Internship Resources & Scholarships
Internships are an important part of students’ experiential learning that helps build the necessary skills for a professional career. On this page you will find resources that will help you navigate what an internship is, resources to find internships, and scholarships for students completing internships.
Learn More About CDC Services and Hear Internship Success Stories
Check out more internship success stories below
Internship Success Story with David Ifediba
Internship Success Story with Jessica Cao
Internship Success Story with Lorraine Mae Alejandre
Internship Success Story with Nanthanann Nuon
Internship Success Story with Richard Hedges
Email or post your internship success story at cdc.internamb-sa1@csulb.edu or on LinkedIn with #LongBeachStateIntern.
An internship is a form of experiential learning that offers meaningful experience in a professional setting related to a student’s field of study or career interest.
Benefits of an Internship
- Network with professionals in fields that interest you
- Gain relevant work experience
- Receive training that builds on knowledge learned in the classroom
- Develop skills that are highly valued in the workplace
- Acquire supervised practical experience in a professional field
- Build relationships and find a mentor
Types of Internships
- Part-time or full-time
- Paid or unpaid
- Semester or year-long
- In-person or remote
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Internship Standards
- The experience must be an extension of the classroom
- The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings
- The experience has a defined start and end date, job description, and list of desired qualifications
- There are clearly defined learning objectives
- There is supervision by a professional with expertise, education and/or professional background in the field
- There is routine feedback from the supervisor
- There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the employer that support the learning objectives
For more information on internship standards, review the NACE Position Statement on Internships.
Evaluating an Unpaid Internship
Unpaid internships can provide students with meaningful professional experience, but not all unpaid internships are created equal. The Test for Unpaid Interns and Students includes seven criteria for evaluating unpaid internships under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is helpful to review when considering if you will engage in an unpaid internship. Important components of unpaid internships include receiving training similar to what would be given in an educational environment and the opportunity to receive academic credit for your work during your internship.
How to Earn Academic Credit
You may be able to earn academic credit for completing an internship, and if your internship is unpaid, your employer may even require it. Learn more about Academic Internships through the Academic Internships Office that provides more information for students seeking academic credit.
International students who wish to complete an internship must apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) through the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS). All international students interested in internships are encouraged to review the following Employment Information for International Students.
Need help with your internship search? Utilize Interstride, available in CareerLink, to access international-friendly jobs and internships, employer H-1B records, career and immigration resources, and networking tools to help you succeed in finding an internship.
View a comprehensive list of internship search resources on the CDC Job & Internship Search page.
CSULB Internship Programs
- Long Beach Community Internship Program: creates pathways for CSULB juniors and seniors who are Long Beach Promise students and graduates of Long Beach area high schools to engage in meaningful semester-long paid internship opportunities
- College Corps @ the Beach: works with campus and community partners to place students in two-semester paid internships focusing on key issues related to climate action and environmental justice, food insecurity, and K-12 education with an emphasis on climate literacy
- Project Resilience Internship Program: offers opportunities for AAPI students to gain workplace experience and learn career skills with industry partners and community organizations serving the AAPI community
Local, State and National Internship Programs
- City of Long Beach Internship Programs: provide diverse hands-on opportunities that offer a glimpse into the many career paths available within local government
- Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Internship Program: offers paid internships with corporations or federal agencies for students from all majors
- Pathways Internship Programs: provides internships with the U.S. Department of State to explore federal careers
- Virtual Student Federal Service: enables students to complete remote internships for the U.S. government
- National Park Service Youth Programs: outlines internship and volunteer opportunities with the National Park Service
- Capital Fellows Programs: offers nationally recognized public policy fellowships which provide unique experiences in policy-making and development in each branch of California's state government
- James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program: offers approximately 15 one-year fellowships to graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year to work as research assistants with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- BLAC Internship Program: introduces emerging Black and BIPOC talent to advertising through a 12-week paid internship for creative thinkers that takes place at ad agencies across the country
Looking for ways to build experience outside of or in addition to traditional internships? Micro-internships and virtual experience projects offer short-term, flexible opportunities for students to gain experience and explore their career interests.
Parker Dewey Micro-Internships
No experience? No problem. Micro-Internships are a great way to gain real-world experience, develop in-demand skills, build your network, and get paid while exploring career opportunities.
A Micro-Internship is a short-term, paid project completed for a real employer, typically requiring 10 to 40 hours of work. Opportunities are available year-round across a variety of industries and can help you explore career interests, strengthen your resume, and showcase your skills to potential employers.
Through Parker Dewey, You Can:
- Gain hands-on experience with real organizations
- Build transferable skills and expand your portfolio
- Explore different career paths and industries
- Earn money while developing professionally
- Access opportunities from employers ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies
Getting Started Is Easy
- Create a free Parker Dewey account
- Complete your profile
- Browse available opportunities
- Apply to projects that match your interests and skills
Ready to Get Started?
View instructions for accessing Parker Dewey on the CDC CareerLINK page.
Forage Virtual Experience Projects
Looking for a way to gain hiring skills and add relevant experience to your resume? Forage offers virtual experience projects designed by leading companies to help you develop your skills and gain a real understanding of different roles and industries. Each job simulation project offers self-paced modules, with tasks similar to what you would undertake during a traditional internship.
How Does It Work?
You will work through a series of resources and hypothetical tasks that are designed to simulate the sort of work you would undertake as an intern or full-time employee at your chosen organization. It is a unique opportunity for you to try out a career at your own pace and in your own time, from the comfort of your home.
It takes five to six hours to complete one project, and you can complete as many as you like. All experiences are completely free of charge for students and alumni from California State University, Long Beach.
Programs Include:
- Video instructions and real-life examples from employees within your chosen organization
- Work that reflects day-to-day tasks of interns and employees
- Curated resources to help you complete the tasks
What Are the Benefits?
- Sample what real life work at leading companies would be like
- Try out different types of work and discover which career path is right for you
- Build confidence and gain skills to get you ready for the workplace
- Boost your resume with a company-branded virtual experience program and get a personalized certificate for your LinkedIn profile
Ready to Get Started?
There are no lengthy application processes, as programs are free and accessible to all students and alumni. View instructions for accessing Forage on the CDC CareerLINK page.
Applying to internships is a multi-step process that includes researching internship opportunities in your field, creating a tailored resume, preparing for interviews and more. Check out the SUCCEED Job Search Model on the CDC Job & Internship Search page to learn about all of the necessary steps for an effective internship search.
Did you complete an internship during Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026? Share your experience in the 2026 Career Development Center (CDC) Internship Essay Contest for a chance to win a scholarship!
Two students from each of the seven colleges will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
Deadline
Friday, October 23, 2026
Participant Eligibility
- Be a currently enrolled CSULB student
- Have completed an internship, practicum, fieldwork experience, or student teaching placement during Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026 (at least 90 hours minimum)
- Be enrolled during Spring 2027 semester to receive the scholarship award
- Previous winners and CDC interns not eligible
- Participate in a required Career Counseling appointment if selected as a scholarship finalist. This appointment will provide an opportunity to reflect on your internship experience and professional development
To Enter the Contest
- Sign in to [Single Sign-On (SSO)]
- Select [CareerLINK]
- Click on your initials in the top right corner
- Select [Surveys]
- Open the 2026 Internship Essay Contest by clicking [Respond]
- Complete the form and in an essay of 750 words or less, reflect on your internship experience by addressing the following:
- Briefly describe the organization where you interned.
- What projects and assignments did you complete?
- What knowledge or skills from your coursework did you apply on the job?
- What new skills and abilities did you develop during the course of your internship?
- How did you stand out as an intern?
- What was your greatest accomplishment?
- How did your internship experience influence your career path?
- Submit your completed entry form or save your draft if you want to come back to it later
- Submissions must be completed and received by 11:59 PM on Friday, October 23, 2026
Note: The scholarship funding is disbursed through financial aid and may be reflected differently based on a student’s financial aid package.
For Additional Information
2025 Internship Essay Contest Winner
Mariana Ramirez Lemus
Major: Psychology
College of Liberal Arts
Brain Development Lab Intern at the University of Southern California
Excerpt of Winning Essay:
"Across these experiences, I learned that standing out as an intern doesn’t mean working in isolation; it means identifying what the lab needs most and using your strengths to meet those needs. […] My proudest accomplishment was watching other research assistants rely on the tools I created and noticing how my cultural and linguistic background made our lab’s work more inclusive."
The Manuel Perez Internship Success Scholarship supports students in gaining hands-on career experience through unpaid internships with nonprofit or government organizations.
Do you have an internship offer for Summer 2026? Is your internship unpaid and at a nonprofit or government organization? If so, apply for the opportunity to receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Deadline
Friday, June 5, 2026
Participant Eligibility
- Must be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or higher)
- Must be currently enrolled at CSULB
- Graduation date must be December 2026 or later
- Must have secured an unpaid internship in the nonprofit or government fields prior to applying for the Manuel Perez Internship Success Scholarship
- Internship must take place between May-August 2026
To Enter the Contest
- Sign in to [Single Sign-On (SSO)]
- Click on [CareerLINK]
- Select [Resources]
- Click on [Big Interview]
- Register using your CSULB email address
- In Big Interview, select the [Interviews] tab, select [Interview Assignments] and enter the following code: c182e8
- Follow the instructions to record your responses to the following questions:
- Let’s learn more about you. Provide a brief introduction of yourself, including your current major and educational background.
- Describe the organization where you will be completing your internship and your role. What specifically drew you to this organization or opportunity, and what do you hope to contribute or learn during your internship?
- Share three learning goals you hope to achieve by the end of your internship. For each goal, explain how you plan to accomplish it. Learning goals may include skills you want to develop or strengthen, industry knowledge you aim to gain, or professional relationships you hope to build within your field of interest.
- Looking ahead, what are your career goals after graduation? Please explain how completing this internship will enhance your education and help you move toward your future career plans.
