This summer, 44 Middlebury students interning with 28 different organizations are gaining hands-on experience, building professional skills, and contributing meaningfully to communities across the state through the MiddWorks for Vermont Summer Internship Program.
On July 21, 2026, MiddWorks interns and their supervisors gathered at the Kirk Alumni Center for a morning of reflection, conversation, and connection. Hosted by the Center for Careers and Internships (CCI), the event brought together students and employers to explore the unique opportunities and challenges of living and working in Vermont and to celebrate the learning and growth students have experienced this summer. The event featured a presentation from Kevin Chu of the Vermont Futures Project, who spoke of the state’s need for more young people to help ease the demographic challenges it’s facing. Kevin presented an optimistic pitch tapping into the power of community to expand housing and opportunity and ensure a bright future for Vermont.
Learning by Doing: Students Build Skills Through Real-World Experience
MiddWorks for Vermont gives students the opportunity to experience Vermont beyond the classroom while gaining valuable professional experience with organizations that are shaping Vermont’s future. MiddWorks is a reflection of Middlebury College’s commitment to our home state through partnering with purpose-driven organizations working to build a culturally vibrant, environmentally sustainable, civically engaged, healthy, prosperous, and equitable Vermont.
During the July gathering, interns not only reflected on the professional competencies they developed like communication, leadership, and adaptability, but they also shared a deeper understanding of how their work is shaped by the unique Vermont context, often at the local community level.
Jeffrey Lewis ’27, who is a Vermonter, said his internship with Vermont Futures Project, “matters because it has given me the opportunity to learn about and make a real impact on a place that I truly care about, applying the skills I’ve learned at a Vermont institution to give back to the state.”
Rachelle Talbert ’28 interned with the Addison Independent and says, “I’ve realized that local newspapers are often the bridge between the over-exerted local government and the people … the local newspaper keeps people connected to their communities and political system.”
Max Blumenthal ’27 observed of his role that, “Town Hall Theater is a living breathing reflection of Middlebury’s needs, curiosities, and interests – and my challenge here has been how to bring my college student perspective to the table and augment that reflection.”
Mary Bosco ’29 says running ACORN’s CSA pick up has “deepened my sense of community here in Middlebury.” She’s learned, “more about all the food being produced in western Vermont, not just the produce being grown, but the things Vermonters turn them into on a local and sustainable scale, like flour or soda.”
Thank You to Our Vermont Employer Partners
The conversations among employers in the room highlighted a shared commitment to investing in emerging professionals and creating pathways for students to engage with the state’s future.
MiddWorks for Vermont would not be possible without the dedication, mentorship, and partnership of organizations across the state. CCI extends its deepest gratitude to the employers who welcomed Middlebury students into their workplaces and provided meaningful opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow.
“Students frequently spoke about the opportunity to work on projects with visible impact,” said Jill MacArthur, Associate Director for Internship Programs. “Thanks to the mentorship and trust of their supervisors, many interns were able to take ownership of meaningful work that helped them gain insight into both the day-to-day operations of their organizations and the broader context of their work in Vermont.
Thank you to the following organizations for supporting MiddWorks interns this summer:
- Addison County Chamber of Commerce
- Addison County Relocalization Network (ACORN)
- Addison Independent
- Beyond the Page (including BreadLoaf Housing)
- Climate Economy Action Center of Addison County
- Eastview at Middlebury
- Green Mountain Care Board
- Henry Sheldon Museum
- Lemon Fair Insect Control District
- Middlebury Area Land Trust
- Middlebury Institute of International Studies
- Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival
- Middlebury Regional Emergency Medical Services (MREMS)
- New England Review
- Seven Days Vermont
- Shelburne Farms
- Shelburne Museum
- State of Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
- The Nature Conservancy
- Town Hall Theater
- Trout Unlimited
- U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)
- University of Vermont Health Network
- Vermont Arts Council
- Vermont Futures Project
- Vermont Mountain Bike Association
- VTPrivateye
- Willowell Foundation
Building Vermont’s Future – Together
MiddWorks for Vermont represents what experiential learning is all about: connecting students to practical learning experiences that utilize their strengths to further develop their transferable skills and inform their career interests. The MiddWorks program is a network of learning, mentorship, and collaboration that extends beyond a single summer. As students return to campus, they bring with them new skills, perspectives, and connections, continuing the ripple effect of experiential learning throughout the Middlebury community and beyond.
Interested in exploring experiential learning opportunities? Visit the Internships Gateway to discover internships, funding opportunities, and ways to connect your interests with meaningful work.
