Student Internships

Internship Opportunities

Internships provide Southwestern College students with hands-on workplace experience and an opportunity to develop and improve skills which will make them more marketable when they begin their job search. Internships are temporary job positions that employers offer to attract and develop potential future employees. Internships are also used by our Students to meet their degree or certificate requirements. We encourage you to set academic and career goals and seek an internship which can help you land a permanent job with a company you're interested in. 

Preparing for your internships is essential. Make sure your have completed at least 6 units in your declared major, have a strong GPA, and have at lease 12-15 hours per week to devote to your internship.  You should also have an updated resume and work on your interviewing skills.  

The following Internship/Volunteer opportunities available through SWC.

Cooperative Work Experience

The Cooperative Work Experience Education (CWEE) program provides paid and non-paid internship opportunities to students. CWEE builds the bridge from college to career by providing on the job training and additional resources for career success. Applying what you have learned in the classroom to your internship enables you to earn college credits (up to 16 units) while working in jobs related to your academic and career program. 

Service Learning

Service Learning is a volunteer internship opportunity which ties course curriculum and concepts with service in the community. Students who participate create learning objectives around their course and connect them to the service experience. Service Learning helps students enhance course learning, gain valuable skills for employment and improve their views on civic engagement. Students can participate in a wide variety of service opportunities including delivering meals and providing companionship to seniors, helping at local blood drives and working in a K-12 classroom. Service Learning students serve a minimum of 15 hours over the semester with a registered community partner and will earn course credit, a certificate of recognition and co-curricular transcript notation.

Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program

MESA is an academic enrichment program that supports educationally disadvantaged students, including students from groups with low rates of college eligibility, to prepare for and excel in math, engineering and science majors and attain Bachelor of Science degrees from four-year institutions.

Geographic Information Science (GIS) Internship (GEOG 153)

Provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom instruction to real-world GIS problem-solving by working with a government or private agency. Contact Professor Kenneth Yanow for more information.

Student Paid Internships - California State Agencies

University Enterprises, Inc. contracts with state agencies to provide student interns from the various California colleges and universities. If you're motivated to learn more about your field of study in a real-world setting, then here is an opportunity to work with employers such as Caltrans, State Compensation Insurance Fund, Dept. of Health Care Services, etc..

HACU National Internship Program (HNIP)

If you are a student looking for a internship with a federal agency or corporation, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Internships may be for you. HACU seeks the best and the brightest to fill their many internship opportunities which help students develop into the next generation of dedicated public servants and business leaders. Students receive paid round-trip airfare, housing assistance and a weekly stipend.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)

During CHCI’s paid internships, promising Latino undergraduate students experience what it’s like to work in a congressional office or federal agency, while participating in weekly professional and leadership development and civic engagement through community service. Internships are offered year-round, you can apply for the program that best fits your college timeline and schedule. Your school may even give you academic credit for your internship experience.

Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP)

Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific), San Diego is looking for bright, motivated young men and women, who have an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  This is an excellent internship opportunity to work for  a local state-of-the-art research facility and learn in the following fields: atmospheric physics, electro-optics, underwater acoustics, engineering psychology, signal propagation, artificial intelligence, chemical oceanography, environmental and biological sciences.  

Space & Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SPAWAR) Summer Internships

This summer internship opportunity is coordinated by the School of Mathematics, Science & Engineering. STEM students who are interested in applying their academic training in a real-world work environment are encouraged to apply.  Students who are accepted will receive a stipend.   Please contact the School of MSE office for more information. 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Internships

NASA Internships are competitive awards that provide unique research and operational experiences   These opportunities serve students by integrating interns with career professionals emphasing mentor-directed, degree related tasks, while contributing to the mission and operations of NASA facilities. Internship opportunities are available throughout the year.