Blackstone LaunchPad
Blackstone LaunchPad supports career mobility through access to paid internships and professional development for first-generation and low-income college students. The program partners with leading nonprofits to train students in key career skills, then gives them access to hundreds of paid internships at Blackstone, Blackstone portfolio companies and startups.
How it works
Internships and Professional Development
Internships
Eligible students apply to internships spanning finance, engineering, data science, project management, marketing, sales, and more. Roles are available at Blackstone, Blackstone portfolio companies, and startups and small businesses through our nonprofit network.
Professional Development
Complementing their summer internships, students participate in skill-building workshops, inspiring speaker sessions and networking opportunities. LaunchPad bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, helping students strengthen professional skills, build social capital, and accelerate long-term career growth.
Our Partners
These nonprofit partners help train students in career-readiness skills and connect them with our network of resources including internships, mentorship and other career support.
These nonprofit and academic partners provide the infrastructure for internships through their portfolio and/or regional network.
“What an eye-opening experience. I grew as a student, leader and professional simultaneously – this was truly a summer of evolving. I am beyond grateful for all of the hands-on training and technical skills I attained in my field, as well as the network and support of peers I gained. Thank you for an outstanding and unparalleled summer with long-lasting memories and lessons learned!”
– Social media intern at HBCU Founders Initiative portfolio company Adaya Beauty, student at Clark Atlanta University
“Blackstone LaunchPad blends real-world exposure into industries with opportunities for professional development. [The skills training] emphasizes an innovative approach toward problems, reinforcing that novel solutions can emerge when combining creativity, strategic thinking and tenacity. It’s an invaluable blueprint for success that will remain instrumental throughout my career.”
– Philanthropy intern at the Gray Foundation, student at Baruch College
“I had a great time at Centric Brands, a Blackstone portfolio company. I was able to apply everything I learned in school in a professional setting, where my colleagues were so supportive and collaborative and answered any questions we had. My project group won the Capstone Project with our research on AI and its integration within the company – this was the cherry on top.”
– Accounting intern at Blackstone portfolio company Centric Brands, student at College of Staten Island