Spring/Fall College Internship

Interns typically work about 8-10 hours per week, some a bit more, some a bit less. We understand that you are juggling your internship, a full courseload and other commitments. It’s important to have this internship work for everyone.

While DOROT is open five days per week, some departments request to have interns join them on particular day or during particular hours. These requests could impact an intern’s placement within the organization. Typically, the following departments request interns: Connect Through Tech (hybrid), Impact and Evaluation (often remote), Intergenerational Program Engagement (in-person, late afternoons/evenings), Kosher Meals at Home (in-person), Volunteer Services (hybrid), DOROT Westchester (in-person).

The answer to this question very much depends on the department that the intern is assigned to. Interns in the Kosher Meals at Home Department take meal orders and do check-ins with older adults while those assigned to the Intergenerational Program Engagement Department assist with facilitating workshops and activities for older adults and teens to engage together, in-person and on Zoom. In short, it definitely varies. All interns take on real and meaningful work that is vital to DOROT’s mission. In addition, interns will assist with data entry and other tasks of the like, just as a DOROT staff member would. Interns often spend a lot of time on the phone with older adults, helping with survey calls, having a weekly check-in, inviting them to programs, etc. Comfort speaking on the phone is a must!

Absolutely! With that in mind, we do ask that interns check in with their individual schools to ensure that they have the contact information for the necessary DOROT staff members. We are always happy to sign off on internship hours, but, unfortunately, can’t guarantee a minimum number of hours worked per semester. Some schools have strict requirements, but others are flexible. Students should check in with their schools before accepting an internship position.

Each intern must have access their own personal laptop computer for the duration of their time at DOROT. This computer should be up-to-date with all updates and should be used for each day of the internship. Remote interns need to have reliable access to Wi-Fi

DOROT’s dress code is business casual (and is something that is covered in further detail at orientation, prior to the start of the internship). Jeans are only permitted to be worn in the office on Fridays, so long as there are no meetings planned with representatives from outside organizations.

We expect that interns will arrive on-time (whether in-person or logging on remotely), meet the expectations of their supervisors, are team players, and are open to having new experiences. A sunny and positive disposition is appreciated, but not required.

After a candidate has had their initial interview, and once we have received all of their application materials, including two electronic references, their application will be shared with the supervisor of the department that we believe would be the best fit. That supervisor will inform the DOROT College Internship Team if they would like to invite the candidate for a second-round interview so they can share a bit more about this individual department, responsibilities, etc. We try to move the interview process along as quickly as possible, keeping in mind that we can only move forward once all components of the application have been submitted.

First and second-round interviews take place on Zoom.

Because Academic Interns often have different schedules and start dates from one another, we hold orientation about one week before the majority of interns will be beginning their internships, towards the end of August and January.

Orientation lasts three hours and gives the interns a chance to meet one another. DOROT staff members from the Constituent and Community Services Department, People and Culture Team and IT present to the group on important topics such as engaging with older adults, privacy and confidentiality and workplace expectations.

A formal email will be sent to candidates that have been accepted as DOROT Academic Interns. They will then be given about a week to be in touch and confirm whether or not they would like to accept this internship position. To accept the internship, students are asked to complete a brief form, provide a U.S. Government Issued photo ID, a photo for DOROT’s Directory (smiles are appreciated!) and submit to a background check (the cost of which is covered by DOROT). All of this is explained in more detail in the acceptance email and due dates are clearly indicated.