Internship Opportunities and Work Experience

Internship Opportunities and Work Experience

There are two types of internship opportunities available through the Business Certificate programs.  With the Business Essentials program, students are placed in an internship position within a department at UCSD.  In the Business Management programs, students seek internships at companies in the San Diego community with the help and guidance of the program director.  All internships are designed to introduce students to the American workplace and help them better understand business practices in the U.S.

Business Management Internship

The Internship Experience

One of the most rewarding experiences that students are involved in after being accepted into the Business Management Certificate program is an unpaid 120-hour internship with one of San Diego’s dynamic companies.  San Diego’s economy is one of diversity, made up of many start-ups, and small and mid-size companies in a variety of industries.  International trade is a major contributor to San Diego’s dynamic economic performance, as well as organizations associated with manufacturing, military and defense, and the multi-billion dollar visitor and hospitality industry. Emerging growth areas include telecommunications, electronics, computers, software, and biotechnology.  San Diego is home to five Fortune 1000 companies, including Qualcomm, Sempra Energy, SAIC, Jack-in-the-Box, and Leap Wireless.

The purpose of our internship is to provide the student with an opportunity to build his or her resume with excellent, hands-on work experience with a reputable company in San Diego, and the confidence to pursue long-term goals.  UCSD Extension's students have built an excellent reputation, and we are fortunate to work with the following companies:

  • 91X Radio
  • Center for Sustainable Energy
  • Cricket Communications
  • Geary Interactive
  • Hilton Hotels
  • Holiday Inn
  • Jack-in-the-Box
  • LG Electronics
  • Merrill Lynch
  • Mitchell International
  • NBC
  • NYCA
  • Qualcomm
  • Red Cross
  • Reef Brazil
  • San Diego Union Tribune Newspaper
  • San Diego World Trade Center
  • San Diego Zoo
  • Sierra Club
  • Surfshot Magazine
  • Synergy Marketing
  • US Grant Hotel
  • and many others

The Internship Process

To prepare for their internship, students participate in classroom work during their first quarter, called Directed Studies (worth 2 credits), to ensure that their resumes are competitive and flawless.  Students are offered tips and techniques on proper business etiquette for interviewing and correspondence, and they are given contact information for targeted companies with whom UCSD has built an extensive relationship.  They are coached on how to proceed through the process, including researching companies, making contact, following up, conducting an interview, and accepting an offer. 

Students perform their internships during their second quarter, usually between 12 and 18 hours per week, and attend class primarily at night. 

Business Essentials Internship

The Internship Experience

Students who have been accepted into the Business Essentials program will participate in an internship within a department at UCSD.  The 48-hour internship, taking place for 6 hours over 8 consecutive Thursdays, is intended to help entry-level students practice their English skills, gain work experience in an office environment, and be exposed to the American workplace in general.  Students will be involved in a variety of tasks that include clerical and administrative duties, market research, database maintenance, customer service, spreadsheet development, resume screening, and more.  The internship requires a professional commitment and is considered as part of a student’s overall grade.  Former students have worked in departments such as Business Affairs, the School of Medicine, Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities and Plant Services, Early Childhood Education and Development, Academic Affairs, and Extension.