PAID SUMMER INTERNSHIPS and CO-OPS for STUDENTS with DISABILITIES

Who is eligible?
a) student who has any type of disability
b) major in engineering, sciences, math, computer science, MIS, economics, business
c) undergraduate or graduate student
d) B average GPA or higher
e) U.S. citizen, or permanent resident (green card)

What is ENTRY POINT?
ENTRY POINT is a program that recruits, and helps to place, students with disabilities into paid internships and co-op programs in industry and government agencies.
ENTRY POINT serves as a talent scout and matchmaker. Students send application materials to the ENTRY POINT program. ENTRY POINT recommends students to employers. Offers are made directly to students by the employers, through their regular internship programs. These are not "segregated" or "special" internships.
ENTRY POINT is managed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of the world's largest non-profit professional organizations of and for scientists, engineers, mathematicians, policymakers, and educators. AAAS has won awards for its 30-year history of opening doors of opportunity for students and professionals who have disabilities.

Which employers offer paid internships, as partners with ENTRY POINT?
Employers include:
IBM
NASA
Google
Merck Pharmaceutical Co.
Pfizer Pharmaceutical Co.
CVS Pharmacy Services
Lockheed Martin
National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NAVAIR (Naval Air Command)
Certain university research labs

Internship sites exist in many places across the U.S.

What do employers provide?
Employers provide competitive salaries, workplace accommodations and/or assistive technology as needed, and onsite mentors who advise students on career planning. Some employers provide housing assistance for interns who relocate for the summer.

How can ENTRY POINT assist my career development?
a) ENTRY POINT Success Rate = over 90%
Among ENTRY POINT alums, over 90% are currently working in good jobs in their fields or
are pursuing advanced graduate degrees of their choice.
b) A productive internship or co-op now (before graduation) helps with job-seeking later
(after graduation). A successful internship or co-op gives potential employers and
interviewers demonstrated evidence that the student with a disability can succeed in
the workplace, as well as in school.
c) Students with disabilities have found that internships through ENTRY POINT open doors
to their careers and/or advanced graduate programs.

When should I apply?
As soon as possible. Opportunities for summer internships fill up rapidly, so the sooner the better.

What are my chances?
The placement rate is about 50% overall.

How do I begin?
a) Contact Dr. Anne Swanson to convey your interest and/or ask questions. Dr. Swanson is the Northern California representative for ENTRY POINT. She has had a lifelong disability and a career in science, and is happy to communicate with you.
Email: anneswanson@earthlink.net
b) Begin the application process online http://www.entrypoint.org
Click on the link "How to Apply." Then click on the embedded link “online preliminary application,” fill out the information and click "Submit." This begins the process; it does not commit you to a full application.
c) Anne Swanson is happy to answer any questions you have about the application process or materials. Sending a complete application does not commit you to accepting an offer.

What constitutes a complete application portfolio?
Application materials include several components:
- online preliminary application form
- letter of introduction about your experience and interests
- accommodations and/or assistive technology needs
- current resume
- 2 letters of recommendation (1 must be from faculty)
- official transcript (send unofficial copy while waiting for the official one)

Application components may be sent separately, as they are ready. You don’t have to send them all at one time, together in one packet. All but the official transcript may be sent electronically.

Send to Ms. Laureen Summers at ENTRY POINT headquarters:

lsummers@aaas.org

Ms. Laureen Summers, ENTRY POINT
AAAS Project on Science, Technology & Disability
1200 New York Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005

(202)-326-6649 voice/TDD
(202)-371-9849 FAX
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