WHAT IS AN INTERNSHIP?

An internship is an experience where students, while enrolled in college, can gain realistic learning experiences through work. The internship must have educational value for the students employed. The work experience may be paid or unpaid.

There are no class meetings for students enrolled in an internship class. Online assignments will be given and students will maintain internet communication with an instructor.  Class time is spent at your internship site. 

Students are required to work a minimum number of hours to receive college unit credit. See Work Hours Required below.

Do you need help finding an internship?
Come to the Internship Drop-In Meeting...or call to set up an appointment with the internship coordinator at 310-434-4337.  Ask for Judy.

Career Service Center & Internship Program Lab Hours

The Internship Program is part of the Career Services Center of SMC. We are located in the Library Village 161, just south of the library and before Pearl Street, (310) 434-4337. Many services are provided through the Career Services Center, including a Computer Lab for internships and job search, job search assistance, resume review, and career counseling. Please go to the Career Services Center website for further information.

Hours of the Career Services Center: Mon-Thurs. 8:00am - 5pm, Fri 8:30am - 3:00pm.

General Description of the Internship Program

Three types of internship programs are available to students: General Internship, Internship, and Cooperative Work Experience (CWE).

• See "Compare Program" for more information about the three programs.
• See "Internship Course Listings" to read about specific internship classes.

Grading Criteria

Internship, Cooperative Work Experience, and General Internship classes are graded on a credit/no credit basis. Internship Instructors will take the following criteria into consideration:

• Attendance at Internship Orientation meeting.
• Adequate completion of learning objectives.
• Timely completion of required paperwork and online assignments.
• Working the required number of hours for units of credit (see below for requirements).

Work Hours Required

In order to satisfy the requirements for your internship, you are required to work a specific number of hours to earn internship unit credit. You may work more than the minimum.  Please note, that your internship working hours do not count until you are enrolled in the internship class and the semester has begun.

Each unit of college credit requires 75 paid or 60 unpaid (volunteer) hours of work per semester. For example:

Core Internship Process (details listed in Quick Links "How to Enroll")

• Find Internship: The Internship Program will help you in finding an internship if you are a current SMC student.
• Attend Internship Orientation: This one-time, 1-hour meeting at the start of the semester, covers all the details of the internship, and is required.
• Write Learning Objectives: Identify three new or expanded learning objectives (statements of what you want to learn during your internship). 
• Enroll in an Internship Class
• Complete Online Requirements: Maintain contact with your internship instructor and complete requested assignments.
• Complete Learning Objectives
• Keep Track of Work Hours: See required hours above.
  

Units of Credit and Transferability

For most people, the reason to participate in an internship is the value of the experience to their lives and future careers. But a side benefit is the elective credits that will count toward the Associate of Arts Degree. Internship units are also transferable to California State University system, but not to the University of California or University of Southern California systems.

While the units are not transferable to some colleges, the internship experience is likely to enhance students' applications to these colleges, or any college.

Many employers require that students be enrolled in an internship class in order to cover liability while the student is at the work site in an unpaid internship.

Eligibility

Internship, Cooperative Work Experience and General Internship classes are open to all students. Some internships will require that students already have specific skills or educational background in order to qualify.

See "How to Enroll" for step-by-step details on going through the Internship Program.  The section on "Internship Course Listings" is also helpful to view requirements of particular internship classes.