Student program FAQ

Is the Sorenson Impact Institute part of the University of Utah?

Yes, we have been part of the David Eccles School of Business since 2001. You can read more about our history here.

Is the Sorenson Impact Institute a non-profit organization?

Since we are part of the University of Utah and the UofU is a non-profit organization, that makes us a non-profit organization.

Where do I apply to intern at Sorenson Impact Institute?

You can submit your application on our applications page.

Are there any internships open now?

We open internship applications about three times a year (2-4 months before the beginning of the semester). You can check out our application page to find out when applications are open.

How long does it take once I submit my application?

The hiring process can take anywhere from 1-4 months. We spend the first months doing outreach – this is the time when the applications are open and we are collecting applications. Once the application closes then it takes 2-4 weeks to review the applications, select top candidates, and perform interviews. Once you have been interviewed you will hear back from us within 1-2 weeks. Your first date will start 2-6 weeks from the day you get an offer letter.

Are the internships open to students only?

Yes, you have to be a registered student attending a U.S. University while living in the U.S. to be able to do this internship. Students from universities outside of the U.S. will not be considered. You can do this internship in your last semester and commit to one more semester after graduation. Recently graduated students can apply to our full-time staff positions, you can see the open positions here.

Do you hire international students?

We do hire international students on a J-1 visa. The student must be physically in the U.S. while participating in the program and be enrolled in a U.S. University to be able to participate in the program. The international student must have permission from their International Student Services office at their institution/university to be able to work in the U.S. and this type of internship. Some International Student Services offices exclude unpaid internships which means that you may not be able to participate in our program.

Would I get paid for this internship?

All internships but the Impact Investing internships are paid. You can see the internship (job) description for hourly pay details.

Can I do the internship for credit?

Yes, you can do UofU credit or if your university offers a credit internship, we can work with them so you can receive credit for interning with us.

How many hours would I need to work?

The maximum amount of hours you will work per week is 20. If you are already employed at the University of Utah – you cannot work more than 20 hours per week combined.

You require a 2 semester commitment. What does that mean?

Our semester run along the University of Utah’s academic calendar so our calendar is as follows:

  • Fall semester: August-December
  • Spring semester: January-May
  • Summer semester: May-August

A two semester commitment will be as follows:

  • Fall + Spring: From August until May
  • Spring + Summer: From January until August
  • Summer + Fall: From May until December
How flexible would my schedule be?

Since these internships are hybrid and  remote, you can have a relatively flexible schedule. You will be able to enter your availability into your calendar to work around your school schedule, and can also let your manager know when you can and cannot work. Some meetings are mandatory to attend.

What would my day-to-day responsibilities look like?

Responsibilities vary depending on your position, and can include anything from meetings to research, doing presentations or creating a financial model, editing a video to shooting a film. If you have more questions about each internship you can go to the overview of the positions or click here. Each internship (job) description provides a thorough responsibility description.

What kind of projects would I be working on?

The Sorenson Impact Institute acts as a project based consulting firm working with all sectors (non-profit, private, and government organizations), the internship (job) description explains the type of skills you will be using but the project may vary. The Impact Investing team works with different funds and with a vast range of types of businesses.

How often would I have meetings in person (if I live in Utah)?

The quantity of in person meetings also depends on your position and which team you are on. Since this is a hybrid/remote internship, most meetings will not be in person or will have online meeting options. It’s a great question to ask during your interview.

How can I make my application more competitive?

Be sure to prepare a resume that aligns with the internship description. Answer all the questions in the application and make sure to upload the collateral we request (writing sample, cover letter, portafolio, etc.) If you do not get an interview, your application is probably not competitive. If you got an interview but did not get the internship it is probably because other candidates had more experience than you. You can always request feedback once the semester has started.

What is your acceptance rate?

Every semester we receive anywhere from 200-300 applications from students from all over the U.S. We hire the best candidates based on their skills and fit for projects and the center. The average acceptance rate is 5-10%.

Where is the Institute located on campus?

The Sorenson Impact Institute is located at 85 Fort Douglas Blvd building 602, Salt Lake City, UT 84112. It is east of the University Guest House. The Institute will have its own building starting in the fall of 2024 and will be located east of the Lassonde building. Construction for the new building will begin in September of 2022. The Impact Investing team has its office on the 5th floor of the David Eccles School of Business, located at 1655 Campus Center Dr. Salt Lake City, UT. 84112

What are the Friday Fellows meetings?

The Friday Fellows meetings are biweekly meetings on Fridays from 10:00 am to 11:00 am MST. These meetings are a place for student interns to build community with each other and to learn more about social impact, and their role at the Institute. Impact Investing interns have similar mandatory meetings every Friday from 9am-11am where students get to pitch their investment memos.

How big are the teams?

The size of each team varies by department. You may work in a team of two or a team of 7.

Why do you request a case study?

The type of work we do requires students to be resourceful, have highly critical thinking and analytical skills, while navigating ambiguity well. The best way to gauch those skills are through case studies.

How long would my interview be?

The interview will be 20-25 minutes long and you will have 5-10 minutes to ask any questions.

What is social impact?

Social impact is a very diverse topic that can be hard to define. According to Duke’s Career Hub, social impacts are “any significant or positive changes that solve or at least address social injustice and challenges.”

Do you offer info sessions?

Yes, you can check our “student program” website to find out when our next info session will be.

University of Utah Strategy

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

University of Utah Strategy

The Sorenson Impact Institute 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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