Student internship program

These data were collected to assess the expectations for and impact of the Women and Career Options Internship Program funded by the Carnegie Corporation. Female students at six coeducational colleges in Massachusetts were invited to apply for an internship designed to encourage and assist undergraduates to pursue careers in professional fields traditionally dominated by men. A total of 413 applications were received over the two-year period of the program. Forty internships were awarded each academic year, 1973-1974 and 1974-1975. Interns were chosen by a panel of faculty fellows. Each applicant supplied a written essay or statement outlining her career goals and choices, a letter of recommendation from a faculty member or former employer, a college course transcript or performance evaluation, and answers to a mailed questionnaire. The 80 interns also completed a supplemental survey towards the end of their internship. The self-administered questionnaire explored factors influencing application for the internship, area of interest, the impact of the intern program office on campus, consultation received regarding the internship program, future education and career plans, experiences during the internship, and the influence of these experiences on future plans. All nonconfidential paper data and all computer-accessible data are available to users. Access to confidential records, which include the application folders for the 72 interns and the 159 applicants who were denied internships, is restricted and requires special approval.