Exclusively for URochester undergraduates, the program is made possible through a generous leadership gift from trustee Judith Reinsdorf ’86.
As part of For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester, URochester is launching the Hire Rochester Internship Program, which offers paid internship experiences created exclusively for its undergraduates. By pairing financial support with career coaching and professional development and equipping partner organizations with structured guidance, the program transforms internships into career-launching experiences that will expand opportunities for students after graduation.
By the end of the For Ever Better campaign in 2030, the University of Rochester’s goal is to support 50 paid Hire Rochester internships every year. The program is made possible through a generous leadership gift from University Trustee Judith Reinsdorf ’86, whose commitment establishes the foundation for the program’s long-term growth. Reinsdorf’s generosity will support five students each year in perpetuity, beginning in summer 2026.
To bring the program to full scale, additional funding is needed for 45 more internships, along with more companies and organizations stepping forward to host URochester students. Alumni and industry partners are invited to help expand the program’s reach by encouraging their employers to participate.
“We want our undergraduates to have at least two high-impact experiential learning opportunities during their time here, and the new Hire Rochester Internship Program will help make that happen,” says Elaine Sia, senior vice provost for academic excellence. “We are deeply grateful to Judy for her vision, partnership, and generosity. Support from alumni and the broader community is essential to helping students thrive—particularly through internships that are often critical to starting their careers.”
“Helping students be successful at this moment—when the path from college to career feels increasingly complex—aligns deeply with my own interests and with the University’s commitment to expanding access to career opportunities,” says Reinsdorf. “When I was a student, my career path felt clear. Many students do not have that clarity, though—and without real-world experiences like internships, it is much harder for them to discover what is possible.”
Reinsdorf is a former executive vice president and general counsel of Johnson Controls International. She joined the University’s Board of Trustees in 2023, became cochair of its Women’s Network in 2025, and has long supported career initiatives as a member of the George Eastman Circle. Reinsdorf earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from URochester and a JD from Cornell University.
More competition for fewer internships
Experiential learning is a central pillar of the University’s Boundless Possibility strategic plan and an increasingly important aspect of higher education. It includes a variety of opportunities—internships, performances, research, field experiences, education abroad, community engagement, clinical rotations, and more—all of which positively influence student recruitment and retention, sense of belonging, and post-graduate success.
“When it comes to hiring, employers consistently cite internships as the single most influential factor in their decision-making,” says Jodyi Wren, associate dean at the Gwen M. Greene Center for Career Education and Connections. “Unfortunately, many students cannot afford to pursue internships—particularly those who rely on paid work during the summer to offset their college expenses. In addition to financial barriers, students also face high competition for a small number of paid internship opportunities.”
In 2025, 96 percent of the University’s graduating seniors reported engaging in at least one experiential learning opportunity. At the same time, Wren reports that the University experienced a 15 percent decline in internship and job postings on Handshake, the University’s online career platform, even as student interest increased significantly.
Wren notes that this mirrors national trends, as recent Handshake data show declining internship and early-career job postings nationwide alongside rising student demand. She attributes the tightening landscape to geopolitical uncertainty, broader economic conditions, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on entry-level roles, which underscores the need for innovative initiatives like the Hire Rochester Internship Program.
New program to offer stipends and advising
The Greene Center will manage the Hire Rochester Internship Program. Recipients will be awarded a full-time summer internship with:
- A $7,250 stipend distributed through the summer
- A dedicated career advisor
- Peer support as a cohort program
- Educational and social programming
- Final celebration with student presentations highlighting new skills gained through the program
The Hire Rochester Internship Program will connect qualified University undergraduates from the School of Arts & Sciences, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, and Simon Business School with not-for-profits, startups, and small businesses in the Rochester, New York, area. As the program grows, it will expand through partnerships with alumni who lead or own organizations across the United States. The Greene Center will continue to provide training and program structure and facilitate student funding, while participating organizations will hire qualified URochester students for these internships.
“Hire Rochester fills a clear gap,” underscores Wren. “Students want internships, but securing them is difficult, and many available opportunities are unpaid or fail to cover basic living costs. As a result, students are often forced to choose between pursuing paid work that is not career-focused or missing out on valuable experience. This new program is designed specifically for URochester students, providing distinct opportunities available only to them.”
Hire Rochester is one of four signature internship programs that provide real-world experience and skills development with financial support. The others include the Bond Family Foundation Internship, Loren Ostrow & Brian Newkirk Internship Program, and Schwartz Community-Based Internships.
“Hire Rochester is a phenomenal new internship program that offers everyone an opportunity to support our amazing undergraduates,” says trustee Emeritus Gwen Greene ’65. “It is completely in sync with the goals of the Greene Center—to teach our students critical job skills, expand their networks, and create previously unimagined opportunities. Ensuring that URochester students reach their full potential is not only a centerpiece of the University’s strategic plan and vital to alumni like me, but it is also critical to the future of both higher education and the workforce.” In 2011, the University’s career education office was named in recognition of Greene’s leadership, philanthropy, and commitment to preparing students for professional success.
Adds Reinsdorf: “Internships are launching pads—they give students exposure to professional environments, build confidence, and help them develop critical skills. This program removes barriers on both sides by opening doors for students while giving organizations the structure they need to create meaningful opportunities. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of this important work.”
