Career Investment Program

Architects reviewing models. The award-winning Cummings School of Architecture Career Investment Program provides financing for undergraduate and graduate student assistantships on-campus and professional internships off-campus with firms, organizations and government. The Cummings School of Architecture Career Investment Program links students, the university, firms, organizations, government and funders in a process that:

supports RWU educational goals balancing study, service and work experiences
establishes financial support for discipline-based assistantships and internships on and off-campus
advances relationships between the university and external partners for mutual benefit

The program makes use of catalytic start-up financial investment utilizing federal, university and donor funds in support of student work with faculty and experiences with external corporate, non-profit and government partners, and artists. Students take up compelling research and professional experiences as they transition toward advanced study and career placements.

Investment Opportunities

On-Campus Career Investment Opportunities include:

Undergraduate Work Study and other funded assignments with faculty and staff
Graduate Assistantship and other funded assignments with faculty, as well as with Roger Williams initiatives including the Community Partnerships Center and the Center for Macro Projects and Diplomacy

Off-Campus Career Investment Opportunities include:

Undergraduate Work Study and other funded assignments with leading firms in the region, and at sites in-between semesters where students live or may seek placements
Graduate placements and other funded assignments with leading firms and organizations in the region, the US and abroad

Funding and Compensation Levels

The Career Investment Program is funded at the undergraduate and graduate levels through Federal Work Study and university funds. Donor support of a Career Investment Fund enriches undergraduate and graduate student opportunities. Compensation levels are as follows:

Undergraduate students receiving Federal Work Study awards are paid at $11.50 per hour for up to 174 hours or approximately $2000 per year. 4 years of eligibility
Undergraduate 3^rd or 4^th year Career Investment Interns are paid at $11.50 per hour for up to 174 hours / approximately $2000 per year. Students who do not receive Federal Work Study awards are eligible one time while pursuing an undergraduate degree.
Graduate students are paid at $20 per hour for up to 200 hours or approximately $4000 per year. Funding is pro-rated when students may be enrolled part time.

Flexible Scheduling

Career Investment Program opportunities are available to students for Off-Campus placements and On-Campus placements from 1 July-30 June, on a fiscal year cycle. This calendar allows utilization of funds for student placements prior to and in-between the Fall and Spring semesters, which dramatically increases off-campus engagement possibilities. The calendar also makes placements possible either closer to home or at other sites nationally or internationally between semesters.