{"id":695192,"date":"2026-03-02T16:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/?p=695192"},"modified":"2026-02-27T14:32:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T19:32:06","slug":"hire-rochester-new-paid-internship-program-695192","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/hire-rochester-new-paid-internship-program-695192\/","title":{"rendered":"New Hire Rochester Internship Program opens doors to paid professional experiences"},"content":{"rendered":"

Exclusively for URochester undergraduates, the program is made possible through a generous leadership gift from trustee Judith Reinsdorf \u201986.<\/h2>\n

As part of For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>URochester is launching the Hire Rochester Internship Program<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

By the end of the For Ever Better<\/em> campaign in 2030, the University of Rochester<\/a>\u2019s 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 \u201986<\/a>, whose commitment establishes the foundation for the program\u2019s long-term growth. Reinsdorf\u2019s generosity will support five students each year in perpetuity, beginning in summer 2026.<\/p>\n

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University Trustee Judith Reinsdorf \u201986 (photo provided)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u2019s reach by encouraging their employers to participate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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,\u201d says Elaine Sia, senior vice provost for academic excellence. \u201cWe are deeply grateful to Judy for her vision, partnership, and generosity. Support from alumni and the broader community is essential to helping students thrive\u2014particularly through internships that are often critical to starting their careers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHelping students be successful at this moment\u2014when the path from college to career feels increasingly complex\u2014aligns deeply with my own interests and with the University\u2019s commitment to expanding access to career opportunities,\u201d says Reinsdorf. \u201cWhen I was a student, my career path felt clear. Many students do not have that clarity, though\u2014and without real-world experiences like internships, it is much harder for them to discover what is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reinsdorf is a former executive vice president and general counsel of Johnson Controls International. She joined the University\u2019s Board of Trustees in 2023, became cochair of its Women\u2019s Network in 2025<\/a>, and has long supported career initiatives as a member of the George Eastman Circle<\/a>. Reinsdorf earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in political science from URochester and a JD from Cornell University.<\/p>\n

More competition for fewer internships<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Experiential learning is a central pillar of the University\u2019s Boundless Possibility<\/em> strategic plan<\/a> and an increasingly important aspect of higher education. It includes a variety of opportunities\u2014internships, performances, research, field experiences, education abroad, community engagement, clinical rotations, and more\u2014all of which positively influence student recruitment and retention, sense of belonging, and post-graduate success.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to hiring, employers consistently cite internships as the single most influential factor in their decision-making,\u201d says Jodyi Wren, associate dean at the Gwen M. Greene Center for Career Education and Connections<\/a>. \u201cUnfortunately, many students cannot afford to pursue internships\u2014particularly 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2025, 96 percent of the University\u2019s 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\u2019s online career platform, even as student interest increased significantly.<\/p>\n

Wren notes that this mirrors national trends, as recent Handshake data show<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

New program to offer stipends and advising <\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Greene Center will manage the Hire Rochester Internship Program. Recipients will be awarded a full-time summer internship with:<\/p>\n