Glossary

Types of Opportunities

Volunteer: No financial compensation offered.

Paid: Financial compensation offered. Typically limited to 8-10 hours per week maximum during academic semesters.

Academic Credit: For-credit (uncompensated) work available during the 12-week fall and/or spring semester(s) or 3.5-week Winter Study term.  Typical expectations are 4-6 hours per week for 10-12 weeks during semesters, 30-40 hours per week for 3.5 weeks during Winter Study.

Summer Internship: Expected time commitment of 30-40 hours per week for 8-10 weeks typically mid-June through most of August.  If no compensation can be offered by the host, funding may be available through the Alumni Sponsored Internship Program of the Williams Career Center, or from grants and fellowships from other campus sources. 

Summer Research: Self-directed research conducted by a Williams student under the guidance of a faculty member.  Funding is available to students through Williams summer research fellowships, notably, the Sentinels Summer Research Fellowship Program which supports projects related to any level of U.S. public policy, and other fellowships offered by the Office of Special Academic Programs and the Office of Fellowships.

Short-term Summer Project Work: Smaller scale 3-4 week project work such as website revision, video public service announcements, or special event support is provided to nonprofits by students engaged in the Center for Learning in Action Community Outreach Summer Fellowship Program.

Time Frames of Involvement

Single Event: Occurs on a specific date and time, typically a one-time commitment.

Open Drop-In: Students are welcome to show up unannounced during pre-determined open times for volunteer opportunities.

Recurring (non-fixed schedule): Recurring opportunity with advance scheduling required, but not necessarily on a fixed weekly basis.

Regular (fixed weekly schedule): Student committed on specific days at specific times every week.  Participation expected throughout fall (Sept-Nov) and/or spring (Feb-May) semester(s).  Note that, due to the academic calendar’s exam and break schedules, Williams students typically become less available from Thanksgiving through the end of January (with the exception of Winter Study arrangements), again for the last week of March through first week of April due to Spring Recess, and after mid-May.

Winter Study: 30-40 hours per week for 3 weeks in January.

Summer Internship: 30-40 hours per week for 8-10 weeks from June through August.

Summary Information Examples

Nature of work: Ongoing program, new initiative, research project, event planning, development outreach, website updates, graphic design work, etc.

Prerequisites for participation: Required or desired skills or experience (e.g., Excel, WordPress), certifications or training (e.g., CPR, First Aid, lifeguard), documentation (e.g., CORI check), physical demands of job, etc.