Internships
What is an Internship?
An internship is a professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work related to a student's field of study. Internships should have clearly defined learning objectives related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework. An internship provides exposure to career fields of interest without requiring a permanent commitment.
BHCC students earn academic credit for eligible internship experiences. With the support of the ICD team, students may either find their own internship opportunities or participate in the Learn and Earn Internship program.
How Will an Internship Benefit You?
- Gain marketable work experience and enhance your resume
- Improve professional and social skills while building self-confidence
- Explore career options
- Promote self-awareness of your interests and strengths
- Build contacts through networking
- Boost job offers after graduation
- Prepare yourself for a smoother transition into the workforce
Who is Eligible for an Internship for Academic Credit?
Students should meet with their academic advisor or with an ICD staff member to determine if an internship is a required or optional component of their degree program, and to understand how an internship could fit into their academic plan. View all program requirements in the BHCC College Catalog.
To obtain academic credit for an internship experience, students must secure advanced ICD approval of their internship site and position, and complete an accompanying academic internship course in alignment with their degree program.
Internships at BHCC are more than gaining job experience. Our internship courses help students process their internship experiences and challenges them to think about structures and systems in their internship sites. Sharing experiences with the support of peers and faculty encourages critical thinking about work experience and career choices.
Internship Requirements
- Students must be in good academic standing as determined by BHCC and/or their program of study and not be in violation of the BHCC Student Code of Conduct
- We recommend that students complete a minimum of 12-24 credits in their program of study before starting an internship
- Obtain pre-approval for the internship site and position from an ICD staff member
- Register for the Internship course in your program of study during the semester you are completing your internship
- Complete a minimum of 150 hours during the semester you are completing your internship; about 10-15 hours per week depending on the length of the semester
- Report your internship in Handshake to obtain supervisor feedback and evaluation
How Do I Find Internship Opportunities?
BHCC’s exclusive online career portal is Handshake, where students can search and apply for internships, jobs, and volunteer opportunities. To search for internship opportunities, log into Handshake using your BHCC credentials. For more information about completing your profile, check out the following guides:
Connect with ICD to:
- Discuss an internship search strategy
- Update your resume and application materials
- Determine whether an outside internship is eligible for academic credit
- Explore opportunities through BHCC’s Learn and Earn Internship Program
Learn and Earn
BHCC’s Learn and Earn program places students in Greater Boston’s top corporations, small businesses, non-profit, and civic organizations for a hands-on learning experience. It introduces the possibility of new careers and new lives. Launched in 2012, the program has since expanded to serve over 100 students yearly, supported by over 35 partners. The program promotes student accessibility, diversity, retention, and degree completion.
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 to care for their families and other financial obligations.
Students also receive a travel stipend to ensure access to reliable transportation to get to their workplaces. Offering a travel stipend removes an often-identified financial barrier for students.
Key Information
- The Learn and Earn program offers paid internships with partners committed to the professional development of BHCC interns
- Pay is at least $18/hour with a one-time travel stipend
- Students must complete a required 3-credit internship course INT-299
Eligibility Requirements
- Academic status: active degree or certificate-seeking BHCC student enrolled in a minimum of two courses during the semester of internship completion (the required internship course counts as one of these)
- Ideal candidates will have completed a minimum of 12 credits
- International Students (F-1 Visa):
- Must have completed a fall and spring semester of at least 12 credits each
- Must have an internship course listed in their program of study
Application Process
Connect with a Learn and Earn Coordinator to:
- Discuss potential opportunities that align with your interests and degree program
- Review and update your resume (workshops and 1:1 appointments are available)
- Create a Handshake profile
- Upload your updated resume to your Handshake profile
- Apply for Learn and Earn Internship postings in Handshake for which you are eligible
- Complete a mock interview with a Learn and Earn Coordinator - this is strongly encouraged to help you prepare for conversations with employers