How employers and career services can support students of color who are seeking paid internships

Article by Flore Dorcely-Mohr, Senior Director, Career Services (ONL/NWK/PAR/WDBRG), Berkeley College – Paramus

When I think back to my own experience as an undergrad 1st generation, woman of color, pursuing a non-STEM degree, on a college campus that was small, liberal arts, and predominantly white–it was a struggle to be connected with resources. 

We didn’t have any sororities and fraternities on our campus and I probably wouldn’t have joined them anyway since that was not my interest.  My parents made just enough money for me to be disqualified for EOF, so I didn’t have the extra supports and resources provided to some of my friends (financial, tutoring).  And I didn’t have a family trust fund like some of my classmates so I worked at least two part-time jobs the whole time I was there (3 during my senior year) even after maxing out in loans.  I had a full-time course-load and chose to stay on campus because my family home life was unstable–did my grades suffer?  Probably, but I made the best choices I thought I could for my circumstances at the time.  I think about what life was like back then for me and what it must be like for people like me now, when considering how to answer your question and it drives the work that I do daily in Career Services.

So I really appreciated the extra efforts that the Career Center must have made to find me and include me in marketing such opportunities. Truthfully, I don’t know exactly how they did it–yes, I remember posted announcements and flyers around campus. Maybe I got an email? But I would imagine they did like I do now–communicate regularly with financial aid and student accounts and academic advisement and personal counseling to understand which students are struggling in their college journey. I often find students of color in those places who are getting left behind.  They couldn’t have just relied on the “normal” avenues like asking faculty to send them their cherry-picked brightest or emailing the EOF Director for a shortlist of their finest.

And I’m not normal either. Certainly, I post paid internship opportunities on our online database for all students to apply, but that’s a given.  Until you tell me to stop–I will literally stalk you, if I don’t hear back from students I know could best benefit but have not applied.  Before COVID, I would wait for you outside in the parking lot or catch you in the computer lab or corner you in the hallway outside your class.  I will call you at home and work.  I will email you at home and work.  I will text you and contact you through social media.  It’s nothing for me to DM on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc.  Shoot, if you live in my neighborhood, I might drive by your house–just kidding!

They probably didn’t go through all those lengths at my college back then, but somehow, we found each other and the counselors saw me, noticed me, spoke with me and took a particular interest in my story.  They understood my situation and appreciated what might have left me under the radar for others.  I didn’t have the best grades but the discipline of my work grind was there. I may not have had the most polish, but I could convey passion in my cover letters and interviews. The counselors took the time to help me when I didn’t even know I needed it–every step of the way–encouraging me to apply, advising me on how to dress, coaching me in mock interviews, reviewing drafted thank you letters, etc.

In these challenging COVID times, we really need to think critically about what’s holding back our most vulnerable populations from attaining career success–these may be particularly acute for students of color.  Race is but one lens so we have to ask ourselves what other identities could be playing a factor?  Is there a disability?  Is the person a member of the LGBTQ+ community?  Is there a religious identity that should be recognized?  (I once had trouble finding an internship for a student who was prevented by her faith from working on Saturdays, and worked FT during the week…).  And then ask what other barriers need to be addressed like language, food insecurity, lack of internet access, limited transportation or childcare? Are there health issues to consider?

I was fortunate enough to complete not one, but two paid internships as Sociology major / Political Science minor–one during a semester in Washington, DC at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (I’m from NJ).  And that semester, I was spoiled for choice with 2 other offers; the Justice Department and the ACLU which were declined.  Frankly, I wouldn’t have been able to afford it otherwise. Knowing that, years later, when I returned to my Alma Mater filling a vacancy as their Internship Coordinator, my mission was clear: do more!  I was also fortunate enough to work with a very committed Director who had practically founded the Center and after she retired, I was blessed again, in working with her very progressive successor.  We connected with the University Advancement department and collaborated to develop donor-sponsored internship stipends–major donations totaling in the hundreds of thousands–before I moved on another institution after seven years there.  I know we helped a lot of students start and continue their careers but I know there’d definitely room to continuing doing more.

— Courtesy of Flore Dorcely-Mohr, Senior Director, Career Services (ONL/NWK/PAR/WDBRG), Berkeley College – Paramus.