Resources and Opportunities

What are Internships?

Internships are a form of experiential learning, typically 1 semester (3–4 months or 10–12 weeks), that are related to your academic major or career goals.

Internships are extremely valuable, and we encourage you to consider completing one.

An internship, or experiential experience, is required in some University of Houston-Clear Lake degree programs, but even if it is not required, you can still complete an internship to gain industry experience and skill.  If you are unsure if your academic program requires it, contact your assigned academic advisor listed in your Navigate account.

Have additional questions, email strategicpartner@uhcl.edu.

Download the Internship Initiatives Brochure (PDF)

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External Resources

Strategic Partnerships offers a variety of resources to guide you along the way. Our goal is for all students to succeed during their time at UHCL and as they enter the career world.

All Industries

Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) has offered one of the best internship programs in the country. Join the 14,000 alumni in gaining invaluable professional experience interning within a federal agency, while getting paid! 

The Pathways Internship Program is for current students. If you’re a current student in high school, college, trade school or another qualifying educational institution, you may be eligible. This program offers paid opportunities to work in federal agencies and explore federal careers while completing your education.

Inroads has helped businesses gain greater access to diverse talent through continuous leadership development of outstanding ethnically diverse students and placement of those students in internships at many of North America’s top corporations, firms, and organizations.

Business and Industry

Seizing Every Opportunity recruits and trains high achieving Black, Hispanic and Native American college students for challenging summer internships with leading investment banks and Fortune 500 companies.

Howard Foundation- Internship Program is dedicated to increase the participation of diverse and underrepresented college students and young professionals in the media and entertainment industry.

City and Government

Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies is designed for AAPI undergraduate aged students looking to increase their experience in public policy and service, while being placed in US Congressional offices and federal agencies over the summer.    

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) prepares college students and young professionals to become principled leaders, skilled policy analysts, and informed advocates by exposing them to the processes that develop national policies and implement them- from Capitol Hill to federal field offices.

Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) provides paid summer and semester internships, promising Latino undergraduate students experience what it’s like to work in a congressional office, while participating in weekly professional and leadership development and civic engagement through community service. Click on Internships.

Federal Diversity Internship Initiative joins students in partnership with multiple U.S. federal agencies. This program will give you the opportunity to experience what it’s like working for the U.S. government.

Native American Congressional Internship provides American Indian and Alaska Native students with the opportunity to gain practical experience with the federal legislative process in order to understand first-hand the government-to-government relationship between Tribes and the federal government.

Smithsonian - Office of Internship Programs provides a searchable database of available internship opportunities

Healthcare

Project Imhotep an 11-week summer internship program designed to increase the knowledge and skills of underrepresented minority students in biostatistics, epidemiology, and occupational safety and health   

The Maternal Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement- Undergraduate Program (MCHE/RISE-UP) provides opportunities, especially scholars from underrepresented populations, for enhanced public health leadership training in the area of maternal and child health focusing on social determinants of health, elimination of health disparities, and developmental disabilities.

The Keck School of Medicine's Bridging the Gaps Summer Research Program provides an opportunity to outstanding minority students to gain meaningful exposure to exceptional research and clinical programs.

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Internship Disclaimer

The Office of Strategic Partnerships opportunities website may contain links to other websites not under the control of University of Houston-Clear Lake or the Office of Strategic Partnerships, and neither party is responsible for the contents of any linked site, including the accuracy of information, services or materials provided by these sites or any third parties. 

Students should be prudent and cautious when applying for or accepting any internship. When in doubt, refer to the UHCL Information Security Basics website. 

When searching on the Internships website, you may encounter fraudulent internship opportunities. You may also receive a fraudulent email that has been forged to make it appear as if it came from a reputable company. Use common sense, if it looks fraudulent, do not reply and report it to our office (strategicpartner@uhcl.edu) immediately.

Protect your personal information and avoid scams:

• Never provide any social security number, credit card or bank account numbers to prospective employers over the phone or electronically
• Refuse background/credit checks until you have met the employer in person
• Never wire funds - anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer
• Beware of fake cashier checks and money orders - banks will hold you responsible