Office of Engagement

Leahy Institute Summer Internship Program

The Vision

Create high-quality learning opportunities where UVM students

build reciprocal relationships in rural Vermont communities;
apply their skills to advance solutions to Vermont challenges;
positively impact Vermont  economies.

Statewide Summer Internship Project Goals

Develop and support robust, engaging internship positions with rural Vermont employers
Subsidize competitive, equitable intern wages
Facilitate a cohort of community-based interns including weekly professional development workshops
Offer internship program development and management resources to employer hosts

The UVM Office of Engagement seeks partnerships with local Regional Development Corporations and other community organizations to help manifest these goals in every sector of Vermont.

2023 Central Vermont Summer Internship Project Pilot

This pilot project resulted from a partnership between the UVM Office of Engagement (OoE) and the Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation (CVEDC).

This pilot program ran for ten weeks (May 30-Aug 4, 2023) and engaged a cohort of 11 interns at a total of nine sites in Central Vermont. CVEDC Executive Director, Melissa Bounty used her network to identify and engage interested Central Vermont employers. Kristen Andrews, OoE Internship Coordinator, developed and managed the pilot, including leading weekly professional development workshops for the cohort of interns.

Overall, the Central Vermont Summer Internship Project Pilot was a success. Washington County businesses that had never hosted an intern before received financial and program support to do so. All expressed interest in continued partnership with UVM and in hiring more interns in the future.

“UVM students worked in engaging, well paid positions in Vermont, outside of Chittenden County, made strong community connections, and contributed their skills and expertise to the rural economic landscape. The interns enjoyed a dynamic community of fellow interns and learned and reflected upon new learning and insights.”

- Kristen Andrews, Statewide Summer Internship Project Program Director

Want to learn more?

Contact Statewide Summer Internship Project Program Director Kristen.andrews@uvm.edu

Employer Information (PDF)

Guide to Internships - UVM Career Center

Katie Roche ’24 (right) interned with Daryn Forgeron (left), Marketing Director at Working Fields, an inclusive employment agency in Barre (Summer 2023). Katie used the skills she gained in her Anthropology major to conduct public outreach and market research and manage a social media campaign.

Ryan Buck ’24 (right), a UVM Mechanical Engineering major, interned with Dessureau Machines in Barre, (Summer, 2023) supervised by Company President Mark Dessureau (left). Ryan gained hands on experience developing precision machining & fabrication solutions for clients.