Early this past summer, I had made peace with the fact that an internship was not in the cards for me. Thus, upon receiving an interview with the MLA for their internship through Sigma Tau Delta and then receiving an offer for the position, I was simultaneously stunned and ecstatic. Though, anxiety struck next. Would I be able to handle the duties assigned to me? Without any prior internship or professional experiences, would I be capable enough?
My worries were quickly assuaged in my first meeting with Janine Utell, the Associate Director of the MLA’s Academic Program Services and Professional Development department. Janine and I met twice per week to discuss my weekly to-do lists, and her guidance through this month-long internship was invaluable.
My first tasks consisted of readings to familiarize myself with both the MLA’s resources and the current state of humanities academics nationwide. By the end of the internship, I had conducted research on potential locations for future MLA Conventions and updated databases tracking past and possible future Convention speakers. During our first few meetings, Janine and I developed the project that would become the primary focus of my work during this internship: a research study of First-Year Writing requirements and courses across the country.
Hearing the words “research study,” I was initially intimidated by the prospect of building one from the ground up, as my research experience was limited to finding supplemental materials for essays. To start, I created research questions and utilized a spreadsheet to track our findings. As I researched universities’ First-Year Writing programs, my fascination with the topic deepened; I began expanding our spreadsheet, broadening the scope of the study, generating new questions and considering new avenues of research. I became immensely invested in the study, and I am so grateful to have improved my research skills through this study. Following this internship, I am more confident in my ability to research, as I have now learned the processes that work best for me.
My initial anxiety about the internship had stemmed in part from uncertainty about my own competency. I believed myself to be a strong writer and a detail-oriented person, but we all suffer from those occasional unwelcome thoughts that cause us to doubt our own abilities. However, if you are currently in the position I was in—worried about internship applications, steeped in a comparison mindset—do not stress. You are undoubtedly more capable than you may think. Understanding that I had the capability to achieve the goals presented to me, allowing myself to be confident in what I did and did not yet know, greatly helped me during this internship. There is no shame in not yet knowing how to do something. In each of my meetings with Janine, I always asked any questions I had, knowing that she and the Programs team would be willing to help me tackle any unfamiliar challenges that arose during my time with the MLA.
I also had the amazing opportunity to discuss my professional development goals with Janine and conduct informational interviews with members of the Programs, Outreach, and Research teams to learn about their experiences and respective roles at the MLA. Though I was nervous to conduct these interviews, I feel as though I have improved my communication skills and I am extraordinarily thankful to those who took the time to speak with me about their journeys and interests.
Ultimately, I will deeply appreciate this MLA Internship experience for years to come. I am thankful, too, to Sigma Tau Delta, as the opportunities presented to members, including internship stipends like the one I received for this experience, are invaluable. Opportunities such as this allow humanities students to pursue their professional development goals with lessened financial stress, fostering our community’s passion for all things English.
Allison Silver
MLA Internship Recipient, 2024-2025
Alpha Epsilon Alpha Chapter
The College of New Jersey, NJ
MLA Internship
Sigma Tau Delta encourages undergraduate student members with interest in working at a nonprofit to apply for the MLA Internship.
The internship opportunity will be held over six weeks (15 hours per week; total of 90 hours) from mid-June through late July. The intern will support professional development workshops for language and literature faculty and department chairs as well as research projects, contribute to the writing, editing, and producing of print and online publications, attend meetings, and work on various tasks, including outreach and database management. Depending on the experience and career goals of the successful applicant, other duties may be assigned.
In addition to these projects, the intern will spend some of their time with key MLA staff from other departments to learn about day-to-day MLA operations. MLA is a hybrid organization, so if the intern is not located in the New York City area, they must have access to a computer, video camera, and reliable internet connection. Interns located in the New York City area would be invited to work in the MLA office once a week.
Stipends from Sigma Tau Delta and MLA
- Sigma Tau Delta will provide a $1,500 stipend, paid through the MLA at the NYC minimum wage rate ($16.50/hour)
- The intern will also receive a certificate of participation.
Qualifications
- Strong writing and editing skills (English majors preferred)
- Detail oriented
- Flexible and adaptable to potential changes in schedule
- Experience and demonstrated success working in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally
- Ability to work in close collaboration with others
- Comfortable with approaching sources of information, asking questions, and quickly gathering accurate information
Eligibility
Applicants for the MLA Internship must be:
- an active student member of Sigma Tau Delta;
- pursuing an undergraduate degree; and
- a member of a chapter located within the 50 United States.
Members who have graduated in the fall semester or will be graduating during the spring semester are also eligible to apply.
How to Apply & Deadline
Applications for the MLA Internship are accepted through AwardSpring our website during the Spring Awards Cycle (March 16 – April 13, 2026, 4:00 p.m. CT).
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society, was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University. The Society strives to
- Confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies;
- Provide, through its local chapters, cultural stimulation on college campuses and promote interest in literature and the English language in surrounding communities;
- Foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language, and writing;
- Promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members;
- Exhibit high standards of academic excellence; and
- Serve society by fostering literacy.
With over 900 active chapters located in the United States and abroad, there are more than 1,000 Faculty Advisors, and approximately 9,000 members inducted annually.
Sigma Tau Delta also recognizes the accomplishments of professional writers who have contributed to the fields of language and literature.
