Summer Mentorship Experience
Overview
The Summer Mentorship Experience (SME) is a prestigious 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 training 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 some of the most prestigious and demanding summer work experiences in a variety of industries—many of which are normally unpaid—and are concentrated in Houston, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
Eligibility
In recent years, students have been required to take LEAD 309: Leadership Theory to Practice in order to be eligible to apply for the Summer Mentorship Experience. This is no longer the case. 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. Admission to the program is competitive and based on leadership ambition and potential.
Requirements and Expectations
All students admitted to the SME program must participate in supplementary activities in conjunction with the mentorship. The activities include a series of on-campus training sessions that take place between spring final exams and commencement. During these 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 written assignments that link concepts with work experiences.
Participants in the SME program must also commit to:
• Working full-time (minimum 40 hours per week) for nine weeks during the summer (June 2 - August 1).
• Attending all meetings and events scheduled for SME participants.
• Facilitating a site visit with Leadership Rice staff.
• Completing all reading and writing requirements for the program.
Funding
SME program participants are awarded a stipend to cover living expenses and, when applicable, travel costs. For SME 2008, the stipend for Houston placements is $4,000. To account for travel expenses and cost of living adjustments, the stipend for placements in Washington, D.C. and New York City is $6,000. Stipends for any 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
The 2008 SME application process has been completed. Tentatively, applications for the 2009 SME will be due in early 2009. 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 - 2008 SME
The deadline to submit applications for the 2008 SME has passed.
SME Training will be held May 6th to the 8th.
Mentorships will take place from June 2nd to August 1st.
Timeline - 2009 SME (Tentative)
Applications Due: January
Interviews: February
Offers Extended: March
SME Training: May
Mentorships: June - August
Repeat Placements
Students who have completed the SME program may apply for one of a small number of prestigious placements made available to second-time participants. Students selected for repeat placements will be responsible for leading and advising a cohort of first-time participants during the SME training sessions and throughout the duration of the mentorship.
Standalone Placements
In exceptional circumstances, Leadership Rice may fund a summer work experience for a student in a city where there is no Leadership Rice cohort or with an organization that cannot accomodate the standard mentorship experience. These opportunities are considered only for exceedingly prestigious and competitive placements for which funding is otherwise unavailable. Students awarded such placements are required to dialogue with Leadership Rice staff regularly throughout the summer and must complete assignments that substitute for the group component of cohort participation.
Mentorship Menu
Click here to see a list of the types of organizations that have particpated in the SME program. Leadership Rice regularly recruits new mentors. To nominate an organization, please contact Leadership Rice at leading@rice.edu.
