Office of Student Success

Paid Internships

Events Calendar

Interested in learning more about the internship process? It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Check out our calendar below for our information sessions to Learn, Prepare, and Apply to internships!

Internships Database

Please Note: If you are applying to any of these internships as part of a fellowship program, send a draft resume to Fellowships Coordinator Christine Garmendiz (cgarmendiz@ccny.cuny.edu), along with the name of the internship(s) you wish to apply to.


If you are not part of a fellowship, send your resume to Internships Coordinator Dally Matos (dmatos1@ccny.cuny.edu), along with the name of the internship(s) you wish to apply to.

The Importance of Internships

Internships are an excellent way to gain experience in a field of interest while simultaneously gaining valuable work skills. Interning provides college students with invaluable opportunities to learn about their career interests and develop professional networks. By taking advantage of these opportunities, students can increase their chances of landing jobs after graduation and begin building a foundation for future success.

According to statistics from SmallBizGenius, 70% of employers offer ongoing, full-time jobs to successful interns. Moreover, students who have successfully completed internships in the past receive 16% more job offers than those who didn’t, and start at a 6% higher rate..

Through a generous grant, the Colin Powell School is able to provide paid internship experiences to hundreds of students annually, up to 300 hours at $18. By eliminating the stressors and obstacles of an unpaid internship, students can have more opportunities to engage with their communities and learn valuable skills that will shape their future. The Public Service Career Hub has monthly virtual Paid Internship Program information sessions. Check out our calendar below to find out when the next one is!

Internships Overview

The following are some examples of how internships can benefit college students:

Build Confidence

College students have gained so much valuable knowledge and skills, yet don’t have many ways to practice them until they are in the workforce. An internship is a place where you can begin practicing what you are learning in the classroom AND have a learning curve. Internship sites both expect you to have some skills to bring to the table, and to have a lot to learn. Your supervisor will know to provide extra guidance and explanation not just about the work, but how the work gets done. All of this will help you overcome imposter syndrome and boost your confidence.

Gain Experience

College classes, volunteer and non-career jobs like working in retail or the service industry can get you started on the skills and knowledge for a career job, but internships will immerse you in the world of career-pathway work. You will learn the dos and don’ts of office environments as well as gain an understanding of organizational structure and culture. Most employers in career-pathway jobs expect you to have some experience in an office setting, so they don’t have to train you from scratch.

Develop Professional Networks

An internship can give you the chance to meet people who share similar experiences and interests. These connections can lead to networking opportunities later in life. It can take time to build professional connections, especially for first-generation college students. An internship is one of the best first steps to build a network in your field of study, which can help you land a career job after graduation.

Learn about Career Interests

College students can often have lots of different career interests, but might be confused on which path to pursue. An internship gives you the opportunity to explore different career options and find out if you enjoy working in a particular field

Earn Money

Being a college student is expensive! An internship can allow you to earn money while learning about your career interests.

Program Contact

Director

Maya Gutierrez (she/her)

Program Contact

Career Coach

Ikenna Ugwu (he/him/his)

frequently asked questions

Paid Internship Program

An internship is similar to a job in a professional organization, with responsibilities to complete projects toward fulfilling its goals or mission. Organizations that host interns are willing to provide on-the-job training for their projects, and dedicate a supervisor to support your learning. Internship opportunities are shared out just like jobs, and you would apply to and interview for them the same way you would a job. The primary differences between a job and an internship is that organizations understand that interns are not bringing full expertise to the project and provide training and guidance in order to complete it, and that interns are paid a “stipend” instead of a salary usually in one or two lump sums.

What Students are Saying

    Melodie Perez

    Summer 2022 Intern

    “This resource allowed me to successfully complete my internship as an alcohol and substance abuse counselor at Argus Community without having to worry about how I would pay for food or transportation. I was able to focus all my time and energy into gaining as much experience and knowledge as possible from my internship and left with an even greater excitement to continue serving the substance abusing population.

      Yatri Baniya

      Summer 2022 Intern

      This paid internship was an immense push towards my dreams and goals. As a person from a low-income immigrant background, this opportunity gave me a much-needed break from my part-time work in the hospitality industry and gave me time and finance to pursue my true dream of working at a non-profit contributing to community development. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity.

        Valerie Portillo

        Summer 2022 Intern

        I gained valuable experience that will help me to build the life that I want (while I help others do the same), I have a double major (in Psychology and Sociology, with a minor in theater), and most importantly, I am excited for what the future holds for me.

          Tara Snover

          Summer 2022 Intern

          Given my background as a low-income first-generation college student, I learned over time that my shot at someday working for a think tank was very slim. My participation in the Climate Policy fellowship and your financial support put this opportunity within reach.

          Non-profits & Unpaid Internships

          If you are volunteering for a non-profit, we may be able to convert it to a paid internship.

          If you have an unpaid internship, we may be able to cover a stipend of $18/hour for up to 300 hours.

          For more information, contact Maya Gutierrez or book a meeting!

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