What are the dates of the Fellowship?
The 2020 Fellowship will begin on Thursday, June 4 and end on August 13, 2020.
Are the Fellows paid?
Yes. Fellows have historically received a minimum stipend of $2000, paid in three increments subject to normal taxation, for their summer-long service to the City of Providence. The program coordinators are also happy to work with students interested in receiving academic credit from their college or university.
How does the placement process work?
Applicants rank up to three departments on the initial application in order of preference. After reading through the applications, resumes, letters of recommendation and conducting interviews, the program coordinators match accepted applicants with placement based on stated preferences, personal background, work experience, skill set, fit, and the needs of city departments. Accepted applicants will be briefed on the placement site and summer projects before needing to accept a spot in the Fellowship.
What happens if I don’t receive a placement site I wanted?
To the extent possible, every effort will be made to match accepted applicants with departments that match their preferences, background, and skills. If an accepted applicant feels that the placement or project does not match their interests, they should notify the Fellowship Coordinator prior to accepting a placement.
What does a typical week look like for the Fellows?
The workweek can require between 35 to 45 hours of work from a Fellow, depending on the specific circumstances of the department or project. Every week of the program incorporates at least two “Lunch and Learn” speakers, periodic formal and informal check-ins with mentors, a proposed weekday outing for the cohort, and abundant weekend opportunities for culture and recreation in Providence and across New England.
What is the Lunch and Learn series?
The twice-weekly Lunch and Learn program gives Fellows and other Providence interns in municipal, state, and federal service the opportunity to sit-down in small, intimate settings with public officials. Past speakers have included the Mayor of Providence, the Governor and Lt. Governor of Rhode Island, both U.S. Senators, Rhode Island representatives in Congress, the Rhode Island Attorney General, the Providence Chief of Police, the Superintendent of Providence Public Schools, and more.
What is the mentorship program?
Before the first day of work, Fellows are paired with a City mentor based on shared values, backgrounds, and interests. Mentors offer Fellows unique, informal insights into the city, striking a work-life balance, and public service as a career. The mentor-Fellow relationship can include coffee meetings, lunch dates, and joint outings between the Fellow cohort and their collective mentors.
I’m not from Rhode Island. Am I at a disadvantage in applying?
Not at all. Fellows come from all over the nation and world. Each year, members of the cohort hail from local public colleges, private Ivy League universities, and everywhere in between. Some Fellows have never been to Providence before their first day of work.
I’ve never worked in public service. Can I still apply?
Absolutely. Fellows do not need to have any particular prerequisite work experience or specific academic course of study to apply, but must have a passion for public service. Each year the cohort brings a diversity of backgrounds, academic profiles, personal interests, and career aspirations to the program.
Does the Fellowship provide housing?
The Fellowship does not currently provide housing.
How will I get around Providence? Will I need a car?
Providence is eminently walkable and bikeable. Fellows living in Providence will not need a car to enjoy the summer. In addition, the City of Providence offers a free bus pass to fellows during the duration of the Mayoral Fellowship.
Who should I speak with I have additional questions?
Please contact Theresa Agonia, the Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Fellowship Coordinator, at with any questions not answered here.
