Welcome
Our mission is to connect the classroom with the workplace by helping students gain practical experience that improves their professional skills and employment prospects. We partner with businesses and organizations to create valuable internship opportunities for our students and benefit for the employers who hire them.
Internship Overview
- Internship Defined
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An internship is the opportunity for a student to work in an organization that allows them to gain practical experience in their chosen field.
Qualities of a Strong Internship
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Allows the student to be exposed to multiple departments or functions within an organization
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Is project driven and gives the intern the opportunity to interact with multiple levels of leadership and can include a final project presentation
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Has a defined role for the intern that allows them to gain a strong understanding of the day to day operations of the business and its mission
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Provides honest performance feedback to the student intern that will help them improve their work skills
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Develops, in tandem with the student, strong S.M.A.R.T goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic/Relevant and Timely) that will translate well to their career path
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Provides the organization an "outsider's" perspective into their processes, work environment and success
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Limits the amount of clerical and/or repetitive work to no more than 20% of the total internship time
Internships can take place at a government entity (city, county, state), at a non-profit business (designated as a 501 (c) within IRS rules) or at a for-profit business.
The internship opportunity must be in alignment with the student's declared concentration and final approval for all undergraduate students will be determined by the Internship Program Coordinator in JB-105. Final approval for all graduate students will be determined by the appropriate department's Graduate Faculty Advisor.
Exceptions on Internship Types Accepted
In order to maintain the integrity of CBPA's Internship Program, there are some arrangements that are not in alignment with our Program's mission. These situations include but are not limited to the following:
- An opportunity at your family's business
- An opportunity that is at a home-based business
- A "virtual" internship
- Opportunities that are commission based or where the student is asked to pay to participate
- An internship at a student's own business
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An internship that the student completed, without CBPA Internship Office oversight/knowledge, prior to requesting enrollment
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An opportunity that presents a conflict of interest to California State University and/or the College of Business and Public Administration