
Internships are a great way for students to gain experience and understanding of expectations in a professional setting. While some internships are paid, others are unpaid. Students at the University of California who are interested in interning may be able to do so through the UCOP and UCPath Student Internship Program, which is open to current and recently graduated UC undergraduate and graduate students. The program offers both part-time and full-time internships, and interns are paid wages. However, in some limited situations, internships may be unpaid if they are provided in partnership with a degree-granting educational institution that provides academic credit. Additionally, some UC campuses offer scholarships to help offset the financial burden of completing an unpaid internship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| University | University of California, University of California, Davis, University of California, Riverside, University of Cincinnati |
| Internships | Paid and unpaid internships are available |
| Unpaid internships | Students may receive academic credit or a scholarship |
| Paid internships | Students may receive academic credit or a wage |
| Academic credit | Available for internships that align with academic goals |
| Micro-internships | Available through UCR's partnership with Parker Dewey |
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What You'll Learn

Unpaid internships at UC Denver
While internships are a great way to gain experience and understanding of expectations in a professional setting, unpaid internships can be a financial burden for students. For the 2022-23 school year, over a third of the internships (36%) processed through the Experiential Learning Center (ELC) at the University of Colorado Denver were unpaid.
The ELC cannot require employers to pay their interns, but they do offer the Unpaid Internship Support Scholarship to help offset the financial burden for students completing unpaid internships. Scholarship awards can be up to $4,500 each semester, depending on the number of internship hours completed during the semester.
Students who have benefited from the Unpaid Internship Support Scholarship include Meti Merdassa, a business student who completed an unpaid internship in the Spring of 2023. Merdassa had to complete a 150-hour internship requirement while also working a part-time job and taking 7 classes. She describes the scholarship as one of the best things to happen to her, as it allowed her to work, study, and complete her internship without struggling financially.
Another student, Connor Tyree, a Criminal Justice major, shares a similar story. Tyree had the opportunity to intern at a criminal defense law firm downtown but, like most internships in the criminal justice field, it was unpaid.
Despite the financial support offered by the ELC, it is important to recognize the inequities of unpaid internships and the need for all internships to be paid. According to NACE, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, students who complete paid internships tend to make upwards of $20,000 more than those who complete unpaid internships. Additionally, paid interns are offered jobs at a higher rate than unpaid interns. Unpaid interns may also struggle to balance their internship hours with their paying jobs, leading to financial difficulties.
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UC Davis internships
The Career Center facilitates a campus-wide internship program, with thousands of internships on offer. These internships are supervised work-learn experiences in a professional environment, helping students develop skills and knowledge in their field of interest. Internships can be full-time or part-time, and are ideally paid, although unpaid internships are also available. Students can receive academic credit for internships, which requires a faculty sponsor, and the Career Center assists with this process.
The university recommends utilizing platforms like Handshake, LinkedIn, and Indeed to find internship opportunities. Students are also encouraged to visit the websites of specific companies or organizations they are interested in, as some openings may not be posted on job boards. UC Davis also offers on-campus jobs, primarily posted on Handshake, and students can meet with advisors to discuss strategies for finding internships.
Overall, UC Davis internships provide valuable opportunities for students to gain practical experience, build relationships with professionals, and enhance their competitiveness in the job market.
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UCR internship credits
The University of California, Riverside (UCR) offers internship opportunities to its students, which can be paid or volunteer positions. UCR encourages students to document their internships within the first 10 days of being hired to ensure a clear understanding of the supervisor's expectations.
UCR students can apply for academic credit for their internships or pursue them for professional development. To receive academic credit, students must complete the necessary steps before the quarter for which they are seeking credit and no later than two weeks after the quarter has started. Students must determine whether their major department offers a 198-I, 298-I, or 398-I course and if their internship is eligible for credit within their major. If not, they can work with their academic advisor to identify a related department that offers these courses.
The 198-I, 298-I, and 398-I courses are available for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral/postgraduate students, respectively. Each department has different policies and rules regarding internship credits, so students should refer to the UCR General Catalog or consult an instructor who can sponsor them.
Additionally, UCR has partnered with Parker Dewey to offer micro-internships, providing students with short-term, hands-on professional experiences. These micro-internships complement traditional internships and allow students to explore various career paths.
UCR also offers the Capital Internship program, providing students with opportunities to earn course credit for substantive internships that align with their academic and career goals. This program facilitates partnerships that enhance students' professional growth and academic learning.
In summary, UCR provides its students with various internship opportunities, including paid and volunteer positions, and offers academic credit for eligible internships. Students can also explore micro-internships and specialized programs like the Capital Internship program to gain valuable professional experiences and enhance their academic and career prospects.
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UCOP student internships
The University of California, Office of the President (UCOP) offers student internships that provide experiential education to UC undergraduates and graduate students. These internships are designed to offer practical skills development, related training, and work experience in a professional setting. The UCOP internships are typically short-term and may be part-time or full-time, with a fixed duration.
The UCOP and UCPath Student Internship Program is specifically tailored for current and recently graduated UC undergraduates and graduate students. The program offers a unique opportunity for students to gain valuable work experience and income while also contributing to their experiential learning journey. The internships can last from 10 to 12 weeks, with start dates aligning with students' school schedules.
While most UCOP internships provide wages to the students, there are limited situations where the internship may be unpaid. In such cases, the internship is often provided in partnership with a degree-granting educational institution that offers academic credit. Students can also explore external scholarship opportunities or apply for academic credit through their academic departments to offset any financial burden.
The application process for UCOP internships involves students completing a job application for a specific internship opening on UCOP's Job Board. Additionally, UCOP contributes to the overall internship experience by assisting with onboarding and offboarding processes, as well as organizing intern-specific events.
UCOP internships are an excellent opportunity for students to gain practical skills and build a strong foundation for their future careers. Through these internships, students can develop valuable connections and enhance their academic and career goals.
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University of Cincinnati internships
The University of Cincinnati offers a variety of internship opportunities for its students. The School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) provides an Internship Program that allows students to explore professional interests related to political science and international affairs. Students can gain valuable experience and transferable skills while earning academic credit. Placements are available with various agencies and organizations, including government and political offices, law firms, and international bodies such as the UN and the World Bank.
While some internships are unpaid, there are also opportunities for paid experiences through the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS). Students can earn academic credit for their co-op placements, ranging from 0 to 12 credits, by enrolling in online reflection courses. During these courses, students set professional goals, reflect on their experiences, and integrate their learning.
The University of Cincinnati also encourages students to seek out prestigious national internships with organizations such as the State Department, U.S. embassies, the Department of Defense, the FBI, and the CIA. These internships provide valuable experience and can help students launch successful careers, even if they do not directly lead to job offers.
In addition to traditional internships, the University of Cincinnati offers micro-internships or short-term projects through partnerships with organizations like Parker Dewey. These projects allow students to gain hands-on professional experience and explore different career paths without committing to a full-time internship.
Overall, the University of Cincinnati provides a range of internship opportunities, including paid and unpaid options, to help students gain valuable skills and experience in their fields of interest.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the specific internship and the department offering it. While some internships are paid, many are unpaid.
The UCOP and UCPath Student Internship Program is open to current and recently graduated UC undergraduate and graduate students. These internships are paid and provide students with work experience and income.
Some departments offer scholarships to help offset the financial burden of completing an unpaid internship. For example, the Experiential Learning Center (ELC) at UC Denver offers the Unpaid Internship Support Scholarship, which awards up to $4,500 per semester to students completing unpaid internships.











































