By Joe Van Allen
I'm thrilled to announce that the 2025 Internship Photo Contest is now open for submissions! For over 10 years, Career Services at UMass Amherst has been hosting an internship photo contest for students of the University. Its purpose is to showcase the amazing work that our students do every year across dozens of industries. Whether you've done an internship, co-op, research, or other professional experience, we want to see you in action!
By sharing your internships (and by proxy your journey), you can help the next generation of UMass students learn what it looks like to do an internship and the difference it can make in their careers. We're so excited to see what you are up to, we're even including prizes for the top voted pictures!
Prizes include:
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$50 gift card as a top prize
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$25 gift card for second through fifth place
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Winners have their picture mounted on display in the UMass Career Hub
Past Winners:
Internship Photo Contest Submission Guidelines:
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Have someone take a high-quality picture of you at your internship. Previous winners are often actively working, have a company logo or mascot if appropriate, and/or doing something unique and interesting.
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You should be the focus! Generally, other people should not be included in your picture (especially children). Celebrities are okay, as well as people who have fully consented to be in your picture and to have it shared.
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Internships should have been engaged in between Fall 2024 through Summer 2025.
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Your submission must be turned in no later than Friday, September 5, 2025.
Advice for high-quality pictures:
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Make sure the camera is focused on you so that you have a clear picture
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Wipe off the lens with a dry cloth (microfiber if you've got it, a t-shirt will suffice in desperate times)
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Rooms with bright lights, or photos taken outdoors, often lead to the best quality photos due to ample lighting
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Typically higher-quality pictures take up more memory (that's a good thing in this case!). Pictures from your phone or a camera will usually be higher res than pictures posted on social media or sent via e-mail.
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YOU are a part of what makes pictures high-quality. Smiles, energy, enthusiasm, poses, and creativity all count for extra points. We let you submit up to 5 pictures, so feel free to submit a few.
Eligibility for Participation:
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You must currently be or have been a UMass Amherst student during the window of the contest (September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025)
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You must have completed an internship, co-op, research, or other field experience during that same window of time
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Field experiences can be paid or unpaid, as well as credited and not for credit
All participants agree to the publication of their name and photo on UMass Amherst publications, posters, websites, social media, and marketing materials.
Joe Van Allen is the Senior Data Analyst and Associate Director of Communications at the UMass Amherst Career Development and Professional Connections Hub. He's passionate about connecting students with opportunities that showcase their skills, and bridging the gaps between what someone wants to do and their current experience. And spreadsheets - he can't get enough of spreadsheets.