A&S Program Gives Senior the Freedom to Take Unpaid Internship

URI encourages all students to dive into their field of study through an internship or hands-on learning experience. Lauren Juba ’25 was thrilled when she accepted a communications internship to gain experience in her field, but knew she needed to maintain a paying job to help cover the costs of school. Fortunately, Juba discovered that she could receive financial support from the College of Arts and Sciences during the duration of her internship.

Lauren Juba ’25 on the Kingston Campus

“The funding was extremely helpful because an unpaid, in-person internship presented financial challenges,” said Juba. “I was able to gain some experience in communications and public relations, and it helped me decide that I want a career in that field.”

Star Kids Scholarship Program is a nonprofit providing mentorship and resources to K–12 students in Rhode Island. Juba was responsible for developing social media posts, helping plan and execute events, and creating emails—skills that helped her build her portfolio to enter the workforce.

“I’ve always enjoyed my communications classes,” said Juba. “Managing the different responsibilities of this position drew on the lessons and skills from my classes.”

Experiential education through the College of Arts and Sciences complements lessons learned in the classroom and ensures students can translate their skills into a satisfying career path. The College’s career readiness initiative includes a fund that can help students who need to maintain paying jobs to cover the costs of school by giving them money during an unpaid internship. Internships are crucial to landing the right job after graduation—but accepting an unpaid opportunity is a barrier for many students. Contributions made to RhodyNow: College of Arts and Sciences play a role in this. Students like Juba can feel supported throughout their academic journey and leave URI with a strong foundation for their future.