Each summer, the Exxon Mobil Corporation provides 75 local nonprofit agencies with grants designated to hire college interns for eight weeks during the summer. Students are introduced to nonprofit social, cultural and health service organizations in the hope that they will consider careers or volunteer leadership positions in the nonprofit sector. Agencies enjoy the extra staff help during the season when many employees take vacation. Internship positions vary from caseworkers to public relations assistants. In addition to working at the nonprofit agencies, interns attend three summer training sessions together.
Students also gather for social activities such as an evening at the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas.
Agency Criteria Grant applications are available in November each year, and participating agencies are selected in January. Tax-supported entities are not eligible. Once grants have been awarded to 75 nonprofit organizations, the agencies themselves are responsible for recruiting, interviewing and hiring their summer interns by May 1. Interns must be enrolled undergraduates who have completed their freshman year and will be returning to college full-time in the fall. Students apply directly to the agencies of their choice for the paid internships.