Prepare for an Internship

Group A: 18-Week Internship
Internship Course: Monday, August 5, 2024 to Saturday, December 14, 2024
Orientation Deadline: Thursday, July 10, 2024 at 11:59 pm

Group B: 16-Week Internship
Internship Course: Monday, August 19, 2024 to Saturday, December 14, 2024
Orientation Deadline: Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 11:59 pm

Group C: 10-Week Internship
Internship Course: Monday, September 30, 2024 to Saturday, December 14, 2024
Orientation Deadline: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 11:59 pm

Group D: 8-Week Internship
Internship Course: Monday, October 21, 2024 to Saturday, December 14, 2024
Orientation Deadline: Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 11:59 pm

Group A: 18-Week Internship
Internship Course: Monday, January 13, 2025 to Saturday, May 24, 2025
Orientation Deadline: Wednesday, December 11, 2025 at 11:59 pm

Group B: 16-Week Internship
Internship Course: Monday, January 27, 2025 to Saturday, May 24, 2025
Orientation Deadline: Monday, January 6, 2025 at 11:59 pm

Group C: 10-Week Internship
Internship Course: Monday, March 10, 2025 to Saturday, May 24, 2025
Orientation Deadline: Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 11:59 pm

Group D: 8-Week Internship
Internship Course: Monday, March 31, 2025 to Saturday, May 24, 2025
Orientation Deadline: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 11:59 pm

1. Review and confirm internship for credit eligibility
2. Learn how internships for credit work
3. Confirm planned internship aligns with semester dates and deadlines
4. Access the self-paced Internship Orientation

Make contacts with businesses and create your own opportunity or work with your instructors to find an internship. College Central Network also contains possible internships. You may be able to find internships through student clubs and professional organizations. Reaching out to friends and family can be helpful as many openings are never advertised, so networking is important. Get creative and think outside the box. For example, a construction company might need a marketing intern to work alongside and learn from the company’s marketing manager. Career and Transfer Connections is also here to help.

It is ultimately your responsibility to locate an internship. Internships align with Sierra’s semesters, so students are encouraged to start looking for an internship well in advance of the start of the semester. The more time and effort you put into helping arrange your perfect experience, the more likely it is that you will get it!

Most internships are unpaid, but some are paid. Pay is determined by the internship site. If you aren’t being paid by the company, then you’ll be a volunteer, or “unpaid” intern. If the company is paying you through their payroll, then you’ll be a “paid” intern. Regardless of pay, all internships should provide meaningful experience related to your education and career goals. Quality, unpaid internships provide similar benefits as paid ones, including:

• real-world work experience
• building your resume
• applying what you’re learning in your classes
• expanding your professional network
• helping you confirm your career goal

Internships are a significant investment of time, so we encourage all students to evaluate potential internships for desired learning and experience before making a commitment.

You’ll make the most of your valuable time, as our college strives to ensure a quality learning experience. You will earn credit and receive support from a Sierra College instructor as you work under the supervision of an internship site supervisor. We formalize your internship using forms to clearly identify your planned experience and expectations. The forms are signed and approved by all parties. Getting credit may meet a degree or certificate requirement. If you are in an unpaid internship, you may receive Workers Compensation coverage through Sierra College.

If you are currently enrolled Sierra College and 18 years or older at the start of your internship, you are eligible to earn credit. If you are enrolled in high school, you are not eligible at this time. You must have a confirmed internship with new and expanded learning related to your education or career goal. You should have a declared program of study (major), completed at least one semester of college, an overall 2.0 GPA, and be enrolled in at least one other class in addition to the internship (except summer).

Yes, if it satisfies three important criteria. 

1. The internship must offer new and expanded learning related to your education or career goal.
2. It must be approved by your site supervisor and instructor, and you need to enroll in the internship course.
3. Only hours offering new and expanded learning that are done after you complete the internship course enrollment process, and on or after the internship course start date will count for internship credit.

Yes, however hours completed prior to enrolling in the internship course and before the official start date do not count toward the minimum required internship hours. With that said, we strongly advise you to wait until you’re enrolled in the internship course. Also, for unpaid internships, Sierra College’s Workers Compensation coverage does not take effect until you are enrolled in the internship course and until the official internship start date.

The internship course at Sierra College is similar to your other classes in that you’ll enroll, earn units, receive a grade, and have the option to withdraw. However, there is no on-campus classroom time. Instead, the “class” takes place at your internship site, where you will work under the direct supervision of your site supervisor, with your instructor providing oversight.

For each unit of credit, you are required to complete a minimum of 54 hours of unpaid or paid work during the semester. You can enroll for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, or 4 units. At the end of the internship, your instructor will verify that you’ve completed the required hours and will assign a grade based on three main areas:

1. Two learning objectives,
2. 21st Century Skills, and
3. Any additional assignments your instructor may provide.

Please note, that if you do not complete the required minimum hours for your enrolled units, you will receive an “F” grade for the course.

Once you secure an internship, contact the Career and Transfer Center. We’ll guide you through the next steps.

The cost for your internship course is the same as any other Sierra College class. Note that other fees such as the student center fee may also apply. Generally, if you receive financial aid, the award is also applied to an internship course, as long as it is included in your MAP. With this said, please check with your counselor immediately if you’re not sure about this. If the internship course is not included on your MAP, your financial aid may not apply to it. If this is the case, you will still be able to proceed with the internship, but just keep in mind that you may have to pay for it yourself.

As an international student, you should first contact your designated school official (DSO) in Enrollment Services to determine eligibility for curricular practical training (CPT). Career and Transfer Connections can provide tools to find an internship, learn about requirements to earn credit and answer internship questions. Please keep in mind that the internship must be related to your education and career goals. Once eligibility is confirmed by your DSO and you have a confirmed internship, contact us. We will guide you through the next steps.