Providing Meaningful Experiential Learning with Local Organizations
- Internships are typically 10 weeks. Student participation cannot exceed 38 hours per week and 380 hours TOTAL
- Each student placement is required to complete a minimum of 16 hours of professional development to successfully fulfill the placement requirements. A formal professional development course, offered by the Career Center, will be provided and must be completed by each student as part of their placement
- Students must be North Carolina residents in order to participate
- The students' hourly/weekly commitment is determined by the site and student and is able to include weekends
- All opportunities are for undergraduate students only (unless alternate qualifications are required)
- In-person, hybrid, and remote opportunities are a consideration, but participation is dependent upon the content of the internship
- Internship opportunities should provide the student with the opportunity to build career related experience and develop usable skills for the future
- Internship opportunities must be feasible without the need for professional licensure
- The Career Center will compensate students at a rate of $12 per hour for their participation in this program
- Real-World Experience: Internships provide hands-on experience in your field of study, helping you to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to actual work situations. This makes you more appealing to future employers who want candidates with practical skills.
- Networking Opportunities: Internships allow you to meet professionals in your industry, which can lead to mentorships, job recommendations, or even future job opportunities. Building a network early on can give you an edge when it comes time to apply for full-time jobs after graduation.
- Improved Job Readiness: Through internships, you gain insight into the workplace culture, learning key soft skills like communication, teamwork, and time management. This experience makes you better prepared to transition smoothly from college to a full-time job.
- Resume Enhancement: Employers often prioritize candidates who have internship experience because it signals initiative, work ethic, and a commitment to gaining practical skills. Having an internship shows that you’ve gone beyond academic work to gain relevant, real-world exposure.
- Clarifying Career Goals: Internships give you a chance to explore different industries or roles, helping you decide if you’re on the right career path or if you need to adjust your focus. This can save you time and effort in the long run by guiding your decisions post-graduation.
- Increased Employability: Many companies hire former interns for full-time positions after graduation. Even if they don't, the experience gained during the internship can make you a more competitive candidate when applying for other jobs.
- Skill Development: Internships often offer the opportunity to develop both technical and interpersonal skills, from using industry-specific software to handling client interactions or managing projects.
- Stronger References: Having worked closely with professionals in the field, you’ll likely be able to secure solid references or letters of recommendation that can vouch for your work ethic, capabilities, and potential.
- Competitive Edge: In competitive job markets, having internship experience can differentiate you from other candidates who may only have academic qualifications.
A: The sites' roles will be made available in Hire-A-Niner to students beginning Monday, March 31st, and will close on Friday, April 25th, 2025.
A: Pay close attention to your emails (both personal and student)! A member from the Career Center (or selected site) will contact you directly via email to arrange for an interview.
If selected, you will go through our internal onboarding process. This will require that you coordinate a meeting with HR and bring all appropriate onboarding documents. Please see the Student Employment Website for a complete list of acceptable documents.
After completing onboarding, formal start and completion dates will be arranged and communicated to both the site and the student.
A: Each SECU Summer Intern will earn $12 per hour, working approximately 38 hours per week for 10 weeks. After completing the Student Employment onboarding process (which will provide you with access to our Web Time Entry system) you will be advised of how many hours you’re permitted to work each week. As the student, you will be responsible for logging your hours each day/week and will be paid on the same schedule as any University employee would be (twice monthly).
A: This program is facilitated by the Career Center and your best point of contact would be Tyler Calloway.
A: Placement is anticipated to begin Monday, May 19th, 2025 and expected to end by Friday, July 25th, 2025
A: Not necessarily. The answer to this question lies within the post itself. Some roles will have extraordinary flexibility and allow you to work whenever you’d like and others may require that work be completed within the standard hours of operation.
A: You get to choose which opportunity suits you best, but you can only select one!
As part of the SECU SUmmer Internship Program, we expect students to maintain professionalism and integrity throughout their placement. To ensure a positive experience for all parties, the following guidelines are in place:
Responsiveness:
Students are required to maintain regular communication with both their employer/site and the Career Center. Failure to respond to inquiries or provide status updates in a timely manner may result in disciplinary action.
Falsification of Timesheets:
Any instance of falsifying timesheets or submitting inaccurate hours will result in immediate action. If it is determined that time has been falsely reported, the student will be subject to disciplinary action, including removal from the program.
Proof of Work Completion:
Students must be able to provide proof of work completed upon request. This may include, but is not limited to, work logs, project submissions, or confirmation from the employer/site. If a student is unable to demonstrate that work has been completed, this will be considered grounds for removal from the program.
Disciplinary Action:
If a student is found to be unresponsive, has falsified timesheets, or is unable to provide proof of work completion, they will be immediately removed from the program and prohibited from applying for any SECU Summer Internship placements through Hire-A-Niner for the following semester.
These rules are designed to uphold the professional standards of the program and ensure that both students and employers have a positive and productive experience. Please direct any questions to the Career Center for clarification.