Student organizations and clubs are available to all students at Bates College. If you’re interested in a group, visit their booth at the Activities Fair in the fall, look for posters announcing their meetings, or check the listings in Bates Today – the daily electronic campus newsletter, or Bates Engage. Feel free to attend an organization’s meetings; they’re always looking for members.

• The Bates Public Health Initiative (PHI) provides students with an opportunity to engage in public health outreach both on the Bates campus and in the surrounding area. PHI offers opportunities to volunteer at a local free clinic, engage in public health awareness campaigns, and invites guest speakers to campus. Contact: Margo Danahy and Kirsten Farhm (Co-Presidents).
• Bates Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a Maine licensed EMS service that provides emergency care to the Bates College community. All members are volunteers that have completed the Emergency Medical Technician course. An entirely student run service, Bates EMT’s volunteer their time to be on call and are ready to respond to any campus emergency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week when school is in session. Contact: Colton Sochia & Adelle Welch (Co-Chiefs) and Noah Jaffe (Membership Coordinator).

Purposeful Work Internship Program

There are multiple funded summer opportunities available to Bates students, including the Purposeful Work Internship Program. Through paid internships specifically designated for Bates students and through positions independently secured by students, participants in the Purposeful Work Internship Program will test their passions, build their skills, develop their networks, reflect on their learnings, and connect their experiences on and off campus.

Summer Opportunities

The following is a list of summer enrichment opportunities, organized by state, for students from underrepresented populations, disadvantaged backgrounds, and/or who identify as BIPOC. These programs provide a supportive environment in which to enhance your preparation for a career in medicine, dental medicine, research, and other health-related fields.

A separate list of programs is available for international students searching for similar opportunities in science and healthcare without citizenship requirements.

Finally, the following is a list of opportunities that do not target a specific population of students. Many institutions and organizations offer summer programs that incorporate clinical or research experiences, and many of these programs provide generous stipends to participants. You may wish to include these programs in your search.

The Purposeful Work Job Shadow Program involves a partnership between the Bates Center for Purposeful Work and Bates alumni and parents, as well as local employers, from a diverse range of industries and locations. Students from all four class years may apply to these job shadows during the Fall semester. Shadows take place anytime between December and May.

Local Healthcare Connections

• Volunteering at St. Mary’s & Central Maine Medical Center
• CMMC Family Practice Residency Program

Join a faculty research team or design your own project. Conduct research at Bates or with another institution. Contribute new knowledge and develop as a scholar. Get started on your thesis. Summer Research Grants and Fellowships.

The Harward Center for Community Partnerships offers summer and academic year opportunities for Bates Students.