Internship Program
Put Your Knowledge to Work
Internship Search Process | Requirements | Companies
Internships give you an exciting opportunity to put your skills, knowledge, and experience to practical use. You learn U.S. business practices and approaches in the most direct way, giving you an advantage when you look for a new career, return to your current position, or apply to a graduate program.
IDP internships last four months and begin after you have successfully completed your IDP.
IDP students participate in our school-sponsored, unpaid internships in a wide-variety of San Francisco Bay Area companies, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Most students are placed in small to medium-sized companies, as these firms generally offer the greatest opportunity for a meaningful internship experience. Student interns have worked with organizations in the fields of advertising, computing, entertainment, e-commerce, finance and banking, information systems, healthcare, hospitality, international trade, marketing, public relations, and telecommunications. In the past, IDP interns have worked on unique projects such as
- creating a global stock presentation
- redesigning a company's website
- establishing contacts internationally to build a company's client base
- devising a software technology plan for a growing high-tech music database company
- meeting with ambassadors and global leaders
Internship Search Process
While you are an IDP student, you will be preparing to become an intern. During your initial academic program, you attend an internship orientation to learn about internship opportunities. You participate in a company fair to meet prospective internship providers and develop your interview skills. Last, but not least, you attend workshops to help you create an effective résumé.
An IDP internship is an academic program, so you maintain your status as a full-time student. You are supervised by an IDP instructor to ensure you meet the program's academic requirements. In addition, a supervisor monitors your performance and attendance as you serve as an intern. After you successfully complete the internship, you will be able to include this invaluable experience on your résumé. You may also receive recognition from your internship company in the form of a letter of reference. This combination of real-world experience and professional references will separate you from the competition when you enter or return to the workforce.
Requirements
In order to participate in the Internship Program, you must have
- an overall GPA (grade point average) of 2.5 or higher in your International Diploma Program
- no grade lower than a C in any one International Diploma Program course
- recommendation for candidacy by your internship coordinator
Companies
Internship students have been placed in a wide variety of Bay Area organizations, including:
Alupka Asset Management
Alamo Capital
Autodesk
Ballena Technologies
Bay Area World Trade Center
Beads Forever, LLC
California-Asia Business Council
Comcast Spotlight
Gracenote
Hollenbeck Associates
Mid-America Overseas
New Scale
Nichi Bei Times
Oakland Film Office
Rohm and Haas
San Francisco Chocolate Factory
Shaklee Corporation
Siemens
UBS
W Hotels
*Placement in an internship is not guaranteed and is subject to acceptance by a company.