Tabetha Martin-Howard
Social Media Editor
Participating in an internship or micro-internship can benefit students in countless ways. Not only does it add valuable experience to your resume, helping you stand out from other applicants, but it also provides real-life experience that can help you make important decisions about your career path.
Broward College’s Employment Solutions team can assist you in obtaining credit for internships and provide resources to help you find great opportunities through employment platforms.
There are several requirements you must fulfill to receive school credit for an internship, such as being currently enrolled in a degree program at Broward College, maintaining a 2.0 GPA, completing 24 college credits, attending a mandatory orientation, and, depending on your program, completing prerequisite courses before enrolling in the internship course. Students should reach out to their advisors, the Employment Solutions team, and the Financial Aid department if they receive aid.
Handshake is a job placement platform where employers can post job listings for Broward College students and alumni. Typically, there are over 100 internships available, including the recently partnered Disney internship program. Students can also find their own internships through platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, which are great resources.
Students can still obtain internships throughout their educational journey to enhance their resumes, even if they aren’t eligible to receive course credit. While you will still benefit from the experience, you won’t receive credit if you don’t go through the proper channels when completing the internship. Broward College offers internship opportunities through its IT program in which students work on campus in IT as well as the Business pathway. Students are encouraged to explore and apply for these internships. The eligibility requirements for these programs may differ, so it’s best to reach out to each department to see how you can qualify.
Some internships are paid, while others are unpaid. Regardless of the type, students are required to pay for the three-credit internship course, complete 144 work hours, and fulfill all course assignments. The Broward College website’s internship section explains more about the ‘Internship EDGE Program.’ https://www.broward.edu/career/internships.html You can also schedule appointments with the Employment Solutions team and explore paid internships and microinternships in the internship section.
Internships typically last 8-12 weeks, whereas micro-internships are shorter-term, paid opportunities that students can complete through Parker Dewey with various employers. Students typically complete 15-20 hours per micro-internship, and they pay around $250-$400 per micro-internship, depending on the employer. The deadlines for micro-internships are more flexible and can extend over several weeks, unlike traditional internships where you might be expected to work up to 40 hours a week. When applying for micro-internships, the goal is to apply to several and broaden your horizons within your chosen educational pathway.
Beyond gaining experience, academic credit, and the ability to explore different career options, students also get the opportunity to network with professionals in their field. Finding the right internship or micro-internship can be challenging and may take time, so students are strongly encouraged to be patient and persistent when exploring internship opportunities.
martt148@mail.broward.edu
