FAQ’s
Can academic credit be awarded to the students involved in the program?
Academic credit for the NASCAR Diversity Mentorship Program is solely based on the discretion of the professors and faculty involved. Although the internship is unique in its short and condensed format, students often use their experiences as the basis for term papers and other academic projects. In many instances, students trade contact information with valuable professionals they meet and are encouraged to add their experience in the program to their resume’.
What qualifies a student as “diverse”?
For the purposes of the NASCAR Diversity Mentorship Program, the definition of a diverse student is any student who has a diverse ethnic background (Black/African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, Native American, Atlantic or Pacific Islander).
Does NASCAR have other internship opportunities other than the NDMP?
Yes, NASCAR has a summer internship program also dedicated to reaching out to diverse students. It is a 10-week, full-time, paid internship program that is designed to expose diverse college students to the many career opportunities within the motorsports industry. In addition to NASCAR, this program involves several NASCAR sponsors and licensees, NASCAR teams and tracks, and other motorsports-related companies. Over 170 interns from across the country have participated in this program, some of whom later accepted full-time positions in the industry. All the information regarding the program, including important application dates and deadlines can be found at www.diversityinternships.com.
What schools have participated in the NASCAR Diversity Mentorship Program in the past?
Since the NDMP began in 2008, colleges and universities from all across the country have participated in the initiative. Schools involved include: Clark Atlanta University, Arizona State University, Columbia College (Chicago), Delaware State, Florida A&M University, Morehouse College, Paul Quinn College, Cal State San Bernadino, and Virginia State University.
Does this program cost anything for the students involved?
No. In the week leading into the event the students are provided with a packet that contains all the necessities they will need for the program (credentials, parking passes, informational materials, maps, contact information, etc.). Students are only required to provide their own transportation to and from the event each day.
Many students have part-time jobs during the school year. How will that affect their ability to participate in the program?
One of the best attributes of the NDMP is that every race weekend is a different entity and has its own unique features. Every racetrack is different, every race market is different, and furthermore, every race schedule is different. For each event that hosts the NDMP, a customized weekend itinerary is developed to cater the students’ scheduling needs. A typical event weekend will request students to be available for two full days to experience the program.