Internship Program
Internships are a great way to gain practical work experience and an opportunity to evaluate a specific profession without a long-term commitment. Internships are generally short-term,
voluntary or paid, and may lead to a full-time position upon graduation. The Career Development Center's Internship Program allows you to receive elective credit for your internship
experience and provides you with resources to search and secure valuable internship opportunities.
Getting Started in the Internship Program:
- Who is eligible?
- Why should I participate in an internship?
- What are the advantages of being in the Internship Program?
- Tell me more information about the Internship Class.
- Need additional assistance?
Getting an Approved Internship:
- How do I find an internship?
- What qualifies as an internship?
- What if I already have an internship, but I want to receive course credit?
- What are my rights and responsibilities?
Other internship options:
- Department-based Academic Internships
- Internships without course credit
Internship Program Events and Contest
- Internship Week
- Internship Essay Contest
Career Development Center Disclaimer
Getting Started in the Internship Program:
Who is eligible?
- You must be at least a second semester freshman and NOT a last semester senior
- You must be currently enrolled at CSULB and have a minimum GPA of 2.0
- You must enroll in an internship course the semester your internship is in progress. Summer interns must take their internship course in the fall.
- International Students please review the Internship
Procedures for International Students
Why should I participate in an internship?
For many employers, good grades and the right college major are just not enough. They seek employees who have paid their dues in the working world. Some of the most important
benefits to students include:
- Career-related work experience for your resume
- An opportunity to evaluate a specific career without committing yourself long-term
- Networking,
- An introduction to workplace situations not typically found in classroom experiences
- A place to evaluate some of your own work skills and preferences.
What are the advantages of being in the Internship Program?
- Quality Control: All internships are approved by the Internship Coordinator to ensure a valuable work experience.
- Goal Setting: You and your employer will create a learning contract to define the outcomes of your internship experience.
- Evaluation: At the completion of your internship you will receive feedback from your employer regarding your work performance.
- Support System: You have access to the Internship Faculty Member, the Internship Coordinator, and the Internship Advisors to assist you with problem solving and communicating
with your employer.
- Academic Credit: You will participate in an internship course and upon completion receive 3 additional units toward graduation.
Tell me more information about the Internship Class
The internship class:
- Gets you 3 units closer to graduation.
- Only meets about 5 times per semester.
- Allows you to reflect and discuss issues occurring at your internship site.
- Provides documentation for your internship, which assists you and your employer in defining your goals and objectives for the experience, and providing you with structured feedback
from your supervisor.
- Classes for Approved CDC Internships and Professor
Contact Information.
Need additional assistance?
- Visit the Internship Office located in the Career Development Center (Brotman Hall 250).
- Complete our on-line Internship Program Help Form
- Drop-In advising is also available in the Career Development Center.
Getting an Approved Internship:
How do I find an internship?
Start with BeachLINK
- Create a resume. (Resume workshops and
Resume critiques are available in the Career Development Center.)
- Log on to BeachLINK, create a profile, and upload your resume (Documents section).
- Click on the Jobs/Internship tab to search for internships.
- Once you have applied for an internship, you will be contacted at the discretion of the employer.
- If you are not contacted by the employer within 2 weeks, or if you cannot find an internship you are interested in please contact the Internship Program Office for additional
assistance at (562) 985-8463.
What qualifies as an internship?
Internship Description:
- Internship positions should provide student interns with pre-professional activities similar to that of a new entrant in the field. The position should allow the intern to use
classroom knowledge and provide hands-on experience.
- Positions must be directly related to a student's academic major and/or career goals.
- Clerical or non-professional duties must be limited to 20% or less of the overall tasks.
- Positions must be in a supervised environment.
- All internships are subject to approval by the Internship Program Coordinator.
Length:
Typically, the length of an internship is one semester. An internship requires you to complete a minimum of 120 hours during the duration of the internship.
Work Hours:
Students may work up to 20 hours per week at the internship site during the regular semester and up to 40 hours per week during summer, holidays and breaks. Each student and employer
will work together to agree on a work schedule needed to complete the required number of hours. Scheduling may be flexible, depending on the needs of the student and the employer.
Pay or Unpaid:
Internships may be paid or unpaid depending on the needs of the industry and other considerations. Usually unpaid internships are generally restricted to non-profit organizations
and the entertainment industry.
Course Credit:
All participants of the Internship Program are required to enroll in a Career Development Center Internship Course. Review the Career
Development Center’s internship courses.
What if I already have an internship, but I want to receive course credit?
Please contact the Internship Office to obtain a Self-Placed Internship Packet. Once the internship packet is filled out and returned to the Internship Office the Internship Coordinator
will review your internship to ensure that it qualifies for the Internship Program and connect you with available internship courses
What are my rights and responsibilities?
You are responsible for:
- Fulfilling contracted duties, time and duration commitments, and acceptance agreements.
- Conducting yourself in a professional manner, including maintaining cooperative relationships with internship program staff, completing required paperwork accurately and on
time, and supporting and following program rules, procedures, and policies.
- Attending all weekly supervision meetings and required training meetings.
- Working within the limits of your skill and training and handling duties and employment responsibilities by consulting your supervisor and other appropriate personnel in a timely
manner.
- Maintaining a daily log of hours as required by the internship program. Student interns must be employed for a minimum of 120 hours during each internship placement.
You have a right to:
- An accurate description of internship activities and time commitment that will be honored by the employing organization.
- Expect reasonable accommodations by an employer for documented disabilities in accord with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Have direct supervision and training by qualified personnel at the employing organization.
- Have any change in scheduling and work assignments clearly negotiated among you, the placement, and the internship program.
- Ask for a review by a supervisor of all completed projects as assigned.
- Know about safety policies and procedures in place to protect you. This may include, but is not limited to, such matters as handling of hazardous chemicals, earthquake procedures
and evacuation procedures.
- Be safe from sexual harassment or discrimination.
- Have, in writing, employer policies regarding sickness, vacation, and personal leave.
- Have, in writing, established procedures through which complaints about the internship or organization personnel can be resolved.
Other internship options:
Department-based Academic Internships
Contact your major advisor in your academic department to discuss possible internship courses.
Internships without course credit
Not all internships require course credit. Internship Advisors and Career Counselors in the Career Development Center (Brotman Hall 250) can assist you in searching for valuable
internship opportunities.
Internship Program Events and Contests
Internship Week
Each Spring Semester the Internship Program hosts Internship Week, a weeklong event filled with workshops catering to students searching for internships. Employers are invited
from various industries to share their internship opportunities.
Annual Internship Essay Contest
The annual Internship Essay Contest is an opportunity for you to win up to $700 and be recognized at an award reception in front of your family, friends, faculty, and employer.
Career Development Center Disclaimer
Career Development Center at CSULB itself does not control the way in which this educational opportunity is structured or operates on a daily basis. In granting recognition for
this internship, the University affirms that, to the best of its judgment, the experience is an appropriate co-curricular option for students seeking work-related experience to
enhance curricular learning, but makes no other assurances, expressed or implied, about wages, travel and living arrangements made by the student and employer.
The Career Development Center at CSULB does not knowingly approve internship opportunities which pose undue risks to their participants. However, any internship or travel carries
with it potential hazards which are beyond the control of the University and its agents or employees.
