Labor Summer
General Information
Learn Organizing Skills
Applied Research & Policy
Information for Union and CBO Hosts
FAQs
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Application Process
Eligibility
Time Conflicts
When is my application due?
Noon on Tuesday March 15, 2011. Due to the high volume of applications, late applications cannot be considered.
What do I need to
include with my application?
A completed application consists of two items: an online application that is filled out completely (especially your address and contact information) and a copy of your resume. The online application form provides a section where you can upload your resume to us directly.
I haven't had much paid
work experience, do I still need to submit a resume?
Yes. Feel free to include any volunteer work, organizing experience, and campus student group activism on your resume.
What is the interview process?
Do I need to travel to Berkeley for the interview?
We prefer to conduct all interviews in person at UC Berkeley, but in cases where we are unable to do an in-person interview, we will schedule a phone interview. If selected for an interview, we will contact you to schedule an interview. All interviews are usually completed in April.
I am trying to make summer plans. When will I find out
if I am accepted into the program?
We will try our best to let all applicants know if they have been accepted by mid-May. We also do rolling admissions, so if you apply early (before the application deadline) you may find out sooner if you have been accepted. If you are put on the wait list for the program, you may not know for sure if you have been accepted until after late May.
How will I know if I am accepted into the program?
All applicants who are accepted into the program will be notified by e-mail, and in most cases by phone. Applicants who are not accepted into the program will be notified by e-mail.
How will interns be matched to their sites? Is having
a car required?
Interns are matched to sites according to their skills, interests, and the languages that they speak fluently. Having a car is not required, but is extremely helpful and might increase your chances of getting placed. Historically many sites require the use of a car. Some sites are willing to provide a car; some are not. All sites are requested to compensate for the cost of gas interns use during their placement. We also try to match interns who do not have cars to sites that are accessible by public transportation, although these sites are rare.
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Attention SUMMER financial aid recipients: Students who are receiving financial aid during the summer are at risk of having their Labor Summer stipend intercepted by the financial aid office and applied towards any monies borrowed. Please contact the financial aid office if you have any further questions.
I'm not a UC student, can I still apply?
No. Unfortunately, we are only able to offer this internship to UC students at this time. There are several other programs that are not UC specific that you might be interested in. Their web addresses are below.
http://www.ctwo.org/index.php?s=27
http://www.midwestacademy.com/internship
http://www.unitehere.org/jobs/
http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/oi/main.cfm
http://www.aoec.org/ohip
If I participated in the past in the UC Berkeley Labor Summer program or the UCLA Labor Summer Internship Program, can I apply for this one?
You may apply, but the priority of this program is to place applicants who have not had the opportunity to participate in an internship like this before.
I'm a graduate student. Can I still apply?
Yes! This internship is for both graduate and undergraduate students. However, graduate students must meet the GSR requirements in order to be eligible; click here to see requirements on page 7.
I will graduate in Spring of 2011. Can I still apply?
Undergraduates who will graduate in the Spring of 2011 are eligible for the internship. Unfortunately, due to University hiring policy, graduate students who will graduate in Spring of 2011 are not eligible for the program.
I am transferring to a UC school but I won't start until the fall. Can I still apply?
New students entering in the Fall of 2011 are eligible as long as your transfer application has been accepted at a UC school and you are enrolled for the fall OR you have submitted your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by April 5.
I have been accepted and plan to attend a UC school in the fall as a freshman or first-year graduate student. Can I still apply?
Incoming first-year graduate students are eligible for the program if you have submitted your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) to your campus by April 5. Unfortunately, due to University hiring policy, incoming freshman are not eligible.
Do I have to be in a certain major or field to apply?
No, you just have to have a commitment to social and economic justice. You can apply from any major.
I don't have any organizing experience. Can I still apply?
Yes. We are looking for a diverse group of students. In the past, intern classes have included a broad mix of students who are dedicated and passionate about social justice with no experience and students who have lots of leadership experience either on their campus or with community based organizations and labor unions.
If I applied last year and did not get in can I apply again?
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I have to take a summer school class/LSAT prep class. Can I still do the internship?
It will be extremely difficult. This internship is very intense. Interns are required to spend 40 hours per week at their placement site. Interns average about 40-60 hours per week. In addition, interns are expected to attend education sessions and skills trainings. If you feel that you can handle a class on top of what is required of you as an intern, then it is up to you to make arrangements with the program and the placement site to work around your class schedule. We suggest that you apply and make a decision about your time commitments after you find out if you have been accepted into the program.
I have to attend a conference/wedding/etc. Can I leave for a few days?
If you need to miss more than one day of the internship, you will have to get approval from the program coordinators and your placement site. These decisions are made on a case by case basis. If the conference is related to social justice issues, expect to prepare a report-back on the conference for other Labor Summer participants.
What if I cannot stay for the entire 8-week session?
Interns are expected to be available for the entire 8 weeks. If you are not available for the period in its entirety, apply for the program anyway and talk to a coordinator about your specific circumstances. We give priority in placement to students who are able to commit to the entire summer session. No guarantees can be made that you will be able to participate in the program. You will not be admitted if you cannot attend the first week of training.
Do we have any days off over the summer?
Interns generally have Sundays off, unless you are working on a campaign that requires you to work on Sunday - for example, a campaign that has a congregational organizing component. In these cases, interns are given an alternative day off. Interns will have the July 5th off in observance of the July 4 holiday.
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Contact: Clementina Jara
Phone: (510) 643-7048
Email: zenaida@berkeley.edu
“The orientation and on-the-job training were excellent. I was surprised at the level of sophistication of the training at my site. I’ve never had an experience like that at any other job.”
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