The Career Development Center assists students in identifying internship opportunities in Jacksonville, throughout Florida, the United States and International locations.

 

Gaining practical work experience and training within your field of study will make you more marketable to employers and can bolster graduate school applications. The Career Development Center strongly encourages all students to consider exploring their career interests and gaining relevant work experience through experiential learning and internship opportunities. 

Students may pursue an internship, seasonal or volunteer opportunity at any time during their college experience; however, unless given prior departmental approval, only Juniors and Seniors can receive academic credit for an internship (up to 12 credit hours). If you are a Junior or Senior level student and are interested in receiving academic credit for an internship, once you have secured an internship you must complete the appropriate internship packet (see below) and a sponsor form and return them to the Registrar's Office. Once these steps are completed, you will be able to enroll in the appropriate internship course for academic credit. 

For frequently asked questions regarding Internships, click here​.


Internship Packets & Sponsor Form

Davis College of Business

College of Arts & Sciences

College of Fine Arts

Sponsor Form​ 


Finding an Internship

  • Log into PHIN Connect​ to search for available internships.
  • Attend our annual Spring Career Expo
  • Attend on-campus career information sessions and recruiting events.
  • Visit the Career Links​​ page to access links for several web-based career search engines. 
  • Visit with your faculty advisor and/or current professors and inquire as to professional contacts they may have.
  • Visit the Career Development Center and speak with an advisor or counselor.
  • Update your professional network (i.e., co-workers/colleagues, former employers, professionals, professors, mentors, friends, peers, family  ​etc.) as to your interest in obtaining an internship. Ask for their support in referring you to opportunities that match your interests and/or referring employers to you. 


Identifying a quality internship experience

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) published the following standards for internships:
  1. The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
  2.  The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
  3.  The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
  4.  There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
  5.  There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
  6.  There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor. 
  7.  There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals. 
If these standards are met, it is the opinion of NACE that the experience can be considered a legitimate internship.  ​

 

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