Student FAQs
The Mellon Humanities Internship Program (MHIP) provides undergraduate students with high-quality, paid professional experiences, along with the personal support you need to succeed.
1. Who is eligible to apply for MHIP?
MHIP is open to undergraduate students in the following majors and concentrations:
- African and African American Studies
- Anthropology
- Art – Global Art Histories concentration
- Earth Sciences – Geography and Geoarchaeology concentrations
- English
- History
- International and Global Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Sociology
- World Languages and Literatures
All undergraduate classifications are eligible to apply, including first-year students, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
2. When Should I Apply?
Applying early helps ensure you meet all requirements and deadlines.
- If you want to intern in the Spring, you should apply during the Fall semester.
- If you want to be an intern in the Fall, you should apply during Spring/Summer.
- If you want to be an intern in the Summer, you should apply in the Spring semester.
3. What happens after I submit my eligiblity form?
Students must submit their resume to the Career Specialist to be considered for the next phase in the program to secure an internship. The Mellon team will review and determine your eligibility for the program. Students must submit their resume to be considered for the next phase in the program to secure an internship.
4. Will MHIP place me in an internship, or do I choose my internship site?
MHIP does not place or select an internship for students. Participants are responsible for selecting and applying to the internship site directly.
Students should review available internship opportunities, identify a site that aligns with their interests and goals, and, once the Career Specialist reviews and approves their resume, apply to be considered by the site. If you are interested in an internship site that is not an MHIP partner, the site must submit an internship host form and be approved.
5. Can I apply for an internship that is not listed by MHIP?
Yes. Students may pursue an internship opportunity that is not currently listed by MHIP. However, all internship sites must be approved by the Mellon team before the internship begins. The organization must complete the required Internship Host Form as part of the site approval process. Students should contact the Career Specialist if they are considering an internship site that is not currently listed.
6. When can I start my MHIP internship, and what enrollment requirements must I meet?
Students who have completed all program requirements may be cleared to begin their internships on or after the 15th day of classes during the fall or spring semesters.
7. What program requirements do I need to complete during my internship?
Students must complete all required MHIP onboarding, one professional development activities, as well as pre- and final assessments. As part of the final assessment, students will also complete a 250-word reflection about their internship experience.
During the fall and spring semesters, students must enroll in classes at the UofM to qualify for MHIP. Students' enrollment status will be checked before the 15th day of classes. Students who are not enrolled in classes during the internship semester will be removed from the program and will not qualify for the internship grant.
Students interning during the summer must be registered for classes in the upcoming fall semester. Before beginning their internships, fall registration must be confirmed. Upon confirmation of fall registration, students will receive a start date for their summer internship.
8. Can I participate in another job or internship while completing MHIP?
Yes. Students may participate in other employment or internships while completing MHIP, if these commitments do not interfere with their MHIP internship responsibilities, contracted hours, or required program activities.
9. Can I change my internship site after I begin?
Internship placements are established for the duration of the internship contract and cannot be changed after the internship begins. If you experience concerns or challenges at your internship site, please contact the Career Specialist to discuss the situation and support available.
10. Who should I contact if I have questions or concerns during my internship?
Students should contact Serena Whittaker with any questions or concerns related to the MHIP program. This includes questions about the program or professional development opportunities, as well as concerns about leaving an internship, the internship site, or their supervisor. Students are encouraged to communicate with Serena as soon as an issue arises so that appropriate support can be provided.
11. What happens if I need to leave my internship before my contract ends?
If you are considering leaving your internship early, please contact Serena Whittaker before making any changes. Afterwards, the contract will be void and you will only receive payment for the time worked.
12. What happens to my grant if I do not complete my internship?
If you do not complete the full contract period, you will not receive the full stipend. You will be paid based on the hours you worked and completed during your internship.
13. Can I work more hours than required for my MHIP internship and earn more than the stipend amount?
No. Students may not exceed the maximum number of internship hours or the stipend amount for their internship semester. Contracts will be nullified once you reach the total hours.
14. What happens after I complete my internship?
After completing your internship, you will be asked to participate in a debrief session. This is an opportunity to:
- Reflect on your experience at your internship site.
- Discuss your growth and what you learned throughout the internship.
- Share feedback about your internship site, supervisor, and overall experience.
- Identify areas for improvement and discuss what additional support could have helped you during your internship.
Your feedback helps MHIP strengthen its internship partnerships, improve student experience, and better understand how students grow professionally from the beginning to the end of their internship.
15. Can graduate students participate in MHIP?
No. Due to grant funding guidelines, MHIP is currently available only to undergraduate students.