Ctr. Funded". In addition to an updated resume, applicants must submit a thoughtfully written cover letter tailored to suit the internship you are applying for. Please visit Pace's Career Services to learn more about how to become "resume-ready" on Handshake and read about our recent cohort of 2024 summer interns, below.
- Digital Media and Marketing Intern - Hudson River Park Friends
- Teaching Intern - GO Project
- Research Associate Technician - Billion Oyster Project
- Environmental Educator - Hudson River Park Trust
- Curatorial Intern - National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Summer Program Associate - Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship
- Government & Community Relations Intern - Port Authority of NY & NJ
- Public Programs & Communications Intern - Printed Matter, Inc.
- BioBus Junior Scientist: Research and Teaching - BioBus Inc.
- Talent Acquisition Coordinator - Center for Employment Opportunities
During Summer 2024, the Helene and Grant Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship funded 9 internships at NYC metro area social enterprises and innovative nonprofits:
Madhavi Chandrawat
MBA ‘25, Marketing Analytics, Lubin School of Business
Corporate & Foundation Relations Intern, BRAC USA
Madhavi, a graduate student at Lubin School of Business pursuing her MBA, spent her summer interning at BRAC USA as the Corporate & Foundation Relations Intern. BRAC is a leading international nonprofit dedicated to empowering people and communities facing poverty, illiteracy, disease, and social injustice. Madhavi worked closely with a small, dynamic team responsible for securing donations and identifying funding sources to support BRAC’s programs in Africa, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, focusing on education, health, agriculture, and childhood development.
During her internship, Madhavi gained invaluable experience in communication, research, and project management. She became proficient in using platforms like Notion, Salesforce, and Candid to enhance her team’s effectiveness in fundraising efforts. Regular team meetings provided opportunities to take minutes, helping Madhavi hone her writing skills and ability to capture key discussion points and action items. Madhavi’s responsibilities also included developing an education blog and producing two internal newsletters, further expanding her communication and content creation skills. She received strong support from her colleagues and supervisors, which helped her seamlessly transition into her role and contribute meaningfully to the team’s objectives. She credits this opportunity with making her a better individual both personally and professionally, as it allowed her to apply her academic knowledge in a real-world setting while developing new skills that will benefit her future career.
Hannah Engelmeyer
BS '24, Environmental Science, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences
Environmental Educator, Hudson River Park Trust
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Hannah, a senior at Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, will be graduating this December with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and minors in Sustainability, Sociology, and Anthropology. Over the summer, she interned at Hudson River Park Trust as an Education Intern. The Trust, established in 1998, is responsible for designing, building, operating, and maintaining a public park and estuarine sanctuary along the Manhattan shoreline.
In her role, Hannah welcomed field trip programs, schools, and summer camps to the park, leading tours of the wetlab and providing public programming to educate visitors about the Hudson River’s wildlife and the Trust’s conservation efforts. Having never held an educator position before, Hannah found this experience both exciting and rewarding. Her favorite activity was the free weekly fishing event, where the Park invited the public to fish off the piers giving her the opportunity to meet and engage with community stakeholders.
In her interactions with the public, Hannah drew upon her coursework in environmental science and environmental justice, particularly when addressing topics like water health. This internship, at this stage in her studies, has opened her eyes to the importance of engaging the public in citizen science. This internship also gave her valuable experience in strengthening her scientific communication skills, as she frequently had to convey complex information in a clear and accessible manner, depending on her audience.
Having had the opportunity to work closely with the Field Science Intern team, Hannah gained knowledge and experience in both education and field research. She developed skills in curriculum development, problem-solving, and team collaboration. This internship has opened her eyes to the importance of public engagement in environmental conservation, reinforcing her passion for this field as she approaches graduation.
Layne Davis
BA ‘25,Political Science and Peace & Justice Studies, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences
Advocacy and Engagement Intern, TAP Network
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Layne, a rising senior at Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Peace & Justice Studies. This summer, she interned with the TAP Network as the Advocacy and Engagement Intern. The TAP Network is an international coalition of civil society organizations working towards Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG16) and the broader 2030 Agenda. Layne’s experience was particularly enriching due to the small, close-knit team she worked with, which made her contributions feel substantive and impactful.
One of Layne’s primary responsibilities was working on the SDG16 Now campaign, which promotes peaceful, just, and inclusive civil societies.
During the United Nations’ High-Level Political Forum, she created daily newsletters and designed engaging materials and graphics for stakeholders to use in mobilizing support for SDG16. Her work involved extensive research to identify innovative engagement strategies, such as video storytelling and the “16 Days for SDG16 NOW” initiative, which featured 16 different forms of advocacy. Layne’s creative input was widely recognized, with many organizations and stakeholders using and reposting the graphics she designed.
Layne also developed her networking skills, an area where she initially felt anxious. Her team was supportive, involving her in Steering Committee meetings and various events, which helped build her confidence in discussing SDG16 and related issues. She polished her design skills and effectively communicated key messages through visuals and concise posts, successfully executing her team’s vision across several campaigns. Layne credits courses like International Relations and Professor Welty’s Nonviolence Theory and Practice with preparing her for this role. These classes taught her the importance of collaboration and how to plan and execute a nonviolent campaign—skills she directly applied during her internship.
Riya Golani
MS ‘25, Computer Science, Seidenberg School of Computer Sciences and Information Systems
Summer Program Associate, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship
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This summer, Riya interned at the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) as their Summer Program Associate while pursuing her master’s degree in Computer Science at the Seidenberg School of CSIS. NFTE is a national nonprofit organization that aims to ignite the entrepreneurial mindset with unique learning experiences that empower students to own their futures. Riya’s role focused on research and youth engagement, working closely with students through NFTE’s BizCamps, where they learned how to develop and pitch business ideas. She played a key role in creating a toolkit to equip these young entrepreneurs with the resources needed to draft their business pitches, helping them face challenges with innovative solutions.
Riya’s internship also allowed her to enhance her communication and public speaking skills, and she gained valuable networking experience with professionals from the corporate world. Her involvement in events like EY’s National Intern Day, where she represented NFTE alongside another intern, gave her a platform to share her summer experience and further develop her confidence in networking. Throughout the summer, Riya actively supported the NFTE Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Challenges in June and the BizCamps in the New York and Philadelphia metro areas from July into August. She assisted with recruitment, preparation, program delivery, and follow-up, directly supporting 550 students, including SEO scholars, across three metropolitan areas.
Curious about how nonprofits like NFTE are cultivating future leaders of entrepreneurship, Riya found this experience to be eye-opening. Her time at NFTE sparked an interest in the nonprofit sector, and she is open to further exploring career opportunities in this space. Riya believes that her internship not only sharpened her research skills but also provided her with valuable insights into the powerful impact nonprofit organizations can have in shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Ifra Haque
BBA '25, Business Management, Lubin School of Business
Talent Acquisition Coordinator, Center for Employment Opportunities
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Ifra is a rising senior in the Lubin School of Business where she is pursuing a combined degree in Business Management and Human Resources Management. Ifra recently completed her summer internship at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), a nonprofit that provides comprehensive employment services to people recently released from incarceration. Operating in 30 cities nationwide, CEO is committed to helping justice-impacted job seekers achieve socioeconomic mobility. As Talent Acquisition (TA) Coordinator, Ifra worked closely with the TA team to review resumes, conduct interviews, and onboard candidates. She also helped create job blasts, conduct outreach, and fill vacancies across different CEO locations. Despite the internship being fully remote, Ifra effectively collaborated with staff across time zones using various applications that enabled seamless success across multiple teams.
Ifra maintained an organized schedule using Google Suites, which helped her stay on top of deliverables and ongoing projects. She participated in weekly TA team meetings, interviewed candidates for various roles, and communicated regularly with clients. Her supervisor was always available for support, fostering an environment where Ifra felt empowered to ask questions and receive feedback.
As a combined Business Management and Human Resources Management student, this internship aligned perfectly with Ifra’s academic path, providing valuable insights into her future career. She had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with other TA team members, building strong relationships with recruiters and managers. Ifra’s supervisor praised her reliability, proficiency, and ease in adapting to CEO’s systems, which made onboarding straightforward. Her natural curiosity allowed her to engage deeply with her tasks, including navigating applicant tracking systems, sourcing candidates, and coordinating administrative functions. Overall, Ifra’s experience at CEO broadened her understanding of how nonprofits function and enhanced her skills in talent acquisition.
Thilak Narasimhamurthy
MS ‘26, Computer Science, Seidenberg School of Computer Sciences and Information Systems
Research Associate Technician, Billion Oyster Project
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Thilak is a graduate student in the Seidenberg School of Computer Sciences and Information Systems, where he is pursuing a master’s degree in Computer Science. This summer, he interned with the Billion Oyster Project as their Research Associate Technician. During his internship, Thilak rotated through several departments, immersing himself in the organization and gaining a comprehensive understanding of its operations. His primary focus was supporting the Finance & Operations department, where he played a crucial role in maintaining organized record-keeping systems and managing the scheduling and coordination of ferry services, in so doing optimizing logistics for staff, visitors, and program participants.
Thilak’s technical expertise was particularly valuable when he was tasked with updating the organization’s website. This project provided him with the opportunity to connect with various teams across the Billion Oyster Project, deepening his knowledge of the organization and its mission. Despite his limited prior exposure to marine science, Thilak found the experience to be eye-opening and enriching.
In addition to his technical contributions, Thilak participated in monitoring oyster reefs and collecting data at various sites across the city and collaborated with other interns to support larger organization events like the Billion Oyster Project Symposium and City of Water Day. One of the most significant developments Thilak observed in himself during the internship was an improvement in his communication and public speaking skills. Regular interaction with the public and working with diverse teams helped him build confidence and become more outgoing, enhancing his overall professional growth.
Rafael Reyes
BS ‘27, Applied Psychology, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences
Education Intern, GO Project
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Rafael, a rising sophomore at Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, is pursuing a degree in Applied Psychology with a concentration in early childhood development. This summer, he interned with GO Project as an Education Intern. GO Project is a nonprofit organization that supports academically struggling, under-resourced elementary and middle school students from the Lower East Side, Chinatown, and Brooklyn. Rafael’s role involved working closely with about 20 students across grades 5-7, focusing on core subjects like math, language arts, reading, and writing. He also supervised and participated in extracurricular activities with his students such as art and dance and joined students on field trips, allowing him to develop meaningful connections with them.
A key aspect of Rafael’s internship was his involvement in designing the students’ Morning Meetings, where they explored and practiced meditation, reflection, and mindfulness. These sessions not only enriched the students’ learning experience but also deepened Rafael’s understanding of how to create a supportive classroom environment. Throughout the five-week program, he regularly met with his campus director, receiving valuable feedback that he implemented in the classroom. This guidance, coupled with observing other teaching assistants, helped Rafael steadily improve his classroom management skills and grow as an educator.
Before the program began, Rafael supported program launch through outreach to families, reminding them of important deadlines, testing, and the necessary documentation for the IEP (Individualized Educational Program) collection project. As many families primarily spoke Spanish, Rafael’s bilingual skills were crucial in effectively communicating program requirements and ensuring smooth participation. Rafael’s internship with GO Project was a transformative experience. It provided him with hands-on teaching experience, deepened his understanding of student needs, and enhanced his ability to manage a classroom. He is grateful for the opportunity to support his students’ academic and personal growth while refining his skills as an aspiring educator.
Ankit Singh Komal
MS ‘25, Social Media and Mobile Marketing, Lubin School of Business
Digital Media and Marketing Intern, Hudson River Park Friends
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Ankit, a graduate student at the Lubin School of Business pursuing his master’s degree in Social Media & Mobile Marketing, spent his summer interning at Hudson River Park Friends as a Digital Media Marketing Intern. Hudson River Park Friends is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the completion, care, and enhancement of Hudson River Park and serves as the fundraising partner of the Hudson River Park Trust.
During his internship, Ankit focused on various digital media and marketing tasks. He worked on Google Ads, creating and managing content that highlighted the Park’s initiatives. He also captured interviews with partner organizations, particularly Hudson River Park’s Science Leadership Program (SLP) which engages female identifying high school students through a six-week program with a focus in STEM, culminating in a scientific poster and final presentation. Ankit was responsible for creating and organizing social media content, including segregated assets from long-form interviews and coverage of field trips to the Park’s Wetlab. He also captured underwater imaging and produced short-form interviews and clips for a docuseries, further developing his content creation skills.
One of his favorite contributions this summer was supporting the design and implementation of the Park’s new pole posters, which are displayed throughout the park. Through this experience, Ankit honed his communication skills, particularly in collaborating with multiple teams across the Park on various projects. He also strengthened his project management skills by handling multiple tasks simultaneously. A major highlight for Ankit was working on social media strategies and experimenting with influencer marketing, which was especially exciting given the Park’s prominence. He played a key role in developing an outreach strategy targeting influencers who visit the Park.
Coming from India, Ankit observed differences in how some nonprofit organizations operate back home versus Hudson River Park Friends, particularly in terms of structure, communication, revenue generation, and their ability to make a social and environmental impact through their public programming, community partnerships and events.
Zillah Tafirenyika
MBA ‘26, Business Analytics, Lubin School of Business
New York Regional Intern, America Needs You
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Zillah is a first-year graduate student in the Lubin School of Business where she is actively pursuing a master’s degree in Business Analytics. Zillah’s internship at America Needs You (ANY) as the New York Regional Intern was her first professional experience in the US, offering a chance to compare work cultures. As a former Human Resources Administrator working for the Coca-Cola Company in Zimbabwe, she anticipated a high-pressure environment, long hours and an intense workload but was pleasantly surprised by the balance and support she found from her team and her supervisor at America Needs You (ANY).
To support her role, Zillah received training from ANY staff and used resources like Excel and Salesforce to manage data and streamline her tasks. Her supervisor noted that Zillah’s work eased the burden on the understaffed team, praising her punctuality, proactive attitude, and ability to collaborate across departments. Zillah’s main project focused on matching fellows—first-generation students ranging from high school to graduate level—with mentor coaches for ANY’s 2024 New York cohort. She reviewed over 300 applications, considering interests, studies, and career goals to make meaningful pairings. Her goal was to match each fellow with a mentor coach, and she successfully and independently matched 150 fellow-mentor pairings.
Among other projects, Zillah also planned and executed the 2024 induction event, coordinating over 300 attendees, including fellows from the 2023 and 2024 cohorts and their mentor coaches. She described her team as interactive and supportive, with in-person meetings that fostered a sense of community. ANY not only provided her with a professional network but also a social circle, helping her maintain a healthy work-life balance. Zillah’s time at ANY helped her develop critical skills in communication, coordination, public speaking, and facilitation, all while contributing meaningfully to the organization.
Past Summer Funded Internships
- 2020 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
- 2019 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
- 2018 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
- 2017 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
- 2016 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
- 2015 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
- 2014 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
- 2013 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
- 2012 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
- 2011 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
- 2010 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)
- 2009 Summer Funded Internships (PDF)