Internship Program
Put Your Knowledge to Work
Becoming an Intern | Companies | Internship Steps and Timeline
Add a 4-month internship program after you successfully complete your IDP certificate. An internship gives you an opportunity to put your skills, knowledge, and experience to practical use. It also enables you to learn U.S. business practices and approaches in the most direct way.
After completing the internship, you have invaluable experience to include on your résumé. This experience is an advantage when you start a new career, return to your current position, or apply to a graduate program.
The variety of companies that make internships available to IDP students provides a wide range of opportunities. To give you the best opportunity for a meaningful experience, your internship typically takes place in a small- to medium-sized company. Participating companies represent a variety of industries such as advertising, entertainment, finance and banking, healthcare, hospitality, international trade, marketing, public relations, or telecommunications. Typical tasks in an internship may include creating a global stock presentation, redesigning a company’s website, or establishing international contacts to build a client base.
Becoming an Intern
You apply to become an intern while you are participating in one of the 4-month diploma programs. To qualify for an internship, you must
- have an overall GPA (grade point average) of 2.5 or higher in your International Diploma Program
- maintain a C or higher in all courses in your International Diploma Program
- be a student in good standing throughout the duration of your program
If you meet these requirements, an internship coordinator assists you as you attend an internship orientation, participate in a company fair to meet prospective employers, create a résumé, and develop your interviewing skills.
You interview for the internship position, just as you would interview for a job. Once you obtain an internship, an IDP instructor helps you meet the program’s academic requirements. In addition, a supervisor monitors your performance and attendance as you serve as an intern. Your internship is considered an academic program, so you are able to maintain your status as a full-time student.
Internship Companies
Internship students have been placed in a wide variety of Bay Area organizations, including:
Alupka Asset Management
Bayer
California-Asia Business Council
Cannell Capital, LLC
Comcast Spotlight
East Bay Center for International Trade Development
Four Seasons Hotel
Gracenote
Humane Society of Silicon Valley
Mid-America Overseas
Nichi Bei Times
Port of Oakland
San Francisco Chocolate Factory
Shaklee Corporation
Siemens
St. Regis Hotel
UBS
U.S. Small Business Administration
Westin St. Francis Hotel
World of Good
*This is a partial list of internship companies. Placement in an internship is not guaranteed, is subject to acceptance by a company, and is at the discretion of the internship coordinator.
Internship Steps and Timeline
