Social-Purpose Summer Internships

The Social Management Immersion Fellowship supports MBA students who take summer employment opportunities with nonprofits, government agencies, and social-purpose businesses.

Open your doors to a Stanford MBA student for a summer internship. Tap into your intern’s management expertise and high level of energy while you contribute to his or her personal development and provide an experience that will help inform important career decisions.

Intern pointing to a computer screen

Recent SMIF Employers

  • Acumen Fund
  • Blueprint Local
  • Equal Opportunity Schools
  • Maiyet
  • New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority
  • Office of the Governor of California
  • SJF Ventures
  • Teach For America
  • TechnoServe
  • Trust Neighborhoods
  • U.S. Department of the Treasury
  • Clinton Foundation
Post an Internship Position to the Job Board

What Does an MBA Intern Bring to My Organization?

Stanford MBA students bring a unique combination of business expertise, fresh perspectives, passion, and commitment to the issues you are addressing. For 8 to 10 weeks, students commit to a project designed to meet the needs of your organization.

Examples of past summer internship projects include:

  • Creating an evaluation system for a social service agency
  • Plotting an expansion strategy for a national mentoring program
  • Developing a strategic communications and marketing plan for an international agricultural venture

How Do I Design a Successful Summer Internship?

Stanford MBA students seek:

  • A position spanning 8 to 10 weeks during the summer (June to mid-September)
  • The chance to positively impact real organizational challenges through a well-scoped, well-defined project utilizing analytical, strategic, and creative skills
  • The opportunity to work with senior management and a mentor, and to further develop their own leadership skills

Financial Support

Many nonprofit, government, and social-purpose for-profit organizations have summer employment opportunities for graduate students, yet find it difficult to pay MBA-level salaries. Organizations may apply for supplemental funding from the SMIF.

SMIF Selection Criteria

The SMIF selection process is rigorous, both for organizations that wish to hire a Stanford MBA student and for students interested in participating:

  • Organizations must demonstrate reliance on philanthropic capital, involve their Fellow in a mission-critical project, and mentor the student throughout the summer.
  • Students must demonstrate preparedness for the experience and a commitment to having real impact as a summer employee.

SMIF Conditions and Eligibility

  • Fellowships are granted for a minimum of eight weeks of work.
  • Students are eligible only if they return to Stanford GSB after their SMIF fellowship.
  • The following organizations are eligible for SMIF support: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (or the equivalent, if outside the United States); public entities, such as government agencies; and certain social-purpose for-profit businesses (contact us for more details).
Explore Other Ways to Work With Students
Contact the Social Management Internship Fund