Career and Transfer Connections partners with students, faculty and staff, industry professionals, and four-year university representatives to facilitate connections that support students’ career and transfer preparation. Our goal is to empower students with knowledge and equip them with tools to achieve their goals.
We provide resources and guidance to help students research careers, gain career experience, earn credit for internships, and hone their professional development skills, including resume writing. We also maintain up-to-date online resources, provide individual assistance, facilitate workshops, and host on-campus events.
To get started on researching careers that best fit your interests, skills and/or experience, consider using the following resources and/or reaching out to a counselor who can help you explore your interests and career goals in more depth.
If you’re looking to find a job and/or gain career experience in your chosen field, consider using the following resources to help you explore your options.
Being prepared is the best way to gain confidence in seeking a job and presenting yourself in the most professional manner possible. Consider using the following resources to prepare.
Schedule one-on-one appointments with admissions representatives from various universities. Book an appointment with university representatives during fall, spring and summer semesters.
Explore universities and learn about various transfer pathways with resources listed below.
Ready to apply? Visit the application pages for CSUs and UCs to submit an application and learn when applications are due.
Internships are an excellent way to gain valuable hands-on experience while applying your classroom learning and developing your skills/knowledge in a particular field or profession. Consider using the following resources to find internships.
Students can earn up to four units of credit. The formula is one unit for every 60 unpaid hours or 75 paid hours.
Find answers to common questions about internships.
Many students make contacts to businesses and create their own opportunities or work with their instructors to find an internship. Sierra Job Link also contains possible internships. Some students find internships through student clubs and professional organizations. Reaching out to friends and family is helpful as many openings are never advertised, so networking is important. Get creative and think outside the box. For example, a construction company might need a marketing intern to work alongside and learn from the company’s marketing manager. Career and Transfer Connections can also help. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to locate an internship. Internships align with Sierra’s semesters, so students are encouraged to start looking for an internship well in advance of the start of the semester. The more time and effort you put into helping arrange your perfect experience, the more likely it is that you will get it!
Most internships are unpaid, but some are paid. Pay is determined by the internship site. If you aren’t being paid by the company, then you’ll be a volunteer, or “unpaid” intern. If the company is paying you through their payroll, then you’ll be a “paid” intern. Regardless of pay, all internships should provide meaningful experience related to your education and career goals. Quality, unpaid internships provide similar benefits as paid ones, including:
You’ll make the most of your valuable time, as our college strives to ensure a quality learning experience. You will earn credit and receive support from a Sierra College instructor as you work under the supervision of an internship site supervisor. We formalize your internship using forms to clearly identify your planned experience and expectations. The forms are signed and approved by all parties. Getting credit may meet a degree or certificate requirement. Students in unpaid internships receive Workers Compensation coverage provided by Sierra College.
Currently enrolled Sierra College students who are 18 years or older at the start of their internship are eligible to earn credit. Students enrolled in high school are not eligible at this time. Students must have a confirmed internship with new and expanded learning related to their education or career goal. Students should have a declared program of study (major), completed at least one semester of college, an overall 2.0 GPA, and be enrolled in at least one other class in addition to the internship (except summer).
Yes, if it satisfies three important criteria. First, the internship must offer new and expanded learning related to your education or career goal. Second, it must be approved by your site supervisor and instructor, and you need to enroll in the internship course. Lastly, only hours offering new and expanded learning that are done after you complete the internship course enrollment process, and on or after the internship course start date will count for internship credit.
Yes, however hours completed prior to enrolling in the internship course and before the official start date do not count toward the minimum required internship hours. With that said, we strongly advise you to wait until you’re enrolled in the internship course. Also, for unpaid internships, Sierra College’s Workers Compensation coverage does not take effect until you are enrolled in the internship course and until the official internship start date.
In many ways, the internship course is like your other Sierra College classes. You’ll be enrolling in a course, learning during the course, earning units, receiving a grade, and you can withdraw from the course. However, there’s no classroom time on campus for the internship course. The “class” is completed at your internship site under the direct supervision of your site supervisor, with your instructor providing oversight. You will need a minimum of 60 unpaid hours or 75 paid hours per unit of credit during the semester. Internships can be set up for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, or 4 units. When it comes to grading the course, your instructor will confirm that you completed the minimum required hours at the end of your internship. You will be graded on three areas: two learning objectives; 21st Century Skills, and any additional work assigned by your instructor, if applicable. Please note that you must complete at least the minimum required hours for the unit value of your internship, or you’ll receive an “F” grade.
Once you secure an internship, contact Career and Transfer Connections. We’ll guide you through the next steps.
The cost for your internship course is the same as any other Sierra College class. Note that other fees such as the student center fee may also apply. Generally, if you receive financial aid, the award is also applied to an internship course, as long as it is included in your MAP. With this said, please check with your counselor immediately if you’re not sure about this. If the internship course is not included on your MAP, your financial aid may not apply to it. If this is the case, you will still be able to proceed with the internship, but just keep in mind that you may have to pay for it yourself.
International students should first contact their designated school official (DSO) in Enrollment Services to determine eligibility for curricular practical training (CPT). Career and Transfer Connections can provide tools to find an internship, learn about requirements to earn credit, and answer internship questions. Please keep in mind that the internship must be related to your education and career goals. Once eligibility is confirmed by your DSO and you have a confirmed internship, contact Career and Transfer Connections. We will guide you through the next steps.