Apply for impact internships

Why pursue an impact internship?

The Sorenson Impact Institute internship program guides students to be impact leaders in their chosen fields. We believe social impact is a growing field of study that affects every industry. Whether you are a graphic design student interested to apply your design talents to raise awareness of social causes or a finance major interested to apply capital to scale impact-centric organizations – a Sorenson Impact Internship will equip you with hands-on experience and connections with a wide network of impact professionals to prepare you for a career in impact.

Camron Zavell

Impact Investing intern

“There’s really not a better venture capital internship, where you are so engaged and you have so much autonomy over the work. There is a lot of accountability and ownership that interns are able to get here. If you take the initiative, you can take a deal from start to finish. That kind of experience is hard to come by.”

Anya Tiwari

Impact Finance for Translational Research intern

“I’m looking towards a future in Impact Finance. I didn’t even know that was a thing before Sorenson, and since I started, I’ve learned so much about it and how many opportunities there are.”

Delaney Gates

Operations intern

“My Sorenson experience has been unique in that I feel like I am more than just an intern. I’m treated as an equal and my opinion is truly valued. I take on projects that are important to me and get to see my ideas come to fruition with full support from the center. The genuine support and compassion I have received from students and staff has been unmatched!”

Koleton Miller

Impact Investing intern

“As a student, this is an experience that is really not available to you outside of the Sorenson Impact Institute. You’ll be amazed at how much you’ll be able to learn and how much of an impact you’ll make.”

JaNaya Reeves

Operations intern

“It’s not just about the work that you are doing, but it’s also about what Sorenson is doing for you. I don’t know of very many places that care this much about their student interns.”

Equity, diversity, and inclusion

Our internship program is inclusive and designed for equity. We value diversity and do the extra work to ensure it. Impact includes a more equitable world. The students in the program will be part of a diverse cohort with students from all over the country from different backgrounds and diverse fields of study.

Program requirements

Student impact interns are expected to be enrolled in school for the duration of the program and to commit to the following:

  • To think critically as you explore new concepts
  • Dedicate 20 hours per week to the internship program
  • Participate in the program for a minimum of two semesters
  • Attend team meetings every Friday morning

A day in the life of a Sorenson intern

Our students are gaining real-world experience while making a difference. See what it’s like to work for a team that is passionate about what they do.

Internship opportunities

Thank you for your interest in interning with us. We look forward to seeing your application. Please read each job description carefully and note that the application deadlines might be different for each internship.

Data Science Internships

Data Science Internships

We are open to applicants with an interest in data science but may not have been indoctrinated in a curriculum specific to data science studies. We encourage those with sound fundamentals in probability and statistics, programming, computer technology, engineering math, or have shown the ability to conduct quality research or developmental work in a quantitative field to apply.
Graphic Design Internships

Graphic Design Internships

The Sorenson Impact Institute is seeking student applicants to join the impact storytelling team as a graphic design student intern. Students have the opportunity to engage with real-world clients and develop as designers and storytellers while building their portfolio. Students will work with all focus areas in the Institute to connect with impact investors, governments, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and students.
Impact Finance Internships

Impact Finance Internships

Impact Finance student interns will support the Impact Finance team working to design innovative financing structures that better address social problems including: Pay for Success, Opportunity Zones, community development finance, and innovative finance among others. The team is highly collaborative and seeks to develop, pilot and scale new financial structures, models and products that are replicable and scalable to grow the impact finance market.
Impact Finance Internships: Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI)

Impact Finance Internships: Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI)

The Impact Finance student intern will work on this track specifically on supporting the Impact Finance team on their project to document and value Huntsman Mental Health Institute’s (HMHI) social and economic impact, and develop a monetization framework to capture the fiscal and, potentially social, benefits associated with the improvement of outcomes for HMHI’s clients and target population.
Impact Strategy Internships

Impact Strategy Internships

This position is tailored to students interested in social issues and public policy who will have the opportunity to work on a variety of government, foundation, and nonprofit consulting projects. Our student interns receive exposure to the most innovative tools being used to address social issues today, including Pay for Success projects, data-driven decision making, and performance-based contracting.
Innovative Finance for Translational Research Internships

Innovative Finance for Translational Research Internships

Impact Finance student interns will support the Impact Finance team working to design innovative financing structures that better address social problems including: Pay for Success, Opportunity Zones, community development finance, and innovative finance among others. The team is highly collaborative and seeks to develop, pilot and scale new financial structures, models and products that are replicable and scalable to grow the impact finance market.
Operations Internships

Operations Internships

The Sorenson Impact Institute is seeking student interns to work with the operations team on a range of duties including student support and development. This position requires frequent interaction with key stakeholders for the student program including prospective student interns, current student interns, Sorenson Impact Institute alumni, faculty, and university staff.
Venture Capital (Impact Investing) Internships

Venture Capital (Impact Investing) Internships

The Impact Investing team at the Sorenson Impact Institute is seeking student applicants to join as a student analyst. The student-led investing team underwrites venture capital deals for investing clients (e.g., venture funds, foundations, family offices). Analysts accepted into the program will receive unparalleled venture capital experience by completing due diligence into early-stage start-ups and recommending investments to our clients.

Additional information

Internship info sessions

As a premier student internship program, our application process is competitive. To make sure your application stands out, we highly encourage you to attend an Info Session to gain insight about the hiring process before applying!

Sign up for notifications

Stay in touch! If you’d like to be notified when internship applications open, please fill out this Internship Interest Form.

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions regarding our internships or other student programs? Check out our Student Program FAQ!

At the Sorenson Impact Center, we envision an equitable and thriving world where everyone is valued, communities prosper, and the measured impact of our actions guides decision-making. Building the world’s premiere impact-focused student programming to train the next generation of impact leaders is central to achieving that vision.
We help realize our vision by integrating world-class academic programming and experiential learning into each of our practice areas. This unique program, which includes both theoretical education and practical learning experiences, promotes interdisciplinary engagement and trains students to approach their chosen fields with a local and global impact lens.
We do all of this while creating an inclusive, rigorous, inspiring, and fun environment to learn and grow.
University of Utah Strategy

The Sorenson Impact Center Student Program aligns and supports the University of Utah’s Strategy.

University of Utah Strategy

The Sorenson Impact Center Student Program aligns and supports the University of Utah’s Strategy.

Impact Definition

Assess the current impact measurement process rooted in performance to date. Clarify theory of change and define associated key performance indicators.

Title IX Statement

The University of Utah is committed to providing a supportive learning environment and fostering safe, healthy relationships among our students. To do so, the University will immediately and appropriately respond to reports of sexual misconduct, including the offenses of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are the most egregious forms of sex discrimination. University policy also prohibits discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.  These offenses are subject to the same accountability standards as offenses against individuals in any protected class and the same kinds of support are available.

When OEO receives a report of sexual misconduct, the university will respond by providing information about support and resources on campus and will also explain options for addressing the behavior including filing a Formal Complaint with the OEO under university policy and/or reporting to law enforcement.   Supportive Measures are available to those who experience Sexual Misconduct, whether or not you choose to file a Formal Complaint or report to law enforcement.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, we encourage you to report it to the Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action:

Sherrie Hayashi

Title IX Coordinator/Director

Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA)

135 Park Building

Salt Lake City, UT 84112

801-581-8365

oeo@utah.edu

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu.

More information about the University policies can be found at our website at oeo.utah.edu. Relevant University of Utah’s policies can be found at:

http://regulations.utah.edu/general/1-012.php

http://regulations.utah.edu/general/1-011.php

Impact Definition

Assess the current impact measurement process rooted in performance to date. Clarify theory of change and define associated key performance indicators.

Student Safety
Our student intern safety is important to us, as such we encourage student interns to use the following resources available to them through the University of Utah. 

In an emergency, dial 911 or seek a nearby emergency phone (throughout campus). Report any crimes or suspicious people to 801-585-COPS; this number will get you to a dispatch officer at the University of Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS; dps.utah.edu). If at any time, you would like to be escorted by a security officer to or from areas on campus, DPS will help — just give a call.

The University of Utah seeks to provide a safe and healthy experience for students, employees, and others who make use of campus facilities. In support of this goal, the University has established confidential resources and support services to assist students who may have been affected by harassment, abusive relationships, or sexual misconduct. A detailed listing of University Resources for campus safety can be found at https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/campussafety.phpOur student and staff well-being is key to your personal safety. If you are in crisis, call 801-587-3000; help is close. The university has additional excellent resources to promote emotional and physical wellness, including the Counseling Center (https://counselingcenter.utah.edu), the Wellness Center (https://wellness.utah.edu), and the Women’s Resource Center (https://womenscenter.utah.edu). Counselors and advocates in these centers can help guide you to other resources to address a range of issues, including substance abuse and addiction.

Student program updates

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