Bunker Hill Community College

Bunker Hill Community College

Internship Frequently Asked Questions

In order to qualify for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), international students with F-1 Visas must meet the following criteria:

  • Completed two full-time semesters at BHCC
  • Enroll in an internship course that is directly related to the student’s academic program
  • Obtain an internship (this could be through Learn and Earn or another internship opportunity)
  • Complete all paperwork and processes required for being issued an I-20

Summer research opportunities are available for students interested in the STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Math) fields. Please contact Joye Thaller at stem@bhcc.edu for information regarding these opportunities.

Learn and Earn

Learn and Earn offers paid internships in corporations, civic organizations, small businesses, cultural organizations, and non-profits.

To get started:

  1. Create or update your resume.
  2. E-mail Internships@bhcc.edu to schedule a time to meet with a Learn and Earn Coordinator.

More about Learn and Earn

Learn and Earn began in Spring 2012 as a way to connect BHCC students to Greater Boston’s top corporations. Today, Learn and Earn students intern at corporations, civic organizations, small businesses, cultural organizations and non-profits.

Program Components

Internship Employers committed to the professional development of BHCC interns and diversifying their own workforce.

BHCC students have rich experience to offer employers. While many students come to BHCC straight out of high school, the average age of our students is 26 years old. Many of our students have extensive work and life experiences and are looking to transition into new fields. In addition to a range of previous work experience, our students bring their cultural strength to the workplace and can offer a diversity of thought and opinion to their jobs. When joined with the academic preparation students receive through their coursework at BHCC, our students contribute to their workplaces on many fronts.

Internship Course to help students develop skills and reflect on their work experiences.

Getting an internship is about more than just getting a job. Our internship courses help students process their internship experiences and challenge students to think about structures and systems in their internship sites. Sharing experiences with the supportive peers and faculty encourages critical thinking about work experience and career choices.

Students are paid for their internship in order to make interning a financial possibility for more students.

Many BHCC students report working full-time or part-time while enrolled in classes. Paid internships allow students to gain experience in their desired fields while earning money needed to take care of families and other financial obligations.

Students receive a travel stipend to ensure that students have reliable transportation to get to their workplaces.

Offering a travel stipend removes an often-identified barrier for students

Academic Internships

Several programs of study at BHCC have required and optional internships.

To get started:

  1. Reach out to the Internship Coordinator and set up a meeting to talk about what you are looking for in an internship site and set up your Handshake account.

  2. Visit lifemap to review your resume

  3. Meet with the Internship Coordinator for support during your internship search and for a mock interview

  4. Register for the Internship Course

  5. During the first week of class you will report your internship site into Handshake

  6. Enjoy your semester and the great experience you are getting at your internship site

Contact the Coordinator of Internships, for help with your search. The Internship and Learn and Earn Coordinators are located in B101E-G on the Charlestown Campus.

If your program of study requires an internship, it will be listed in your required courses on BHCCselfservice. You can also speak with an Advisor in LifeMap.

No, BHCC has relationships with companies and organizations all across Massachusetts. Our office will help you find an internship site of your interest. We will work with you throughout the application process, interview and your entire internship experience. Visit our Internships coordinators in B101E-G who will help you find internship sites that match your major and interests.

An internship is about more than just getting a job. As an intern you learn more about the career you plan to pursue, how people interact in the workplace and are prepared to grow in your career after leaving BHCC. Our internship courses provide opportunities for students to reflect on their experiences, plan for the future and give and receive support from peers and faculty. If you are interested in having an internship while at BHCC, plan ahead! In many cases, your internship class can be used as an elective.

At BHCC there is no GPA requirement to obtain an internship, however some companies or organizations may use GPA as a hiring criterion. There are ways other than your GPA that show you can be a valuable employee. For example, your previous work experience, coursework, or cultural experiences can make you a strong candidate for an internship. Please contact us to learn more about opportunities that do not have GPA requirements.

An internship can be an important learning experience that prepares you to grow in your career. Our Internships and Career Development staff are ready to work with you to determine if having an internship is the best path for you. It can be challenging to balance financial obligations (e.g. taking care of family and paying bills) while gaining new experience that can help you advance in your career. We have a number of paid internship opportunities available that may be able to help you achieve both goals. Please contact us at internships@bhcc.edu to talk more about these options.