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Internships

Internship Programs at SUNY Suffolk

Internship programs combine a classroom seminar or online seminar with supervised work experience related to a student's academic major and career direction.

Typically, students work an average of 6 to 10 hours a week, receive three (3) credits applicable to their degree (four (4) credits for CST288), and attend a weekly seminar. 

The hundreds of students at Suffolk who enroll in these programs each year have discovered many advantages, including:

  • Gaining valuable work experience while earning credit towards a degree.
  • Exploring potential career choices to determine individual potential to succeed.
  • Increasing future marketability by adding career-related work experience to your résumé.
  • Building networking skills in the business community.
  • Increasing potential for permanent employment in a chosen field.
  • Learning how to achieve excellence in the workplace by becoming a professional, highly motivated, career-focused employee.

 

 

 

About Internships

What is the range of pay?

Although monetary compensation is appreciated, this program is meant to provide a learning experience while earning credit. The college is mindful of the guidelines for Fair Labor Standards for Internship Programs as established by the U.S. Department of Labor. Pay is determined by the employer and often depends on the level and type of skills required. Positions in many fields are unpaid. Always discuss pay before accepting any position.

Where are the positions located?

The majority of students work within a 20-mile radius of school or home, but it may be necessary for you to travel further for the experience that suits you best. Some students travel into NYC, to Florida for the Disney co-op, to Albany to work in the State Senate; we have had students as far as Sydney, Australia and Rabat, Morocco. The possibilities are endless, but only if you search them out.

What type of Internships does Suffolk offer?

The co-ops/interns we offer are a reflection of what's going on in the world of work. They may be with large companies, home-based businesses, government, schools, or other non-profit organizations. The degree of responsibility varies with each placement, depending on the needs of the employer as well as the student's skills, maturity, and academic background. The description of your experience should be discussed before accepting the offer.

I already have a job. How can I fit another one into my schedule?

The majority of students attending Suffolk are employed, so most of our students are in this same situation. Remember, since this is a credit-bearing course it is considered part of your course load; therefore, you can schedule the time needed as you would for any other course. Remember the time you spend in the field is in place of additional class time, research, testing etc. In addition, the employers who hire our co-op and internship students understand that being a student comes first so, except in certain situations, they are generally willing to work around your school schedule. Please be aware that blocks of time of 4-5 hours are preferred by most employers.

What is the purpose of the co-op seminar?

 The seminar gives students the opportunity to thoroughly evaluate the learning experience and their performance on the job, to develop workplace skills in such areas as communications and problem solving, and to learn from the experiences of their classmates. In addition it keeps students directly connected to a faculty member from the program and provides support for issues and as well as professional development.

When are co-op classes offered?

Class schedules differ for each program and campus and often change from one semester to the next. Check the schedule of classes for current days and times.

When should I enroll in a class?

It is best to speak to the co-op representative on your home campus, or area faculty in your curriculum, well before enrolling in a co-op program (i.e., during priority registration would be the perfect time). Some of the classes will be blocked for enrollment until you have emailed to internships@sunysuffolk.edu. Be sure to include your name, student ID number and the designated course. This prescreening assures you that you are eligible, that you are in the right seminar, and that the co-op representative will have ample time to work with you to find the right experience.

Am I able to continue working after a co-op or internship course?

Our students are often asked to stay on for part-time or full-time work after completing the program. Many employers and students use the cooperative education or internship placement as an opportunity to check each other out to see if a long-term commitment is desirable. Once you have completed the course requirements and the semester is over, it's up to you and the employer to discuss the terms of any future employment.

 

Ready To Enroll in an Internship Course?

View Steps to Enroll

 

More Information

Visit the Career Services Office on your home campus to:

  • discuss areas of interest, prior work experience, academic background, availability, etc.
  • learn about workshops and sessions to assist in preparation for program; schedule the day and time that works for you
  • review positions currently available as well as other potential opportunities
  • review eligibility requirements (note that GPA and credit requirements vary by program)
  • review your SAIN report to see how credit earned can be applied to your degree

 

Career Resources

View the Career Services Resume and Interview Preparation Guide