MAGAZINE FALL 2024
Unpaid internships are a catch-22 for students. Students are excited to gain experience, yet they often need an income. “The costs of academic credits, rent, food, and transportation add up quickly,” says Jaimini Patel (BSBA ’25).
For nearly 25 years, undergraduate students have been able to pursue internships and experiential learning opportunities thanks to gifts from donors.
The Pitt Business Career Internship Scholarship Program (PBCIS) provides scholarships for students pursuing unpaid opportunities.
Formerly known as the Tafel Summer Internship Scholarship, this program has grown over the years, helping hundreds of students gain the real-world experience they need to be successful after graduation. It also has a significant impact on companies that may not have been able to have an intern otherwise.
Regarding the dual impact, Claire Dawkins, internship manager for undergraduates, says, “It is a joy to support students by expanding their careers and helping provide an opportunity for growth to small businesses and other organizations.”
Melody Yang
Unlocking Potential
Every student has a different reason for seeking an internship, yet the unique experiences are the first step to finding a successful career.
Melody Yang (BSBA ’25) has had large corporation internships in her home country but knows that sometimes the most impactful internships are with small businesses. “I wanted to work at a small local business and use what I’ve learned in school to help them achieve their marketing goals,” she says. She was an eco-marketing intern at The Refillery PGH, a woman- and minority-owned zero-waste store. “Small businesses need us,” Yang says.
Patel’s academic and professional interests transcend traditional business education. She interned this past summer with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, conducting legal research and creating documents. On top of her internship, Patel took the LSAT and worked on law school applications, hoping to focus on corporate and business law. “This experience will benefit me in law school and my future career. I learned and experienced so many different things daily in the courtroom and the office,” Patel says.
Jaimini Patel
Nate Quigley (BSBA ’26) learned about the scholarship while searching for support resources for unpaid internships. His experience as a growth and strategy intern with startup Athletics Untapped equipped him with new skills and knowledge. He says, “This internship allowed me to understand how a startup grows and competes in a market.”
Nathan Quigley
How You Can Help
This program has made a difference in hundreds of students’ lives and its success depends on the generosity of alumni and friends. Quigley and Patel both want to pay it forward upon graduation. “Your support not only reinforced my determination to succeed but also inspired me to give back and help others in the future,” Quigley says.
This program is possible because of philanthropic support. To learn how you can help, please contact Mike Taljan, Director of Development, Pitt Business, at mike.taljan@pitt.edu.