Having an internship gives you the opportunity to:

• Explore a career field of interest
• Learn new job skills and gain experience
• Demonstrate related experience on a résumé
• Discuss experience at a job interview
• Obtain references from professionals in the field
• Develop contacts for future employment
• Become better prepared for a competitive job market
• Earn possible academic credit or stipends

Available Internships

CDS has extensive internship opportunities in all majors and career fields for students to gain pre-professional work experience related to career interests:

Internship Meetings

Check the Career Development Services main webpage under "Upcoming Events" for internship meetings and organization information sessions.

Internship Guide

The Internship Guide (PDF)  & Internship Program Pamphlet will help you prepare for the application process for internship placement.

Individual Appointments

For internships, schedule a virtual appointment with the Internship Coordinator by email at career@hunter.cuny.edu  to discuss internship procedures and resources, academic credit options and the application process. We recommend that you apply as early as possible.

The Test for Unpaid Interns (according to the Dept. of Labor website)

There are some circumstances under which individuals who participate in “for-profit” private sector internships or training programs may do so without compensation.The Supreme Court has held that the term "suffer or permit to work" cannot be interpreted so as to make a person whose work serves only his or her own interest an employee of another who provides aid or instruction.This may apply to interns who receive training for their own educational benefit if the training meets certain criteria.The determination of whether an internship or training program meets this exclusion depends upon all of the facts and circumstances of each such program.

The following six criteria must be applied when making this determination:

1. The internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment;
2. The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern;
3. The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff;
4. The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern; and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded;
5. The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship; and
6. The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship.

Factors to Consider In Evaluating Internship Offers (click for more information)

In applying for unpaid internships, in particular at for-profit businesses, it is important to do your best to make sure that the opportunity is one that will primarily benefit you the student, rather than the business or organization. This is because you are there to receive education and training. But you should also know that it is unlawful for for-profit businesses to use unpaid interns to displace regular, paid employees.

International Students

Students who are FI - (Student Visa) status must inform the International Student Office (Room 1109 Hunter East) of plans to engage in an internship in order that the appropriate paperwork can be processed. See http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/is/ for more detailed information.