Internships offer real advantages. Check out how they can help you grow, explore your interests, and get ahead in your career.
Real-World Experience: Apply what you’ve learned in class to actual work situations, helping you gain practical skills you can use no matter where your career takes you.
Career Exploration and Professional Growth: Discover potential career paths, learn from industry professionals, and enhance your skills, all while gaining insight into your chosen field.
Mentorship: Benefit from the guidance of mentors both at FIU and in your workplace, who will support your growth and development throughout your internship.
Networking: Build connections with professionals in your field, which can lead to valuable references and potential job offers.
Competitive Edge: Internships are one of the primary tools employers use to recruit entry-level college graduates. Your experience will help you stand out in the job market.
Academic Credit: By enrolling in an internship course for credit, you can earn academic credit that may count toward your degree.
Finding an internship requires proactive planning and careful consideration of your goals. Here are some effective strategies to help you find the right opportunity:
- Click Here to Explore Internship Opportunities in Your Major: Check your department’s website for a list of community organizations that offer internships aligned with your field of study.
- Browse Community Partner Internship Listings Here: Visit the Internship Opportunities with Community Partners section on this website to discover available internships and learn more about potential host organizations.
- Career Services: Visit FIU’s Career and Talent Development to access career fairs and other events that feature community-based organizations.
- Handshake: Explore internship listings through Handshake.
- Networking: Connect with faculty, alumni, and industry professionals who may have insights into available internships or can provide referrals to community-based organizations.
- Community Organizations: Contact local nonprofits, government agencies, and other community organizations directly to inquire about internship opportunities.
- Online Job Boards: Search for internships with community-based organizations on Indeed, LinkedIn, and other job boards.
- Professional Associations: Explore internship listings through professional associations related to your field of study, many of which partner with community organizations.
- Volunteering: Engage in volunteer work with community-based organizations, which can often lead to internship opportunities.
Remember, some organizations start recruiting interns a year in advance, so it’s a good idea to begin your search early and plan ahead!
Enrollment in internship courses requires permission from the department. Once you’ve secured an internship, follow these steps:
- Click here to review the CASE Student Handbook for Enrollment-Based Community Internships: Familiarize yourself with the guidelines and procedures for enrolling in an elective internship course.
- Obtain an Offer Letter: Request an offer letter from your internship site. Download a sample here.
- Download Your Unofficial Transcript. Follow the instructions on the OneStop website to download your unofficial transcript.
- Submit the CASE Internship Enrollment Request
Enrollment requests should be submitted by the following deadlines to ensure that you receive permission to enroll during the standard enrollment period: - Fall A & C Semester Internships: Submit by August 1
- Fall B Semester Internships: Submit by September 30
- Spring A& C Semester Internships: Submit by November 15
- Spring B Semester Internships: Submit by February 15
- Summer A & C Semester Internships: Submit by April 1
- Summer B Semester Internships: Submit by May 30
- Meet with Your Internship Instructor or Faculty Liaison: Contact your internship instructor or the academic unit’s faculty liaison to ensure that your proposed internship aligns with your major and has their approval.
- Complete Required Paperwork: If your request is approved, the internship faculty liaison will send you and your internship site the necessary paperwork.
- Enroll in the Internship Course: Once your request is approved and the necessary paperwork is completed, you will receive permission to enroll in the internship course.