FAQ-Internships - Frequently Asked Questions
Internships - Frequently Asked Questions
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What is an internship?
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An internship is an on-site work experience that is either directly related to your major field of study or your career interest. It can be paid or unpaid, and held during the summer or throughout the academic year.
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What are the benefits of an internship?
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An internship gives you the opportunity to:
Gain valuable work experience before you graduate;
Develop new skills and refine others;
Apply knowledge gained from coursework to on-the-job situations;
Reality-test tentative career choices;
Meet and work with professionals, establishing contacts for letters of reference and networking;
Experience new work environments;
Earn money for tuition and expenses.
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How do I find an internship?
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The most effective internship searches utilize a variety of different search strategies. A great place to start is the Career Center website - many Internship listings are available online via Handshake. You can search your interests by keyword(s). (You may also want to use the word "intern" or "internship" in your search.) You will find information about additional internship opportunities elsewhere on this website.
Also, take advantage of all your networking opportunities. In addition to making contacts through friends, family, current/former employers, classmates, and faculty members, there are many other networking avenues you can pursue. A great place to start is the @cal Career Network, a database of Cal alumni. You may also learn about internship openings through newspapers, newsletters, job fairs, work/study abroad programs, hometown contacts, professional associations, student organizations, trade magazines, community service/volunteer groups, and your major department office.
While there is a great deal of information available, you must be persistent in your internship search. Start early and seek out help from a career counselor. Have a plan that includes a great resume and cover letter, appropriate follow-up, and good record keeping. Be prepared, open-minded, flexible, and professional. It's up to you to make all your contacts count!
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When is a good time to start looking for an internship?
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If you mean during which year of academic study, the second semester of your freshman year is not too soon. Allow yourself at least one semester of academic study to adjust to the rigors of life at UC Berkeley. Then, depending on your major, GPA, and courseload requirements, you may be ready to intern. Remember that your academic work is always your first priority.
If you mean at which point during the year, the Career Center receives internship listings continually. It's probably best to begin your internship search the semester prior to your desired placement. That way, you'll have time to respond to listed positions and initiate contacts on your own as well. Lead time can give you a competitive edge when it comes to composing an effective cover letter or tailoring your resume to a desired internship.
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Can I get academic credit for my internship?
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It may be possible to get academic credit for your internship, but not from the Career Center.
Only academic departments can offer credit, and policies differ greatly from one department to the next. Often your internship must relate directly to your major and will require you to complete a substantial research project or writing component as part of special studies course. For more information see Academic Credit.
Keep in mind that some employers require students to receive academic credit as a form of "payment" due to liability issues, but may also be willing to classify you as a volunteer if receiving credit is not an option. Please see the internship liability issues (PDF) with helpful information for advisors & students.
There are different requirements for International students who wish to obtain work authorization using the academic credit option. You should consult an advisor at the Berkeley International Office.
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What if my question isn't answered here?
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One of the most effective ways to get answers and plan for your internship search is to meet with a Career Counselor in person. We offer both 15-minute "mini" appointments and 30-minute appointments. To make an appointment for general or career field-specific internship counseling, sign up online.
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Summer Internship/Employment-Related Questions
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When should I start looking for a summer position?
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Begin searching in the preceding fall semester in order to take full advantage of all the resources and listings available to you. Some deadlines are very early! Beginning early allows you to more evenly balance the time required to conduct a successful summer job search with other demands on your time. Being better informed will help you make better use of academic breaks to investigate summer job possibilities.
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How do I find a summer internship locally?
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Summer internships are particularly challenging because of the limited amount of time involved and competition for them in the Bay Area. Rule 1: Start early! Many of the larger organizations which offer summer internships begin listing them the previous Fall Semester. The Career Center lists most paid summer positions online: Handshake and Work Study Positions. During Spring Semester, attend job fairs (the Spring Career Fair, the Nonprofit/Public Service Career Fair, the Internship & Summer Job Fair), to meet people recruiting for summer opportunities. Lastly, tell everyone you know what kind of summer internship you're seeking. Networking helps.
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How can I find an internship/summer job outside of the Area?
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In addition to searching Handshake, use resources such as yellow pages and Hoovers to locate employer contact information for your desired location. Contact potential employers directly, with the type of position you are seeking, your qualifications and time availability. Follow up with employers if you don't hear from them in a reasonable period of time. Let employers know if you will be in their geographical area during one of the University breaks. Also attend Career Fairs to meet employers recruiting for summer positions in a variety of geographical locations
You can also utilize online job search sites and internship databases to identify opportunities in your ideal geographic location. Also check the websites of universities in the area you're targeting for local listings, networking events, and helpful resources specific to that area.
Don't let housing needs and worry about competition deter you if you are heading for unfamiliar territory. Universities often rent housing to students working in their city during the summer. Your summer employer may have suggestions for you. Finding suitable housing may not be as difficult nor as expensive as you think.
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How can I find a summer internship abroad?
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Check out our International Internship Opportunities section for comprehensive information on opportunities and resources.
Utilize the GoinGlobal resource through Callisto to explore country guides and opportunities in specific regions of the world.
Sign up for our International CareerMail to receive regular email updates about events and opportunities.
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Do employers come on campus to recruit for summer employment?
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Yes. Make plans to engage in On-Campus Recruiting (OCR) during the Spring semester when many employers hire for summer internships. Also be sure to participate in the Internship & Summer Job Fair typically held in mid-February.
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General Questions
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How can I get a job or internship if I have no experience?
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Employers value skills developed through academic work, volunteer experiences, extracurricular experiences, or other experiences which demonstrate skills useful in work. Not all of these skills are job type specific; some of these skills are general such as communication skills and analytical skills, and can transfer to different settings. And routine types of student jobs can demonstrate to employers that you have been a successful employee. Obtaining internships and is another great way to bridge this gap.
If a job does require some very specific experience, you might consider finding a more routine position in a setting similar to where you would eventually like to hold a job with greater responsibilities.
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What can I do to increase my chances of finding a good job?
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In addition to looking at our job listings diligently, network with people who may have contact suggestions for you, approach employers of interest to you directly, be sure you have put your best effort into writing your resume and are prepared to handle interview questions well. Consider being more flexible if you are having difficulty. For a summer position, can you consider other geographical areas? Would you be able to work part-time year-round since these positions are easier to find than summer only positions? Be sure to look at our Job Search information. Talk to one of our Career Counselors if you need additional help with your job search.
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What are some benefits of internships and student work experience?
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In addition to potential wages earned, student work and internship experience is valuable for exploring fields of work which you may wish to enter after graduation. Experience develops new skills and strengthens existing skills. Work experience helps you establish professional contacts in a potential field of interest. You will be able to demonstrate work setting accomplishments in your resume.
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What salary can I expect?
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Salaries vary according to experience and skills required, year in school, type of position, type of employer, and location. For student jobs here in the San Francisco Bay Area, it is not unusual to find positions of $13/hour and up (substantially higher for special skills and significant experience). Internships can be both paid and unpaid depending on the same factors mentioned above.
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How many hours can I work as a student?
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If possible, wait to commit to a job until you have a feeling for how much time you have beyond coursework, extracurricular activities, and some time for yourself. And note that our office receives job listings year-round and also receives short-term, project positions which do not require a long-term commitment. When classes are in session, students are advised to work no more than 20 hours/week.
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