Summer Mentorship Experience

Overview

The Summer Mentorship Experience (SME) is a competitive summer internship program for Rice undergraduates who aspire to high-level leadership.

The SME is much more than a typical summer internship. Before starting their internships, students attend class sessions that focus on leadership in professional contexts. For nine weeks over the course of the summer, students do substantive work with recognized leaders in public, private, or non-profit organizations. Students also complete readings and written assignments that deepen their understanding of the personal and professional demands leaders face.  

Each SME participant is paired with a mentor who is responsible for overseeing the student's learning and personal development, and we only partner with organizations at which the student will do substantive work and have some opportunity to observe and interact with recognized leaders. Placements include dynamic and demanding summer work experiences in a variety of industries—many of which are normally unpaid—and are concentrated locally in Houston, New York City and Washington, D.C., and internationally in Paris, France and Pune, India. 

Eligibility

All (non-graduating) undergraduate students are eligible to apply for the SME program.

Ambitious freshmen are invited to apply, but should be aware that admissions preference is given to similarly qualified sophomores and juniors.

Requirements and Expectations  

All students admitted to the SME program must enroll in LEAD 150, a one-credit class that meets for two days after spring final exams (Thursday, April 30 - Friday, May 1). During these class days, students interact with Leadership Rice staff and get to know other students in the SME program, including a small cohort of students they will interact with regularly throughout the summer. Students also become familiar with essential leadership skills and keys to success in professional contexts. Over the course of the summer, students complete assignments that link concepts with work experiences.

Participants in the SME program must commit to:

• Working full-time (minimum 40 hours per week) for nine weeks during the summer (June 1 - July 31).
  
• Taking LEAD 150 for a grade and attending the associated class sessions on May 6th & 7th.
  
• Attending all meetings and events scheduled for SME participants.

Funding

SME program participants are awarded a stipend to cover living expenses and, when applicable, travel costs. For SME 2009, the stipend for Houston placements was $4,000.  To account for travel expenses and cost of living adjustments, the stipend for placements in Washington, D.C. and New York City was $6,000. Stipends for international placements will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Stipends will be awarded in installments, with each payment contingent on satisfactory completion of all SME requirements to that point.

The Application Process

Applications for the 2010 SME are will be made available by early December and will be due January 29, 2010. In early February, the strongest candidates will be invited for an interview. Placements are awarded to students demonstrating a commitment to leadership, the capacity for leadership, and the ability to articulate the ways in which leadership development is integral to future plans.  

During the application process, students indicate the types of placements that are of greatest interest. Leadership Rice is responsible for matching students with organizations and mentors, and cannot guarantee a specific placement at the time of application. After all applications have been reviewed, interviews have been conducted, and the pool of participating organizations has been finalized, Leadership Rice offers to each accepted student a placement with a specific organization.  

Timeline

Applications Due: January 29, 2010
Interviews: Early February
Offers Extended: February - March
LEAD 150: May 6 & 7
Mentorships: June 1 - July 31

Mentorship Placements

Click here to see a list of the types of organizations that have participated in the SME program in previous years. Leadership Rice regularly recruits new mentors. To nominate an organization, please contact David Nino, Director of Leadership Rice, at davidnino@rice.edu , or Judy Le, Associate Director of Leadership Rice, at judy.le@rice.edu.