Become a Fellow

There are many benefits to becoming a fellow, from paid internships to valuable connections and more. Read on to learn what past fellows say about their experience, and how the fellowship is designed to maximize its impact.

The S Jay Levy Fellowship has been a truly life-changing experience for me, both personally and professionally. Through my internship with CUNY’s College and Career Bridge for All, I had the chance to explore my passion for higher education and discover my own strengths. The fellowship also taught me the importance of valuing my personal brand and not settling for less than I deserve. Whether it’s keeping my resume sharp or my LinkedIn up to date, I've learned that amazing opportunities can come when you least expect them. I am deeply thankful for the unwavering support, mentorship, and opportunities that the S Jay Levy Fellowship provided, and I know these experiences will continue to guide me in my career and beyond.

— Sadia Alam

The mentorship, resources, and opportunities provided by the fellowship gave me the foundation to develop critical skills and professional connections. I believe this program can serve as a gateway for future students, helping them launch successful careers by offering invaluable support and guidance. It truly set me on the path to achieving my goals and can do the same for many others.

— Fardin Khan

The S Jay Levy Fellowship played a pivotal role in teaching me how to network effectively and guiding me toward opportunities that helped shape my interests and career path in International Relations. Knowing my passion for working within the United Nations, my industry mentor, Jennifer Oldfield, was instrumental in offering invaluable insights and advice on this field of work. She nurtured my enthusiasm by introducing me to my first UNGA side events and connecting me with colleagues in both New York and Nairobi in this sector. During my summer internship with ReaMedica in Kenya, our paths crossed again when she was also in Nairobi for business, allowing us to connect globally—a truly memorable experience. The fellowship provided me with a mentor who not only extended our relationship beyond the program but also challenged and supported me in equal measure. Now, after graduation, I have come full circle, working with the UN Foundation as part of the Global Partnerships and Engagement team—a testament to the lasting impact of the fellowship.

— Amelia Whitney

The S Jay Levy Fellowship’s itinerary was perfectly crafted to assist fellows in preparation for interviews, connected us with industry professionals, and aided us in our pursuit of career-focused internships. We had weekly seminars with industry professionals from various backgrounds that used real-life examples of obstacles they had to overcome in the workplace, giving us examples of how to overcome potential issues that we may face. This fellowship was quintessential in my early career development, teaching me invaluable lessons.

— Dylan Pantaleo

The most valuable component of the S Jay Levy Fellowship for me was the industry mentorship. Working closely with a mentor who had extensive experience in finance and economics opened my eyes to the various career paths within these fields. This mentorship provided not only professional insights but also personal guidance, helping me navigate my own ambitions in public service and law. Through regular conversations, I gained a clearer understanding of how economic policies impact society, reinforcing my desire to contribute meaningfully to these areas. The fellowship’s emphasis on mentorship, along with the relationships I built with peers, has been instrumental in shaping my professional path and personal growth

— Sun Wo Kim

The S Jay Levy fellowship has helped me grow personally and professionally. After the program, I felt more confident in myself and well prepared to handle any interview. I also had the opportunity to be a research intern at NYU Langone Health, where I contributed to research studies on headaches and migraines. Overall, I am thankful for the great experiences and support during my time as an S Jay Levy fellow.

— Fatoumata Sow

As someone who was new to the field of journalism, the fellowship guided me through the process of networking, interviewing, and getting placement in an internship. The fellowship helped me grow into my career. S Jay Levy opened a lot of doors for me and I will be forever grateful for that.

— Sajina Shrestha

The S Jay Levy Fellowship helped me launch my career, paired me with industry mentors and ultimately helped me land job offers from the likes of American Express and Amazon. I am grateful to the S Jay Levy staff and highly recommend the program. He is now paying it forward by being an industry mentor.

— Anthony Shalagin

​The S Jay Levy Fellowship has played a crucial role in my acceptance into a highly competitive MD/PhD program at University of Rochester and setting me on the path of my dream career. Through fellowship’s various professional development trainings, network opportunities, and summer research internship at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, I gained irreplaceable experience that made me stand out in the pool of highly successful applicants.

— Svetlana Markova

Program Components and Benefits

The S Jay Levy Fellowship for Future Leaders provides important experiences, access, and skills that help students successfully pursue their chosen professions. Practical on-the-job experience, advice from industry experts, professional development coaching, and engaging classroom discussions all come together to give fellows a valuable edge.

Become a Fellow
Summer Internship (June - August)

All S Jay Levy Fellows participate in a paid summer internship or research experience relevant to their academic major or career interest. The internship provides fellows with important resume-building experience that puts their classroom-learned skills to the test and facilitates their future full-time job search.

Become a Fellow
Industry Mentorship (Fall Semester)

Each fellow is matched with an accomplished mentor appropriate for the fellow’s chosen industry to directly provide practical advice, coaching, and support to help navigate professional challenges. Mentors can also help open doors to fellows, such as by facilitating valuable industry introductions. Many mentor/fellow pairs choose to stay connected long after the program has ended, highlighting the benefit of these relationships.

Become a Fellow
Professional Development Course (Fall Semester)

Well-written resumes, strong interview techniques, and foundational workplace skills help all S Jay Levy Fellows stand out. This vocational, career, and self-development course has long-term benefits, helping ensure that all fellows have the tools necessary to successfully obtain and execute both their internships and future full-time roles.

Become a Fellow
Peer Mentorship (Spring Semester)

In addition to working with experienced Industry Mentors, fellows simultaneously benefit from Peer Mentors, who are S Jay Levy Fellowship Alumni who have chosen to stay involved with the fellowship. Peer mentors can strongly relate to current fellows’ experiences, and share key advice that resonates.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants to the S Jay Levy Fellowship must satisfy all the following eligibility criteria:


Must have a GPA in the top 20% of their school or division at CCNY.

Must have an anticipated graduation date not earlier than the Spring semester after the summer internship.

Must be able to fully participate in all of the program’s components (including coursework, mentoring, and the internship).

Must have strong career aspirations, a determination to succeed, and core values in alignment with the spirit of the S Jay Levy Fellowship.

How to Apply

Eligible candidates for the S Jay Levy Fellowship are invited to apply during the month of January for the following academic year. If you are an eligible candidate, you will receive an invitation email, as well as a phone call with information about the program, in early January. The program will also hold an in-person and a remote information session for prospective applicants in late January/early February.

The deadline for applications is February 16th. Applicants must submit:


A completed copy of the application form received in the invitation email

A 500-word personal statement describing your long-term career aspirations

A transcript of your grades at City College (unofficial version is fine)

Two short (300-word) essays describing: a) your ideal internship and b) your view of the role of ethics in the workplace

An updated copy of your resumé