Early engagement programs
Each year, bp opens its doors to a new generation of high achievers through our early engagement programs
Applications for our 2023 early engagement programs are now open
HBCU fellowship program
At bp, we're investing in future talent by introducing our new HBCU fellowship program, providing students with scholarship funding, exposure to the energy industry and career development experience.
As part of bp’s HBCU Fellowship Program, Florida A&M University, North Carolina A&T University and Prairie View A&M University will each receive $1.35 million, covering five full scholarships per year at each school for three years – a total of 45 full scholarships during that period.
Students who successfully complete the program will be provided with opportunities for additional development, including internships. Scholarships will be open to all US students on each campus who have an interest in the energy sector, a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and are in good standing.
We are currently accepting applications, and students will be notified of a final decision in April.
To learn more about the fellowship program and to apply, please visit the links below.
North Carolina A&T University – coming soon
Finance & risk virtual bootcamp
The finance & risk virtual bootcamp program may be the perfect opportunity to learn about careers within our finance and risk group at bp.
About the program
Do you have a strong interest in the financial markets and trading, and are interested in a career in energy? Maybe you’d like insight into bp’s hiring process and how we seek out top talent across the country? If your answer to these questions is yes, the finance and risk virtual summer bootcamp may be the perfect opportunity for you. Designed exclusively for second year university students, this event will give insight into what an internship and career within finance and risk at bp could look like.
Highlights of the event include
- Exploration of bp’s finance and risk function like commodity risk, market risk, valuations, accounting policy, working capital, structured trade finance, credit risk and commercial development.
- Gaining experience through interactive presentations, discussions with leaders, Q&A sessions with current employees in the Graduate Development Program (GDPs) and hearing directly from the recruitment team on the application/interview process.
- Engagements with bp executives within finance and leadership development opportunities.
- Learning about the summer internship and graduate development program.
- Growing your network within bp program eligibility.
- Have a minimum cumulative 3.2 GPA.
- Have an expected graduation date between December 2024 and May 2025.
Program date
- This will be a virtual event beginning Monday, July 24th through Friday, July 28th | 10:00am to 1:00pm CST each day.
Future talent scholarship
At bp, our purpose is to reimagine energy for people and the planet. To succeed, we need to inspire and support the next generation of industry innovators. This is what our future talent scholarship is all about.
Open to 1st and 2nd year university students, our scholarship is a fascinating introduction to the energy industry. It will support your undergraduate progress, while opening your eyes to the full range of opportunities that our business and sector offer. You’ll also gain skills and knowledge that’ll help you apply for one of our internships in the future.
Selected scholarship winners will join a series of engagement events in the summer of 2023 – all designed to be a launchpad to our internships. Complete the program and you’ll be rewarded with $5,000 to help you through your university studies.
Becoming one of our future talent scholars could put you on a fast-track to a technical interview – getting you that much closer to an internship with bp.
Applications for our 2023 Future Talent Scholarship Program open February 1st and close March 31st
bp bridge program
Transform your future. It’s never too early to start thinking about your future – and at bp, our bridge program can help transform it.
About the program
This program aims to bridge the STEM gap between minority education and university whilst offering a scholarship with financial benefits upon completion. It will reduce social inequality by providing development, mentorship, and experiential learning to underrepresented minorities at a high school senior level in the communities in and around Chicago, Houston and Seattle. Here, you will receive the skills and tools needed to transition into university and beyond.
Application timeline and process
- Complete your application and written essay by June 2023
- Selected candidates are notified
- Students attend a virtual orientation session to discuss the program details
- Students attend the in-person bridge program (summer 2023)
- Students are awarded a scholarship after completion of the in-person program
- Students begin monthly professional development training and mentorship
bp trading & shipping sophomore experience
Do you have a strong interest in financial markets and trading? Are you interested in a career in energy? If your answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’, the sophomore experience program may be the perfect blend of your interests and an opportunity to learn about careers within trading & shipping at bp.
This program is designed exclusively for second year university students and gives a deep dive into the world of commodity trading in the energy industry.
About the programme
Through sophomore experience, you’ll experience the following:
- Exploration of bp’s energy marketing and origination, operations, analytics and trading culture
- Gain experience through trading simulations, case studies and presentations
- Growing your network within bp
- Engagements with bp executives and leadership development opportunities
- Learning about the bp summer internship and graduate development program
- After successful completion, sophomore experience participants will be eligible to submit early applications to the internship program. If qualified, you will be invited to the formal interview process
Program eligibility
- Have a minimum cumulative 3.2 GPA
- Have a graduation date of December 2024 or June 2025
- Be eligible to work in the US without work authorization now and in the future
Program dates
- The Chicago program will run from June 20-23, 2023 and the Houston program will run from July 18-20, 2023.
