By Aren Iverson ’27

According to College Recruiter, students who do internships are 14% more likely to get a job offer. Not only do internships and fellowships allow one to gain skills that are applicable to what they want to do post-graduation, but they also provide invaluable network connections that enable students to start building their careers while still in school. At Pace, students are given access to the exclusive Jeanette K. Watson Fellowship—a game-changer for go-getters.  

But first, what’s the difference between fellowships and internships? Fellowships are generally more independent positions, where students pursue professional development through academic inquiries in a specific field. In contrast, internships require one to work closely with a mentor and give students hands-on experience at a particular job. The Watson Fellowship is unique in that it combines aspects of both. In an interview, Professor Willliam “Bill” Offutt, the Pace point of contact for the fellowship, said, “most of the Watson recipients I know become exceedingly more confident in what they can do in the world. They are not intimidated by New York or even the globe in terms of their aspirations.” 

Created in 1999, the Jeanette K. Watson Fellowship is a 3-year program that gives students the opportunity to experience—among many other things—three paid internships, quality mentoring, and seminars on topics such as soft skills. It is designed to allow fellows to pursue many different opportunities instead of focusing on a specific career progression. Additionally, the fellowship gives students funding to pursue their interests and continue to develop as professionals. These come in amounts of $7,500, $9,000, or $10,000. The fellowship also includes a $2,000 Discovery Fund that can be used for further funding. In the next three graduating classes, five fellows are from Pace University. These fellows have interned at research centers and legislative offices in Australia, Canada, and Brazil. To apply for this fellowship, students must be a freshman in their second semester or a sophomore.  

Getting an internship or fellowship may seem daunting, but there are a few steps you can take to make the process more manageable. Keeping an updated resume will allow you to stay ready to apply for any opportunities that may come your way. Many internships and fellowships require recommendation letters, so make sure that you are building strong relationships with your teachers and other mentors. This includes things like turning in assignments and showing up to class on time that might seem small, but are crucial in showing that you are a committed professional who would be a good addition to any team. Additionally, it’s important to actively pursue the opportunities that you want. Don’t sit and wait for things to fall in your lap, go out and look for internships and fellowships that are in the field you’re interested in. Pace’s Career Services—located on the first floor of 161 Williams—is a great resource for help at any stage of the internship/fellowship process. Make sure to keep an eye out for Career Services’ events, like free headshots, that will give you a competitive edge in your application process. For the Watson Fellowship specifically, there is a team of faculty that will help applicants with the process.  

If interested in the Watson Fellowship, Honors students can contact Professor Offutt with any questions. There is a meeting about the fellowship that will take place on October 23rd at 12:15 p.m., located in 1 Pace Plaza, W502. For more information about the application process, visit Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship | Watson Foundation.