Kickstart Your Career
Internships are more than just a line on a resume – they are your chance to test-drive a career, build a professional network, and apply classroom learning to real-world experiences.
Why Intern?
Think of an internship as your “professional laboratory.” It’s a form of experiential learning – a chance to take the theories you’ve spent hours studying in the classroom and test them out in a professional environment.
Whether you are working in an office, from your laptop at home, or a mix of both, an internship is your golden ticket to:
- Explore Your Interests: Test-drive an industry or role to see if it’s the right fit for your short & long-term career goals.
- Gain Experience & Skills: Bridge the “skills gap” between the classroom and the workplace with hands-on projects.
- Expand Your Network: Connect with mentors and industry professionals who can provide guidance and referrals.
- Boost Hireability: Stand out to recruiters; many internships lead directly to full-time job offers upon graduation.
How to Get Started
Start your search at least 1-2 semesters before you plan to intern. Many competitive summer programs close their applications as early as October or November for summer opportunities.
Not sure where to start? The internship search can feel like a lot, but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re looking for your first experience or trying to narrow down your interests, our career coaches are here to help. Schedule an appointment with a CCPD staff member using your Handshake account.
Internship Funding Support
We believe financial hurdles shouldn’t stand in the way of your professional growth. Thanks to generous gifts from our alumni and donors, students can apply for InternshipFunding.
This funding, made possible by generous alumni and donor support, helps eliminate financial barriers to internship completion. These funds help to offset cost-of-living expenses—including housing, transportation, and meals—associated with professional development.
Key Information
- Purpose: To reduce financial barriers and ensure students gain valuable hands-on experience.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be currently enrolled students who will continue enrollment in the semester following their internship.
- Financial Need: Students must document a cost-of-living financial need that exceeds their internship wages or other available funding support.
- Exclusions: This funding does not cover entrepreneurial projects or on-campus summer research opportunities mentored by faculty (which are eligible for funding through the Office of URSCA).
Application Requirements
- Search for and secure an internship. If you need assistance, schedule a meeting with a career coach in the Center for Career & Professional Development. The opportunity must be secured before applying for funding, and you will need to upload a copy of your internship offer letter or confirmation as part of your application.
- Career Impact Statement. Describe your motivation for undertaking the internship. Make strong connections between the internship experience and your academic goals, and give concrete examples of how the internship activities will help you with your professional goals. (Limit 500 words)
- Budget Justification. Document each of your estimated expenses in a detailed Budget Worksheet (found in the application). Detail the expenses of your internship that you are requesting funding for, and describe any additional sources of support you’ll be utilizing.
How to Apply
Students can submit their materials, including a copy of their offer letter, a Career Impact Statement and a detailed budget justification, via the internship funding application on the Gator Success Grants page.
Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are depleted. Funding is not awarded retroactively. Students must have an internship secured before completing the application.
Review Process
After the form has been completed, the appropriate committee will be notified and will start the review process. Students should be aware that it may take up to two weeks before they receive a decision regarding their application.
Disclaimer
Submitting an application for funding does not guarantee that any funding assistance will be provided. Applications are evaluated based on student need, as well as the completeness and quality of the application, including the career impact statement and budget justification.
It is the College’s responsibility to inform you that the funds you receive can be considered taxable. As the College may not give tax advice, you will need to educate yourself as to how you should report this money for tax year purposes.
For assistance with the application process & budget template, students should schedule an appointment with a CCPD staff member via their Handshake account. Students can also attend internship funding information sessions offered throughout the year.