myCSUSM
FAQs
Enrollment and Course Requirements
- I have a question regarding course enrollment?The Career Center does not oversee enrollment or course requirements. To obtain more information, contact your major adviser or course instructor. For additional information regarding internships that will be taken for a course, see the “credit internships” section on the CSUSM Career Center Website.
- Can I begin my internship hours before the course begins?Internships typically begin after the first class meeting and a starting date will be provided by your course instructor. Arrangements to begin the internship at an earlier date must be arranged with the course instructor.
- How many hours am I required to complete for my internship?A typical course will require between 90-120 hours for the semester. If the internship will not be taken for a course, we suggest the internship does not exceed more than 20 hours per week. Unpaid internships should not exceed a semester.
Finding an Internship
- I’m planning on taking an internship course, how do I start and where can I find one?
If you are planning on taking an internship course, log on to the Academic Internships Database to view over 1,000 CSUSM approved internship sites. Handshake will also offer listings to non-credit internships. Refer to the CSUSM Intern Handbook for more information.
Keep in mind that getting an internship takes advanced preparation. Consider the following questions while searching for an internship:
- What are your specific career interests?
- What do you want to gain from the internship?
- What type of organization are you interested in?
You can also seek out additional resources by:
- Consulting with your professors, major advisor or a Career Counselor to assist you with additional planning
- Use your social and professional networks
- Attend the CSUSM Career Center fairs and events
- Research companies and organizations in your field of interest
For additional information about securing an internship, see the credit and non-credit internship sections on our website.
- When should I apply for an internship?
The application timeframe is largely based on the organization type. Government agencies and larger companies typically recruit students 6 months up to a year prior to the internship start date. Some businesses and non-profit organization will recruit several weeks prior to the internship start date. For exact deadlines, research organizations you are considering applying to in the future.
- Can I get credit for a past internship I've completed?No. Internships cannot be approved retroactively for credit. Like any academic coursework, an internship requires faculty supervision, learning objectives, and regular feedback.
- Is it okay to intern for a family member?To avoid a conflict of interest, students may not intern with family members.
- Can I complete my hours at my current workplace?
Per the CSUSM Student Internship Policy, students using their job as their internship experience must seek pre-approval from the course instructor to ensure the experience is above and beyond the student’s regular work duties and meets the content for the internship course.
- Are there any international internship opportunities?At the moment, all internship opportunities are located in the USA. For study abroad opportunities, contact the Global Programs and Services.
- Can I intern for a home-based business?Home-based businesses may be approved once required criteria are met. Furthermore, a site visit may be required but does not guarantee approval.
- How do I find a remote internship opportunity?Use the database to search for the key word: “remote” internships. In addition, use your network to learn more about internships in your industry. You can also utilize other online search engines such as LinkedIn, internships.com and indeed.com.
Using the Academic Internship Database
- How do I use the Academic Internship Database?
The Academic Internship Database is helpful to find businesses, non-profits, and government agencies that are approved internship sites. To use the database, log in with your CSUSM credentials.
Helpful Tips:
- Work with your faculty advisor or a Career Counselor to learn about opportunities in your major and/or career interest
- Select as many “Organization Types” in the database that are relevant to your search
- Think of keywords associated with your search and use them in the “keyword” field in the database (examples: biotech, marketing, Temecula).
- How do report placement in the database?
Once you have been offered the internship and have received faculty approval, create a placement in the database.
- Can I select more than one site to complete my internship hours?The option to select more than one site for an internship course may not be offered by every course instructor. Students must seek approval from the course instructor prior to selecting a second internship site. Consequently, the database will only allow once placement to be created by the student. After receiving instructor approval, send a request for a second placement with your name, course, second site information, site contact, and hours estimated to: internships@csusm.edu.
- My internship site is not in the database, how do I add them?
To request a site to be added to the database, review the steps for requesting a new community partner. This process may take anywhere from up to 5 weeks as it requires online paperwork and documentation. To help expedite this process, be sure to check in with your site supervisor to ensure they have submitted all requested information.
PLEASE NOTE: Deadlines to submit new requests are August 1 for the Fall semester, May 1 for the Summer sessions and December 1 for the Spring semester.
- What happens if my internship is unpaid, offers a stipend, or is 1099 employment and
the site doesn't sign the agreement?
A University Community Partnership Agreement for unpaid opportunities, or for those that offer a stipend or 1099 employment, is important because it establishes guidelines and policies for a quality internship experience. If we do not hear back from your site or if they refuse to sign the agreement, you will need to find a new placement.
- How do I modify my placement?To make corrections to your completed placement, send your request with your name, course, and the information needed to be updated to: internships@csusm.edu
- I recently enrolled in my class, why don't I see it in the database?After enrolling in your class, allow 48 hours for your course to appear in the database.
Additional Resources
- I am a veteran student, what resources are available for me?In addition to the database, visit Veterans Services to obtain more information about their Professional Development program for further support.
- I am an international student, what resources are available for me?International students should check in with the Office of Global Education for work authorization information. International students have some special regulations that apply only to international students such as completing curricular practice training. For assistance, refer to the Global Programs and Services
- I am an AB540 student, what resources are available for me?AB540 students may participate in unpaid internship opportunities at non-profit organizations. Note some organizations will require a social security number for background checks. If applicable, this requirement will be noted under “additional requirements” on the organization’s information page in the database. In addition, consider taking an internship on campus. Many on-campus organizations will take on current students without a social security number. For additional resources, see the Office of Inclusive Excellence.
- I am an LGBTQA student, what resources are available for me?The Career Center works with a variety of organizations including but not limited to: Businesses, Non-profit Organizations, Government Agencies, Religious/Faith based organizations, and Political organizations. LGBTQA students are strongly encouraged to research organization structure and inquire about company culture and accommodations to determine if it is a good fit. For additional resources, see the Office of Inclusive Excellence.
- I need a TB test and/or Livescan. What resources are available to me?
Student Health and Counseling Services is located on our campus. Many internship opportunities that involve working with youth/children require students to obtain a tuberculosis test as a pre-placement requirement
- SHCS provides TB test for the cost of $10; call 760-750-4915 to schedule an appointment.
- In addition check with your Internship site to ensure this is an appropriate location to satisfy this pre-placement requirement.
The University Police Department is located on the further end of our campus, past parking lot O. Some internship opportunities, particularly those with government agencies, require interns to obtain a LiveScan.
- The CSUSM Police Department provides a LiveScan service for the cost of $20.
- Check with your Internship site to ensure this is an appropriate location to satisfy this pre-placement requirement.
*The CSUSM University Community Partnership Agreement requires all parties to follow all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, including but not limited to laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment.
If you feel you have been discriminated, harassed, or have a non-emergency safety concern at an internship site, contact the Interim Director of the Career Center, Andres Favela afavela@csusm.edu immediately.