Career and Internship
Career and Internship Services
The Office of Career and Internship Services empowers students to develop skills for lifetime career satisfaction. Career development programs and services and avenues of contacts with employers are provided to both students and alumni. Career awareness and planning begins during the freshmen orientation and continues throughout the student’s academic years. Students are provided with a four-year planner to guide the career planning process. Programs and services offered include:
- Individual career counseling to assist students and alumni with planning for their careers. Students learn how to identify their career interests, skills and values, explore and research occupations, choose a major/career, prepare for graduate and professional school, write effective résumés, learn interview techniques, and develop job-hunting strategies.
- Career information sessions on a variety of career-related topics are provided in classes.
- Professional, full-time, summer, part-time and temporary job listings and internship positions are posted regularly.
- Career and Internship Fairs are held in fall and spring. Students can meet with potential employers to discuss job and internship positions, learn more about their field of interest, and develop future contacts.
- Career books, guides, periodicals, and videotapes are available in Career and Internship Services.
- Special career events are offered throughout the year, including job search skills workshops, guest speakers and lunchtime recruiting. Recent offerings include a Graduate School Information Panel, a Business Etiquette Dinner, Senior Seminar on Job Search Strategies, an Academic Expo/Majors Fair and an alumni panel. Recent guest speakers have included a State Department diplomat, a representative from the Capital Fellows Program, and professionals from a variety of fields.
The Internship Program integrates students’ academic and career interests with hands-on work experience. It is a for-academic credit program whereby students can enhance and apply classroom learning in a work setting related to their major. Internships help students clarify and test their career goals, obtain hands-on work experience related to their major, gain professional contacts and develop self-confidence. Students gain the most benefit from their internship after completing some coursework in their major. Students should discuss their internship potential with their academic advisor and the Office of Career and Internship Services. Allow at least one semester to identify and plan for the internship.
To receive academic credit, students must meet with their advisor, complete the internship forms located in the Office of Career and Internship Services and register for internship credit prior to beginning their internship. A minimum of 45 internship hours must be completed for each 1 unit of credit; a minimum of 90 internship hours must be completed for 2 units; or a minimum of 135 internship hours must be completed for 3 units of credit. Units count toward graduation, and in some cases toward the major. Six (6) internship credits can be counted toward the degree.
Students receive a Pass/Fail Grade from their internship faculty advisor. To earn academic credit, students must complete the number of hours required for the number of units registered, maintain a journal, complete the mid-term evaluation, submit a paper, or give an oral presentation for the final and evaluate the internship upon completion.
