SECU Public Fellows Internship Program
The Public Service Fellows (PSF) Program began in 2014 with support from the State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Foundation. Now the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program (PFI), the goal of the program is to foster workplace experiences for undergraduates at ECU while helping rural communities build professional capacity to address public issues. Since its inception, 176 undergraduate students have completed internships with 78 organizations located in 22 North Carolina counties.
The SECU Public Fellows Internship Program at ECU connects the university and regional communities through projects that address community-identified priorities. Undergraduate student placements provide opportunities for fellows to develop leadership, analytical, problem solving, communication and project management skills, as well as allowing them to network in professional settings.
Application Process & Requirements
Up to 20 students will be chosen each year for SECU Public Fellow Internships. Program participants will take part in 20 hours of leadership and professional development workshops in addition to the 330-hour PFI internship experience. Each student selected for the program receives a stipend up to $4,600.
Students will be expected to attend an orientation, several workshops, and present at a State Employees Credit Union Advisory Board meeting either in the summer or fall.
The SECU Public Fellowship Internship Program follows a multi-stage application process. Candidates must submit application materials for review and undergo an interview with community partner supervisors.
All students selected for the program must have undergraduate status and meet the following eligibility requirements by the internship start date:
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- North Carolina resident;
- Completed at least 60 semester credit hours;
- Have an overall 2.5 GPA; and
- Not graduating prior to internship end date
Student applications will be available in January 2025. Applicants must complete a PFI application and submit a resume to be considered.
2025 Internship Dates
May 19 through August 15, 2025
Video: Hear from Former Interns and Site Supervisors
SECU Public Fellowship Internship Site Consideration
Interested in partnering with ECU to host an intern?
To be considered as a site for the SECU Public Fellows Program, your place of business must be located in eastern NC and must be a unit of local government, nonprofit, public or private economic development fund, or education.
Each site is required to fill out an application to include an organizational description and a job description.
Site applications are due by 5PM on Monday, December 10, 2024.
All applications will go before a board for consideration. An email for site recruitment usually goes out in November or early December with final selection of sites being announced in mid- to late-January.
For examples of participating sites and job descriptions please click here. If you would be interested in joining the site recruitment email list, please send a message to communityengagement@ecu.edu.
