Internships
Internships are an important part of students’ experiential learning that helps build the necessary skills for a professional career. On this page you will find resources that will help you navigate what an internship is, resources to find internships, internship events, and scholarships for students completing internships.
Learn More About CDC Services and Hear Internship Success Stories
An internship is a form of experiential learning that offers meaningful experience in a professional setting related to a student’s field of study or career interest.
Benefits of an Internship
- Network with professionals in fields that interest you
- Gain relevant work experience
- Receive training that builds on knowledge learned in the classroom
- Develop skills that are highly valued in the workplace
- Acquire supervised practical experience in a professional field
- Build relationships and find a mentor
Types of Internships
- Part-time or full-time
- Paid or unpaid
- Semester or year-long
- In-person or remote
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Internship Standards
- The experience must be an extension of the classroom
- The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings
- The experience has a defined start and end date, job description, and list of desired qualifications
- There are clearly defined learning objectives
- There is supervision by a professional with expertise, education and/or professional background in the field
- There is routine feedback from the supervisor
- There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the employer that support the learning objectives
For more information on internship standards, review the NACE Position Statement on Internships.
Evaluating an Unpaid Internship
Unpaid internships can provide students with meaningful professional experience, but not all unpaid internships are created equal. The Test for Unpaid Interns and Students includes seven criteria for evaluating unpaid internships under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is helpful to review when considering if you will engage in an unpaid internship. Important components of unpaid internships include receiving training similar to what would be given in an educational environment and the opportunity to receive academic credit for your work during your internship.
How to Earn Academic Credit
You may be able to earn academic credit for completing an internship, and if your internship is unpaid, your employer may even require it. Learn more about Academic Internships through the Academic Internships Office that provides more information for students seeking academic credit.
International students who wish to complete an internship must apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) through the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS). All international students interested in internships are encouraged to review the following Employment Information for International Students.
To receive approval to complete an internship, international students must enroll in an internship course. Refer to the Unpaid Internships & Earning Academic Credit section above for information regarding CSULB internship classes.
View a comprehensive list of internship search resources on the CDC Job & Internship Search page.
CSULB Internship Programs
- Long Beach Community Internship Program: creates pathways for CSULB juniors and seniors who are Long Beach Promise students and graduates of Long Beach area high schools to engage in meaningful semester-long paid internship opportunities
- College Corps @ the Beach: works with campus and community partners to place students in two-semester paid internships focusing on key issues related to climate action and environmental justice, food insecurity, and K-12 education with an emphasis on climate literacy
- Project Resilience Internship Program: offers opportunities for AAPI students to gain workplace experience and learn career skills with industry partners and community organizations serving the AAPI community
National and State Internship Programs
- Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Internship Program: offers paid internships with corporations or federal agencies for students from all majors
- Pathways Internship Programs: provides internships with the U.S. Department of State to explore federal careers
- National Park Service Youth Programs: outlines internship and volunteer opportunities with the National Park Service
- Capital Fellows Programs: offers nationally recognized public policy fellowships which provide unique experiences in policy-making and development in each branch of California's state government
- James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program: offers approximately 15 one-year fellowships to graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year to work as research assistants with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- BLAC Internship Program: introduces emerging Black and BIPOC talent to advertising through a 12-week paid internship for creative thinkers that takes place at ad agencies across the country
Applying to internships is a multi-step process that includes researching internship opportunities in your field, creating a tailored resume, preparing for interviews and more. Check out the SUCCEED Job Search Model on the CDC Job & Internship Search page to learn about all of the necessary steps for an effective internship search.
The Career Development Center's Fall 2024 Internship and Career Series will include the following events for students to hear from professionals and learn about internship opportunities in a variety of industries:
Engineering Internship Event
Tuesday, September 10, 12:00-2:00 PM
ECS 312
Business Internship Event
Thursday, September 26, 4:00-6:00 PM
Brotman Hall 250
Natural Sciences & Mathematics Sustainability Industry Spotlight
Wednesday, October 9, 3:00-5:00 PM
Brotman Hall 250
For more information, view these and other upcoming events on the Career Events Calendar.
If you took part in an internship in Fall 2023 or Spring/Summer 2024, you are invited to participate in the 2024 Career Development Center (CDC) Internship Essay Contest.
One lucky winner will be chosen from each of the seven colleges to receive a $1,000 scholarship, and one of the seven winners will then be chosen to win an additional award of $1,000. The winning essays will also be submitted to the California Internship and Work Experience Association (CIWEA) Bernard L. Hyink Scholarship for a chance to win an additional $1,000 scholarship.
Deadline
Friday, October 18, 2024
Participant Eligibility
- Must be a currently enrolled CSULB student
- Must have completed an internship, practicum, fieldwork, or student teaching assignment in Fall 2023 or Spring/Summer 2024 (at least 120 hours of work experience)
- Must be enrolled during Spring 2025 semester to receive award
- Previous winners and student interns of the CDC are not eligible
To Enter the Contest
- Sign in to [Single Sign-On (SSO)]
- Select [CareerLINK]
- Click on your initials in the top right corner
- Select [Surveys]
- Open the 2024 Internship Essay Contest by clicking [Respond]
- Complete the form and in an essay of 750 words or less address the following:
- Briefly describe the organization you interned for.
- What projects and assignments did you complete?
- What knowledge or skills from your coursework were helpful on the job?
- What new skills and abilities have you developed since completing your internship?
- How did you stand out as an intern?
- What was your greatest accomplishment?
- How did your internship experience influence your career path?
- Submit your completed entry form or save your draft if you want to come back to it later
- Submissions must be completed and received by 10:00 PM on Friday, October 18, 2024
Note: The scholarship funding is disbursed through financial aid and may be reflected differently based on a student’s financial aid package.
For Additional Information
Contact Jeanna Trammell, the Career Development Center Assistant Director of Internship Services, or complete our online Help Form.
2023 Internship Essay Contest Winner
Francesca Namala
CSULB College of Liberal Arts
EAAA Peer Facilitator Intern
Not Alone at the Beach, CSULB, Long Beach, CA
Excerpt of Winning Essay:
"Throughout my internship with NATB, I acquired unique leadership skills and communication abilities essential to leading sex education among college students. I learned how to balance my role as both a peer and a teacher; presenting myself as a relatable student while still upholding my position as an authority figure. Furthermore, I relayed the curriculums messages in a safe space that welcomed any comments, questions and concerns students may have. Creating this space required me to respectively shut down victim blaming attitudes by negating student’s inaccurate comments without threatening their social acceptance. Successfully facilitating the EAAA program was no easy task, but it left me with invaluable skills applicable to various forms of survivor advocacy across college campuses."
The Manuel Perez Internship Success Scholarship assists students in exploring a career via an unpaid internship in the non-profit or government fields.
Do you have an internship offer for Summer 2024? Is your internship unpaid and at a non-profit or government organization? If so, apply for the opportunity to receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Deadline
Friday, June 7, 2024
Participant Eligibility
- Must be currently enrolled at CSULB
- Must be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or higher)
- Graduation date must be December 2024 or later
- Must have secured an unpaid internship in the non-profit or government fields prior to applying for the Manuel Perez Internship Success Scholarship
- Internship must take place between May-August 2024
To Enter the Contest
- Sign in to [Single Sign-On (SSO)]
- Click on [CareerLINK]
- Select [Resources]
- Click on [Big Interview]
- Register using your CSULB email address
- In Big Interview, select the [Interviews] tab, select [Interview Assignments] and enter the following code: ad8a2f
- Follow the instructions to record your responses to the following questions:
- Let’s learn more about you. Tell me about yourself. What is your current major and educational background?
- Tell me about the organization where you will be completing your internship. What interested you about the organization and the internship opportunity?
- Share three learning goals that you hope to accomplish by the end of your internship. Please include how you will obtain these goals. (Learning goals can include skills you hope to acquire/strengthen, gaining industry knowledge, or building relationships in your industry of choice.)
- What are your goals after graduation? Describe how completing this internship will help complement your educational and career goals.
