Internships in the Valley
PROGRAM 2023-2024
We help you make your dream internship in the US a reality.
Spring application deadline: 15 April 2024
An internship program designed to secure you the internship of a lifetime.
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Personalised support
We provide resources, you apply to internships, and we guide you throughout the process to make it a success.
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US-wide internships
You immerse yourself in American culture and experience what it feels like to live and work in the US.
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Tailor it just for you
You decide on the start date and duration together with your internship company.
What’s changed from last year?
Our program is growing and evolving.
We now focus on providing ample resources and personalised guidance to help you through your internship search. We’ve also expanded to offer our services in any city across the US. Think Silicon Valley and beyond!
We will continue to propose select candidates to our talent partners as we see fit. This will depend on your application, relevant skills and competencies, LinkedIn profile, as well as your active participation in our program.
About the application
We want to make your application a breeze. Below you’ll find details about the entry requirements, supporting documents for your application, and more about our application & matching platform.
Past deadlines:
15 December 2022
12 April 2023
20 November 2023
Entry Requirements
Master’s/PhD student currently enrolled at a UNL-affiliated research university
or
Master’s/PhD student graduated within a year from the expected internship start date (as required by the J-1 visa)e.g. if you graduate 30 June 2024, then you must find an internship, sign a contract, obtain a visa, and begin the internship by 30 Jun 2025.
Minimum GPA of 7
Application Documents
To apply for our program, you must complete our application form which requires you to answer a few short questions describing who you are and what fuels your passion for finding an internship in the US.
You will also need to submit two documents (in PDF format):
Resume (max. 1 A4 page)
Here we are looking for a well-rounded individual with an entrepreneurial drive and innovative mindset. Please draft your resume according to US standards. Read here to find out more about what that means.
Transcript of records
Please provide the most recent copies of your academic transcripts. This is so we can verify that you’ve met the GPA requirement (minimum 7.0).
Timeline from start to finish
Securing an internship in the US is a lengthy process. Ideally, you want to submit your application for our program ~6 months before you plan to start your internship.
Your internship search will work in stages. For a detailed description of each stage, expand each section by clicking on it. As a heads up, you’re welcome to start your internship search before being accepted to our program.
1. Submit your application (1-2 weeks)
Applications to join our spring cohort will be open from 4 March to 15 April!
Once you hit submit, your application will be evaluated based on our application rubric. We first confirm that you’re eligible, then score you based on your motivation to secure an internship in the US, and your relevant skills / competencies. As a guideline, the higher your score, the more likely we are to suggest you to one of our talent partners. Ultimately, this always remains in our discretion.
2. Access to academy platform (1-2 weeks)
Expect to hear back from us ~2 weeks after the submission deadline. Successful candidates will receive an email with an access link to our academy platform which contains ample resources to help kickstart the internship search.
Our academy platform contains all the how-to's when it comes to searching for internships, applying to companies, building a US resume, preparing for interviews, and ultimately starting the visa application process.
3. Start your internship search (6 weeks)
We encourage you to start early, apply to many companies, and keep your options open. We’re talking 50+ applications! Stay motivated and don’t give up.
4. Prepare for interview rounds (2-3 weeks)
You’ll need to factor in multiple rounds of interviews and wait time to hear back from the company.
5. Finalize your contract (2-3 weeks)
Based on past intern experiences, contract negotiation and finalization can take a couple weeks.
6. Secure the J-1 visa (2-3 months)
Brace yourself for this final leap from signing your internship contract to having your visa in hand (yes, a physical copy indeed). In this period, you will be starting the visa process with the NAF, submitting official documents, booking an interview with the consulate, plus waiting in between.
If all goes as planned, it will take you around 5-6 months to have all the necessary documents to be ready to jet off to the US. This entails a signed internship contract and an approved visa.
Word of advice: Finding an internship in the US takes time. This is why we want to onboard you so early. For example, if you’re looking to do a summer internship, say starting in June, then it’s best to already start your internship search in January.
Application FAQ
> I cannot save my application entries. Am I doing something wrong?
You currently cannot save your entries in our application form. However, your entries will be locally saved on your browser for up to 15 days.
> How do I edit my application?
It is not possible to edit your application once you’ve submitted. However, if you’d really like to resubmit, you can start a new application form and submit again. We will consider your most recent entry.
> I'm an international student, am I eligible to apply?
Yes, we support both international and Dutch candidates who are currently enrolled, or have recently graduated, from a Dutch research university.
> Can I still apply if I'm a Bachelor's student?
Our program is tailored for master's students, PhD candidates, and recent graduates. However, if you’re currently completing your second Bachelor's degree or have extensive working experience, then we may still consider your application. Our focus is to find student talent with an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative drive! Send us an email if you're in this situation at internshipsinthevalley@vu.nl and we are happy to discuss what your options are.
> My GPA is below 7.0. Can I still apply?
Technically, a GPA less than 7.0 is below our eligibility cut-off. But if your GPA lies between 6.5 and 7.0 and believe you have what it takes to be part of our program, send us a motivation letter via email.
> How does a standard US resume differ from a European CV?
A US resume is limited to one page, does not include a photo or any personal information (age, gender, address, nationality), and includes a brief statement section that outlines your ambition and professional growth.
> What makes a LinkedIn profile eligible, and what makes it not?
We want to see that your LinkedIn profiles is filled out entirely (think photo, bio, education, work experience), and includes a good profile summary. It's a plus if you are connected to groups that match your interests and if you have personal work recommendations.
> When will I know if I'm part of the program?
Being a part of the program means you will have access to our academy platform. Within 3 weeks after the application deadline, you should receive an email from us to give you directaccess to our academy.
> What is the earliest start date for an internship in 2024?
As the average processing time of the J-1 visa can take up to 2.5 months, we expect the first internship to start around April/May 2024, at the earliest. For our spring cohort, expect the earliest start date to be around August/September 2024.
> What about potential COVID-19 restrictions?
The program's timelines are dependent on COVID-19 travel regulations, as stipulated by the European and US health and safety authorities.