Student Resources

There are numerous ways to secure an internship:

• Begin your search on Handshake, our online career networking system, which is updated daily with new employment opportunities.
• Set up an internship search appointment with a Career Advisor to develop an action plan for your search.
• Participate in career events and take advantage of networking opportunities with employers and others willing to share important information on the job search can greatly assist in securing a best-fit internship.
• Discuss your plans with faculty and academic advisors and browse other search engines and job postings can also be helpful.
• The Grasselli Library & Breen Learning Center also has resources available to you.

This process takes time so begin several months before you would ideally like to begin the internship.

Reciprocity: Using Other Career Centers

The Jesuit Career Center Consortium is a partnership of Jesuit university and college Career Centers in which students can receive a uniform set of services and assistance with internship and job searches from the Career Centers for all students and recent alums at the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities nationally. For guidelines on the reciprocity process and contact information, click HERE.

See document below for more information regarding the Jesuit Career Center Consortium

• Reciprocity- Using other Career Services.pdf

Internships enhance your classroom learning and increase your marketability to employers and graduate programs. You develop new skills, both technical and interpersonal, in addition to learning how to conduct yourself in a professional environment. For many, it is a confirmation of a correct career choice while others discover the desire to explore alternative career options. You also build and/or expand your professional network. All John Carroll University students are strongly encouraged to complete at least one internship.

Can I get academic credit for my internship?

Yes! Students of all majors are eligible to enroll for 1-3 credit hours for their internship experience. Students may also elect to receive a zero credit transcript notation for their experience. The internship courses are designed to promote individual career development and self-awareness by integrating classroom learning with practical work experience.

What are the eligibility requirements for academic internships?

• Must be at least sophomore status with a minimum 2.2 GPA
• Must be able to acquire 135 work hours from the time of registration until the end of the semester in which you will be receiving credit.

Important things to note:

• No retroactive credit will be given.
• You MUST submit materials 5 business days before the add/drop deadline.
• You MUST register prior to the add/drop deadline for the semester in which you will be completing an internship. Please view the academic calendar for specific dates.
• If completing an internship during the summer, you may either take it for summer term credit and pay per credit hour or you may do a 0 credit transcript notion (at no cost).
• Not all internships will qualify for CE course credit. Please contact the Assistant Director for Academic-Internships Logan Vess (lvess@jcu.edu) to verify eligibility.
• All courses are Pass/Fail. 1-3 credit courses count as general elective credits.
• Students may complete a maximum of four Career Education credits in total, with a maximum of three for internships.

What is required of me for each option of the academic internship?

• 1 credit option: Job Description, Employer Authorization, Internship Objectives, Performance Evaluation, Online Reflection through CANVAS,1 Informational Interview, Updated Resume.
• 2 credit option: Job Description, Employer Authorization, Internship Objectives, Performance Evaluation, Online Reflection through CANVAS, 2 Informational Interviews, Updated Resume. 
• 3 credit option: Job Description, Employer Authorization, Internship Objectives, Performance Evaluation, Online Reflection through CANVAS, 2 Informational Interviews, 6 page Reflection Paper, Updated Resume.
• 0 credit option:  Employer Authorization, Job Description, Internship Objectives, Updated Resume, Performance Evaluation.

How do I register for an academic internship?

• Complete the application form on Handshake Experiences.

• At the end of the application, upload your pre-internship resume, internship objectives, and job description. 

Login to Handshake now to schedule an appointment to help you with your internship search or call us at 216.397.4237.

Scholarship Award for Completed Internships

Funding for upcoming unpaid or low-pay internships

The Belda Fund

• Funding is available for students doing unpaid or low-pay internships through The Belda Fund Internship/Research Stipend. The application process for this fund is not guaranteed and this award has specific guidelines that must be met. 
  • Learn more about the guidelines for application here
  • 2024 Summer Belda Fund
• Please refer to the most recent information and application materials. No awards will be made after an internship has been completed. Students must apply and register for an internship course in order to receive an award.

Lavelle Internships

Lavelle Internships in Non-Profit Organizations are funded through the Robert M. Ginn Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility and provide funding for students to complete an administrative or managerial internship at a local, private, non-profit organization. Only unpaid internships are eligible for funding through this program and must involve at least 135 work hours during the funded semester. Students must have a GPA of 2.20 or higher, an academic status of sophomore or higher, and be registered for an internship course with the Center for Career Services or through an academic department.

Applications are due 1 week before the start of the term in which the internship will be completed (fall, spring, or summer). At most, 10 awards are granted per semester. Selection criteria include internship quality and appropriateness of work to the student's academic program.

To apply, students must complete the application and be registered in one of the campus internship courses, such as BPD 490 or CE 199. Please contact Laura Atkins at latkins@jcu.edu or 216.397.4391   -or-   Logan Vess at lvess@jcu.edu or 216.397.4433 with questions.

Questions? Contact Logan Vess, Assistant Director of Academic-Internships at lvess@jcu.edu.