Entrepreneurial Summer Program (ESP) 2012

Applications will be accepted beginning in January for summer 2012 internships. Deadline for acceptance into ESP is May 23, 2012.

Video from the ESP BBL - details on the programs and insights from MBA2 students who took part in 2011 (Access restricted, GSB community only). Also, a list of students and companies from prior years.

Introduction

The Entrepreneurial Summer Program supports GSB students who want to gain experience working at an entrepreneurial company during the summer. The ESP has 2 elements:

1. Program element:

  • Open to all returning Stanford MBA students working at entrepreneurial companies, regardless of whether you receive funding. If you would like to participate in the events, please email the CES at ces@gsb.stanford.edu.
  • Includes a send-off event (late May), several summer gatherings, and a fall wrap-up session.

2. Funding element:

  • If both the student and the company meet the requirements, the GSB can supplement the salary paid by the company to bring the student to a market wage.
  • Information on this page is relevant if you would like to apply for funding (supplemental salary stipend).
  • The intention of the program is to allow students to experience an entrepreneurial summer with an operational company that they might otherwise not be able to have.

The CES typically posts pre-approved positions starting in February, but students are also encouraged to find their own positions. Only first year students or returning dual degree students are eligible for the financial stipend; preference is given to those approved for financial aid by the GSB. The deadline for 2012 applications is noon on May 23rd. You must have accepted your offer and submitted all paperwork (company application, student application and copy of offer letter signed by both parties) by this deadline.

If you are a GSB student and would like to receive a perodic email listing ESP job postings, please visit http://lists.stanford.edu and subscribe to 'esp_updates'.

Now available: video from the ESP BBL from 2011 with MBA2s who participated (Access restricted, GSB community only). 

How do I find a suitable ESP job?

  1. From February on, to see company applications that have been pre-approved for ESP funds, go to the student sharing drive (T: drive), under the file folder: ESP Internships 2012.
  2. Go to the Special Internships page on MyGSB and enter My Career Dashboard.
  3. The CES will also send periodic emails of approved ESP opportunities to all returning studetns who subscribe to the esp_updates list.
  4. Remember, you can also source your own internship. This makes sense if you have a preferred industry or geographic focus for the summer. The Library has several ESP online resources as does the Career Management Center to conduct an independent search.
  5. The CES team, especially Lisa Sweeney and Sheryl O'Loughlin, are available for personalized counseling.
  6. You should then apply directly to the company - the CES does not get involved in "matching." Each company will conduct its own recruiting process.

How does the student funding application work?

  • Secure an offer from the company of your choice (you don't have to have accepted it), and THEN submit your student application.
  • If the company has not been pre-approved, you may submit the student portion of the application concurrently with the company application.
  • Complete the student portion of the application.
  • Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, from January 31, 2012 until 12:00 noon, May 23, 2012. Note that you need to have agreed your internship with the company by this date and submit all relevant paperwork (company application, student application, and offer letter signed by both parties).
  • Since funds will be awarded on a rolling basis, we may run out of funds prior to the May 23 deadline.
  • We give preference to students who are qualified for financial aid.

Once your position has been finalized and the company and student applications have been approved:

  • Submit to the CES a countersigned offer letter from the company.
  • Sign up for direct deposit in Axess (or, at the very least, update your mailing address) so that you receive your stipends promptly.
  • Work directly with the company to negotiate start date and logistical details.

What happens during and after the summer?

  • Participate in the send-off event at the GSB on June 6 from 10-1.
  • If requested, host a CES staff member for a summer visit.
  • If in the Bay Area, attend a mid-summer student and faculty gathering.
  • Complete an end-of-summer report.
  • Thank a CES donor at the end of the summer.
  • Participate in the wrap-up session to be held in October.
  • Provide feedback to the CES on your summer experience and the program.

Payment arrangements:

  • The company will pay you directly for its portion of the compensation.
  • The GSB will pay you directly for your supplemental funding in two parts, one in late June and one at the end of August.

Questions? Contact Lisa Sweeney at sweeney_lisa@gsb.stanford.edu or 650-723-0887.