Internships
Work experience is crucial
for anyone who wants to jump start a career in a technical field. Our Work Experience program lets you earn college credit while you gain practical experience. A CompTIA article states:
"IT careers are "hands-on," and gaining real-world experience gives you an advantage
over other entry-level IT professionals. One of the best ways to gain experience is
through an internship."
Work Experience is offered during the Spring semester at Cuyamaca College.
TO GET STARTED
Contact
Curtis Sharon
(CIS Work Experience Coordinator) prior to the semester you wish to do your internship to discuss your qualifications, potential opportunities, and other program requirements.
Internships.com
allows you to search for opportunities by area. After the semester begins, you can get an add code from the Coordinator.
Then enroll in CIS 267 or GD 230 for 1,2, 3, or 4 units. You'll be expected to work 60 hours per unit over the semester (roughly 4 hours per week per unit). In addition to enrolling in CIS 267, you also need to be enrolled in a minimum of 3 additional units (other than CIS 267) and be actively pursuing a degree or certificate program in the CIS Department.
PLAN AHEAD
If you are interested in gaining that all important experience required for a great resume, now is the time to start planning for an internship. Contact the Work Experience Coordinator well in advance of the semester you desire an internship so that an appropriate company/position can be found.
You will need to provide a draft resume and/or a web portfolio prior to your first meeting with the Work Experience Coordinator.
INTERNSHIP PROCEDURES
Prior to the internship semester:
- Complete 15 units toward a Cuyamaca College CIS or GD degree or certificate program.
- Prepare a resume related to the field in which they desire a work experience internship.
- Prepare a list of all classes taken at Cuyamaca College and other campuses.
- Contact the instructor prior to the start of classes.
- Identify an employer.
- Work with the coordinator to create a training plan which will include occupational goals and objectives for the directed work experience/internship.
During the semester students will be evaluated by their work supervisor and the instructor. Two meetings will be held during the semester to evaluate the student's progress in attaining their training goals.
For Employers
Students are seeking meaningful work on real projects. They are granted college credit for completing the requisite number of hours per unit satisfactorily. What do you need to do to participate in the program?
- Contact the instructor with your intern requirements (what skills are you looking for) prior to the beginning of the semester. Semesters begin in mid-January and mid-August.
- Provide meaningful work on real projects.
- Sign a "no harm" contract with the college stating that you will provide the student with meaningful work on projects that will meet their training goals and that the college will cover the student for insurance purposes.
- Evaluate the student at the end of the semester.
- Whether or not you pay the student is up to you. Most do. Some don't.
- Just because the semester ends doesn't mean the student has to stop working for you. It just means that the student is no longer covered by the college for insurance purposes. Many companies have kept the student as an intern well beyond the end of the semester.
- If you have problems with the student please contact the instructor.