WISP
The Winter Intersession Program (WISP) provides an opportunity for sophomores, juniors, seniors, and 1st-year MILRs to develop on-the-job experience through a short-term assignment with a project sponsor. The program allows students to select a project rather than a screening process by the sponsor. This enables a student with relatively little formal employment history to gain valuable experience and to prove his or her abilities on-the-job.
WISP projects are available in a variety of career fields and organizations, including corporate, non-profit, labor, and government sectors. Specific sponsors and project assignments will vary from year to year. See the past sponsors to review prior years' assignments, and opportunities for this year's projects.
Students are assigned to WISP projects through a lottery process or through an individualized search. In a few cases the employer offers compensation for the WISP project and will select the student for the assignment. International students are usually not able to pursue a paid WISP opportunity and should seek advice from our office. Students are able to pursue an independent internship search at an organization of their choice for the winter intersession without using the lottery system.
Most participants choose to go through the lottery, although students who have very specific geographic preferences or needs may find the individualized approach more successful. The WISP coordinator will work with students who need to conduct an individualized search.
STUDENTS: Submit your WISP online application.
Contact Information
For more information on the Winter Intersession Program, please contact the WISP coordinator at ilrwisp@cornell.edu or 607-255-7816.
