Hands-On Experience With Seneca Holdings’ Summer Internship Program

10-week, full-time paid internship (40 hrs/week)
June 1 through August 7, 2026 

About the Program

Seneca Holdings operates a diversified portfolio of businesses that provide financial and non-financial support to the Seneca Nation. Guided by the Seventh Generation Principle, our work directly supports the mission to diversify income, strengthen the Seneca Nation’s economy, and sustain its people, lands, and prosperity for generations to come.

The mission of Seneca Holdings’ Native American Internship Program (NAIP) is to provide meaningful and educational opportunities to Native American students through hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional development. We strive to build an individualized program that meets the intern’s career goals and interests, developing relationships and providing experience to prepare individuals for the workforce. Over the past four years, Seneca Holdings’ growing summer internship program has hosted more than 20 interns, and we maintain ongoing relationships with alumni through a dedicated program.

What You’ll Do / Roles

Interns may be placed in teams including, but not limited to:

• Corporate Development
• Finance & Accounting
• Business Development
• Federal Contracting
• Human Resources (HR)
• Legal & Compliance
• Information Technology (IT)
• Marketing & Communications

Program Features

• Mentorship & Shadowing: Every intern is paired with a mentor and engages in job shadowing. 
• Projects & Deliverables: Interns work on projects across the organization and collaborate on an intern group project.
• Small Business Administration (SBA): Interns connect with an SBA representative for an entrepreneurial education opportunity.
• Professional Development: HR and Talent Acquisition teams hold consultations with interns to build career skills.
• Washington, DC, Trip: The program includes two mandatory weeklong trips to the corporate office in DC — travel & housing are covered.

Eligibility & Requirements

To apply, you should meet the following:

• Currently enrolled in college (undergraduate)
• Interest in pursuing a career in business
• Preferred: Native American enrolled members or descendants
• U.S. resident
• Availability to participate in entire 10-week program

Application Process

A complete application includes the following:

1. Current resume (education, work experience, other relevant experience)
2. A copy of your most recent transcripts
3. A short essay describing your interest in the NAIP and how participation could support your career goals

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Deadline

March 1, 2026, for the 2026 intern cohort 

Details / Logistics

• Duration: 10 weeks — June 1, 2026, through August 7, 2026
• Workload: 40 hours per week, full-time
• Compensation: $17/hour 
• Travel: Two weeklong trips to Washington, DC, are required; travel & housing are covered.

Contact Information

For questions or more info, reach out to:

Rosanna Lepsch, Manager of Employee Experience
Email: rjackson@senecaholdings.com

Pierce Lukonaitis, Employee Experience Specialist
Email: plukonaitis@senecaholdings.com

FAQs

Q: What does remote internship work look like?
A: Interns will work remotely four days each week outside of the two DC trips and orientation week. Laptops will be provided to all accepted interns for the duration of the program; however, reliable home internet is required. Interns will be expected to be online during normal business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. Meetings are held via Microsoft Teams with camera on; therefore, an office-like space would be ideal.

Q: What type of projects will I be working on?
A: Each intern will have different projects based on their assigned home department. There will also be a group project and an individual project outside of department projects. Fridays will be an opportunity to work with your intern peers on the team project and individual projects.

Q: What is required for the mentorship program?
A: Interns will be provided with a mentor for the duration of the program and will meet once a week to discuss a variety of topics such as networking, career goals/objectives, work balance, industry research, etc. Talking points will be provided to interns to prepare for their mentorship meetings.

Q: What does the schedule look like?
A: For the first week, interns will meet in person at the Seneca Allegany Administration Building (SAAB) for orientation, with the exception of one day at our Williamsville office. In a non-travel week, interns will work remotely Monday through Thursday with their designated team. Every Friday, interns are required to be in person at the SAAB to participate in development day and work on team projects. Interns will be provided with a full 10-week schedule on their first day.

Q: What can I expect on development day?
A: Development day will consist of a variety of topics such as department deep dives (where you’ll learn more about team functions), financial literacy, public speaking, entrepreneurship, building confidence, and much more!

Q: Are the two Washington, D.C., trips mandatory?
A: Yes. Each trip is required as part of the program. During the D.C. visits, you will have an opportunity to visit sites that Seneca Holdings supports, such as the National Museum of Health and Medicine, the Capitol, etc. During the second D.C. trip, you will present your final projects and participate in career readiness workshops.

Q: What does travel and lodging look like for D.C. trips?
A: Local interns will travel as a group to D.C. via passenger van. There will be multiple stops for restroom breaks, snacks, and lunch. Out-of-state interns can choose to drive or fly. Upon arrival in D.C., you will check into the hotel and prepare for the week ahead. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will each involve different daily activities, including site visits and office days at our Chantilly office. Monday and Friday are travel days. Each day, interns will be provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Two chaperones will be present at all times.

Q: Can I take time off if I am unwell or need to attend a personal matter?
A: Yes, interns will be provided with 16 hours of paid time off to use throughout the program to attend to any personal matters.

Q: Do I get to choose the department I will work with?
A: Department placements are aligned with the intern’s career goals and current major. During the interview process, we will explore interests in detail to ensure that the department you will be working with meets those objectives.

Q: How does the interview process work?
A: Interviews will be scheduled after an application has been submitted. Applicants will meet with two members of the internship committee via video conference (Microsoft Teams or Zoom, depending on your preference). Plan for about 45 minutes, during which time you will hear more about the program details and expectations, as well as answer a series of questions about your experience, expectations, and goals for the program. Each intern experience is tailored to the individual. After the initial interview, applicants will have a secondary interview with a potential department leader to ensure proper placement.

Q: What is the difference between my department leader and my mentor?
A: Your department leader is someone who you will work with on a regular basis, Monday through Thursday. This person will provide you with your daily work objectives, goals, and projects. Your mentor is someone outside your department who has knowledge/experience in other areas of interest you may have. You’ll meet with your mentor at least once each week.

Q: Can I participate in the internship more than once?
A: Yes, as long as you are still a student pursuing your undergraduate or graduate degree, you can participate in the program multiple years. Prior interns who wish to participate must still apply and be selected.

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