Intersections sponsors 10 paid internships during the spring semester and summer months for students to explore their interest in ministry.
Lay and Ordained Ministry
Individuals interested in lay ministry are placed in schools, hospitals, prisons, faith based non-profit, and in in their own faith community’s house of worship. Examples of lay ministers include musicians, campus ministers, youth ministers, hospital and prison chaplains, parish council members, directors of religious education, pastoral associates, teachers, and leaders of faith based non-profits or social service agencies. Lay ministers offer their personal gifts in service of their faith community and world.
Individuals discerning their call to ordained ministry are also invited to discern more closely this call through an internship.
Who?
Spring semester internships are open to any student, freshmen to seniors. Summer internships are open to students returning to BC in the fall as a sophomore, junior, or senior. Students must be on campus the semester prior to their internship in order to participate in the discernment process.
What?
A paid internship where you work and learn about ministry. Students with an internship during the spring semester work 100 hours and receive a stipend of $500. Summer interns work 300 hours and receive a stipend of $1750.
Where? Discerning your placement…
Spring semester internships are in the Boston area. Summer internships can be in your hometown, Boston, or another place where you feel called to minister.
To discern a fitting placement, you will meet with an Intersections staff member in the months leading up to your internship to help you decide where you will intern and what kind of ministry you will explore. Important considerations in the discernment process are your individual desires, personal gifts and talents, and how you feel called to serve the world. (See a list of previous placements for some examples.)
International Internship opportunities are also available for students interested in ministry outside the U.S. Intersections will pay for transportation to and from the placement and the summer stipend. Other expenses (visa, immunizations, and housing) are the student's responsibility.
When?
Spring Semester: January-April (100 hours)
Applications are available in September and due in mid-October. Discernment begins in late October. The internship begins after returning from winter break.
Summer: May-August (300 hours)
Applications are due after winter break and due January 31st. Discernment begins in March. The specific start date and schedule for the internship is negotiated with the placement. However, generally, internships begin in late May/early June and continue through mid-August.
How? The Application Process
Spring: Applications are available in early September and priority is given to applicants who apply by mid-October. Acceptances are made on a rolling basis.
Summer: Applications due after the winter break and due by January 30th.
Mentor
Each intern selects a mentor at his or her placement site and meets with this person on a weekly basis for an hour of reflection. This person walks with the intern and is an important source of wisdom and support through the internship experience.
Reflections
Spring Ministry interns meet monthly to reflect upon their placement and discuss the experience. Often, a guest speaker will come to share his or her own vocational journey. These meetings provide important opportunities to reflect on the internship and enjoy companionship with peers who are also considering a vocation to ministry.
Summer interns will respond to bi-monthly email reflections. This provides an opportunity to integrate the experience and hear from fellow interns who are spread across the four corners of the globe.
Retreat
Both spring and summer interns enjoy a culminating weekend retreat. The retreat is a time of prayer, discernment, and reflection. Interns are challenged to consider how they hope to integrate the experience with their everyday life and future plans.