Summer Internships & Funding Opportunities
Internships provide an immersive experience in a professional setting and can serve as a stepping stone to a full-time position or career opportunity. Many AAP students pursue and participate in internships throughout the year, most commonly in the summer.
AAP Career Development helps all AAP students organize and execute internship searches for local, national, and global opportunities throughout the year. Students can begin the process of searching for an internship by creating an account in Handshake, developing an effective resume and cover letter, and working with a career advisor to set goals and formally launch their internship search.
We strongly recommend all students who are pursuing summer internships to schedule a call with the AAP Career Development team to explore options, understand recruiting timelines, and take ownership of their search. Start the conversation by booking an advising appointment with the AAP Career Development Team.
Summer Funding Opportunities
AAP Career Development partners with various organizations to remove barriers and provide assistance related to summer internships. Flagship funding opportunities for AAP Students include:
The Summer Experience Grant: The SEG is a university wide collection of summer funding awards that provide financial support for students to complete summer unpaid or minimally paid career-related experiences. SEG supports students with living expenses, transportation, and travel so that these essential experiences are available to all of our students, who may otherwise not be able to afford them. The selection process is competitive, as we receive a large number of high-quality applications for a limited amount of funding. Each college’s career office reviews applications for their own students. Administration of the grant is coordinated by Central Career Services, and in Summer 2024, 3 AAP students received funding to support their summer opportunities.
The CRP Professional Opportunity Program: All first-year Master’s of Regional Planning and Master’s of Historic Preservation Planning students are eligible to receive a stipend for securing a summer internship, project, or opportunity related to their career goals. AAP Career Development works with the cohort throughout the academic year to set goals and activate networking and search strategies, and in the summer of 2024, over 50 students took advantage of the program and stipend. You can find more information on the program here: Cooperative Summer Internship Program for M.R.P./M.A. Students
The Mellon Social Impact Internship Award: In partnership with the Mellon Social Impact Initiative, AAP Career Development coordinates the Mellon Social Impact Internship Award for AAP students. The purpose of the Mellon Social Impact Internship funding is to support students in their pursuit of an internship or opportunity that introduces them to the inner workings of a public service organization while getting on-the-ground experience in specific practices of designing for justice. In Summer 2024, 6 selected students were awarded $5,000 to offset internship-related expenses, including transportation, housing, and food.
The Keithley Fellowships: Through a generous donation from Cornell Alumni Joe Keithley, the Keithley Fellowships provide internship funding and support for Planning and Landscape Architecture students in Cleveland, Ohio. These fellowships are typically filled by master’s level students, and in Summer 2024 7 students participated in internships with Cleveland organizations Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Cleveland MetroParks, Cleveland Restoration Society, University Circle, Inc., LAND studio, Holden Forest & Gardens, and Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
