Gain career experience
Form lasting professional connections and gain experience while earning academic credit.
The School of Social Transformation students are strongly encouraged to pursue an internship during their time at Arizona State University. The school closely supervises internships to ensure students are getting a professional experience that will help prepare them for a future career.
What is an internship?
An internship is more than a part-time job or volunteer position, but rather a short-term, hands-on, supervised work experience with a professional organization. It is designed to increase a student’s knowledge of a professional field through significant learning objectives. Internships are supervised by professionals with expertise directly related to the intern’s responsibilities. Responsibilities are project-based and relate to the student’s area of study, with minimal administrative or clerical tasks.
Why complete an internship?
- Gain professional experience in their field of study.
- Apply academic knowledge and skills to a professional environment.
- Build transferable skills necessary for a successful career, such as communication, teamwork and problem solving.
- Connect and network with industry professionals.
- Prepare for the transition from the role of student to the role of professional.
- Find special interest internships by scheduling an advising appointment with our internship coordinator
Information Sessions
FAQS
Internships are competitive because they are in great demand. You will need to identify and apply for an internship, just as you would for a job. It will be your responsibility to procure the internship prior to enrolling in a credit-bearing class. If needed, ASU’s Career and Professional Development Services can help you line up possible internship sites, write a cover letter, and prepare a resume.
- Prepare a cover letter and resume
- Career and Professional Development Services Website: Resources for students on both employment and internships. You will need to register with Handshake to utilize many of these resources.
- Resume Dropbox: Students and alumni can upload resumes and have it reviewed. VMock provides instant personalized resume feedback via an online platform that uses sophisticated algorithms and data science along with machine learning and artificial intelligence to assist you in optimizing your resume.
- Big Interview: Students and alumni can practice interviewing from the comfort of their own home. At the end, the students have the option to send the recording to a professional staff member for review and feedback.
- Search and apply for opportunities
- Internships can be found through Handshake, LinkedIn, networking, an SST internship coordinator, etc.
- Once you secure an internship, complete the enrollment process
- All paperwork must be received by the first day of classes for the term in which you would like to complete the internship. Click here to view the academic calendar.
- Schedule an advising appointment
- Schedule an appointment with the SST Internship Coordinator: (please choose Internship as the reason for scheduling). If your appointment is in-person, please bring the completed paperwork with you. If your appointment is via phone or Zoom, please e-mail the completed paperwork to SSTAdvising@asu.edu prior to your appointment.
- Complete Student Placement Agreement
- This is a sample of the agreement. The Internship Coordinator will send the Student Placement Agreement electronically to your internship site supervisor.
While there are many sources out there, we highly recommend using the resources below or reaching out to an organization you are interested in. You can also make an appointment with the internship coordinator to explore opportunities.
- Handshake: ASU’s official job and internship board
- LinkedIn: networking platform with internship postings
- ASU study abroad internships
- ASU Global Virtual Internship Program
- Arizona Legislative Intern Program
- City planning offices, legal offices, public relations, and archives
- Student newsletters and communications
- Networking with faculty and industry professionals
For additional support with finding special interest internships like women's rights, disability, human rights, political involvement, immigration, etc., schedule an internship advising appointment with our internship coordinator.
Yes, students are eligible to pursue an internship if they meet the following academic criteria:
- Have earned 45 credit hours with a 2.5 GPA or higher.
- All students must work with the School of Social Transformation’s internship coordinator to select, and be admitted to, an internship program.
While not all programs require an internship, they are strongly encouraged, as it will prepare students for future careers.
Students in the following degree programs are required to complete at least one professional-
level internship for credit:
- Asian Pacific American Studies BA
- Asian Pacific American Studies Undergraduate Certificate
- Women and Gender Studies BA
Students in the following degree programs may complete an internship or undergraduate
research experience:
- Human Rights Undergraduate Certificate
- Social Transformation Undergraduate Certificate
No. The hours that you work in your internship must be completed during the semester in which you register. Retroactive credit cannot be given for internships.
SST 484 is offered in C session during fall, spring, and summer terms. Remember, summer tuition applies.
Students completing an internship have the opportunity to earn three hours of academic credit.
To earn 3 credit hours you must work a total of 135 hours. During the fall and spring semesters, this works out to be about 9 hours a week on the job.
In addition to working your internship hours, you are required to register for SST 484/584. You are expected to complete career-related assignments, record all internship hours, and your site supervisor will be asked to submit one final evaluation about your performance during the semester.
Email SSTAdvising@asu.edu for the Internship Credit Application.
Yes. Many internships end up being not paid, but if you find an internship that is paid you can still earn academic credit for the internship.
Yes. SST 484/584 is a graded course where you receive a letter grade based on completion of hours and assignments.
Yes, you can do an internship in your area or find an internship position that is 100% virtual.
Testimonials
Danielle Quan, B.A. Justice Studies
Internship: Mesa Justice of the Peace, The Honorable Cecil Ash.
“During my time at the North Mesa Justice Court internship, an opportunity extended to me through the ASU Justice Studies Internship Program, I was able to garner connections and experience law in a whole new way. This experience is invaluable to any person looking to work in the justice field in the future. My advice to anyone considering an internship is to look through the listings with the ASU Justice Studies Internship Coordinator, as those opportunities will be vital to your resumes.”
Alejandro Oviedo, B.A. Business Law & Socio–Legal Studies Certificate
Internship: The Arizona Ombudsman Office Citizens Aide.
“Interning at the Arizona Ombudsman Office opened my eyes to the world of state government and how greatly it affects our society. Investigating the actions of large scale agencies such as the Department of Child Safety, the Department of Economic Security, and the Department of Health Services was challenging, engaging, and helped grow me as a person. Being equipped with a more thorough understanding of the structure and abilities of government, I feel I can now approach authorities with confidence and poise.”
Ana Alvarado Aguirre, B.A. Justice Studies
Internship: The Arizona Ombudsman Office Citizens Aide.
“My SST internship experience at Central Arizonans for a Sustainable Economy has been exceptional. I was able to explore my professional interests within immigration based on different situations. Knowing that I chose the correct major for my future career has been one of the many internship accomplishments I gained.”
Eva De La Cruz, B.A. Communications, Women and Gender Studies Minor & Human Rights Certificate
Internship: Arizona Department of Corrections-Office of Victim Services.
“Through my internship and my time at the School of Social Transformation, I was able to clearly outline my career path. I am now proud to say that I am working at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office in the division of Child and Family Safety.”
Janessa Doyle, B.S. Justice Studies
