Objective
The primary goal of the Enternship initiative is to give Bentley students the opportunity to work (just like an "internship") with a small, innovative company (often a start-up venture), follow an apprentice model that gives you access to experiential learning, and gain exposure to how small, innovative companies address the many challenges they face. The primary outcome of an Enternship is not a job in the sponsoring company (although that may happen). Instead, students who are selected to participate as Enterns will learn about start-up ventures, and build their knowledge about a particular industry vertical.
What is an Enternship?
An Enternship experience is similar to an internship experience. It is structured in a similar manner. As an Entern, you will (a) work with a start-up during the summer weeks, and (b) get paid for doing the work and participating in the experience. The sponsoring organizations will look for you to engage with their day-to-day operations and assign you specific tasks (in functional areas such as marketing, operations, accounting). However, they will also provide you opportunities to participate in the entrepreneurial process. You will cultivate new skills and a new attitude that will propel you towards your own venture.
What makes an Enternship unique?
An Enternship is primarily an experiential learning opportunity. The E-Hub encourages the students to consider the Enternship not only as a stepping stone to full-time employment within the startup; but rather, an opportunity to learn by participating within this startup. Startups participating in this program are, therefore, committed to fostering an environment, where they can benefit from the expertise of the student, and help the student take first steps in the start-up world (without the expectation of offering jobs afterward).
Program Structure
An Enternship will last for a period of 12 weeks during the summer (typical of a normal internship). The Enternships are supported by a collaboration among the participating companies, the Entrepreneurship Hub (E-Hub) with support from Bentely alumni, and the Pulsifer Career Development Center.
Scale and Logistics
The process for working with start-up ventures who may be interested in offering Enternships is managed primarily by the E-Hub. The E-Hub will collaborate extensively with the Pulsifer Career Development Center to manage the process of bringing these opportunities to the students, and making the matches between companies offering Enternships and students seeking Enternships. The E-Hub anticipates offering at least 5 Enternships starting in Summer 2025.
Sponsoring Enternships
The E-Hub seeks small, innovative companies that are eager to offer hands-on learning experiences through the Enternship initiative. We anticipate the as a sponsor, the company will foster a creative and entrepreneurial environment where students can actively contribute to meaningful projects and gain practical insight into the startup world.
Eligibility
To qualify for the program, a sponsoring company should:
- Have between 10 to 100 employees.
- Be in operation for no more than 10 years.
- Operate in innovative and high-growth industries such as technology, health, consumer services, or other verticals.
- Be committed to providing hands-on learning experiences and mentoring students.
If you are interested in sponsoring but your company does not meet all the criteria, we encourage you to make the argument that your company can provide a suitable Enternship experience. This may happen, for example, if your company is starting a new line of business that you will operate like a start-up, your company manages an investment portfolio of multiple start-ups so you can place the student in one of the start-ups.
Searching for an Enternship
All available Enternships will be posted on Handshake. If you do not have an account yet, activate your account. To search for an Enternship, log into Handshake and use the keyword "Enternship" in the search bar to view the current opportunities.
Applying for an Enternship
To apply, follow the standard application process, which includes submitting your resume and any other required materials listed on the posting. Your expression of interest and application must include an essay that outlines what you will be able to contribute to the sponsoring organization, and how the Enternship will enhance your own entrepreneurship journey.
| If you are interested in an Enternship, your can improve your chances by participating in the E-Hub Incubator program. Given the dual goals of the Enternship program, the E-Hub anticipates that preference will be given to students who have participated in and are progressing in the Incubator program. |
Student (Entern) Responsibilities
The student, once hired as an Entern, is responsible for ensuring that they participate in the Enternship experience well and fully as laid out in their agreement with the sponsor. During this time, in addition to (a) the work tasks they will engage in as a part of the Enternship, and (b) the mentoring they will seek from the sponsoring company about their own startup, the students will also:
- Submit a weekly journal of activities (suggested length half-a-page each week)
- Participate in mid-summer email or phone call or zoom call discussions with the E-Hub or others at Bentley (if asked)
Sponsor (Company) Responsibilities
The sponsor, once they hire one or more enterns, is responsible for (a) ensuring that meaningful tasks and activities are assigned to the entern, (b) periodic mentoring such as discussions and guidance about the startup the entern is building, and (c) timely payment of Enternship wages to the student as laid out in their offer of enternship to the student. In addition, the sponsor will also:
- Submit monthly invoices to Bentley for reimbursement based on the cost-sharing agreement
- Respond to requests for feedback and progress from the E-Hub (if asked)
E-Hub (Coordinator) Responsibilities
The E-Hub will coordinate with internal stakeholders at Bentley (Pulsifer Career Development Center, Bentley Finance, and Advancement) to ensure that (a) the sponsoring organizations are supported during the posting of enternship opportunities, (b) the students are supported during the search and offer/acceptance stages, and (c) the ongoing enternships are monitored for both, the sponsor and the student. In addition, the E-Hub will also ensure that the cost-sharing reimbursement mechanisms (committed to the sponsor) are honored in a timely manner.
