Degree Plus Internships

Students search for and apply to career-aligned internships and professional experiences.

Opportunities may include:

• Private Companies
• Non-profit Organizations
• Educational Institutions
• Local, State, or Federal Government Agencies
• UC San Diego Career-aligned Student Employment and Internships
• UCEAP or Other International-based Internships

Once an internship is identified, determine which category best describes the experience:
 

• Paid (employer pays the student directly)
  • Private Companies
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Educational Institutions
  • Local, State, or Federal Government Agencies
  • UC San Diego Career-aligned Student Employment and Internships
  • UCEAP or Other International-based Internships
• Unpaid (employer joins Degree Plus Internship Network; UC San Diego pays the student)
  • Private Companies
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Educational Institutions
• Unpaid (student applies for Degree Plus Internship Grant)
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Educational Institutions
  • Local, State, or Federal Government Agencies
  • UCEAP or Other International-based Internships

For unpaid internships, students may still have options for financial support.
 

• Option 1: Degree Plus Internship Network
  Eligible private companies, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions may join the Degree Plus Internship Network. Student can encourage a prospective employer to join.
  • The student is compensated directly through UC San Diego
  • UC San Diego manages payment processes using established campus student employment guidelines
• Option 2: Degree Plus Internship Grant
  If a non-profit organization, government agency, or international-based internship cannot participate in the Degree Plus Internship Network, students may apply for a Degree Plus Internship Grant.
  
  Grant funding may:
  • Provide a financial award during the internship period
  • Help offset living, transportation, or other internship-related expenses
  • Cover passport, visa, or security clearance costs
  • Increase access to unpaid career-building opportunities

All students participating in internships or career-aligned employment complete required activities connected to the Internship and Career Development Seminar. Requirements may include:

• Internship approval documentation
• Reflection assignments
• Career development activities
• Progress reports
• Supervisor evaluations
• Final internship reporting and outcomes documentation

UC San Diego Career Services

Explore your path, build your skills, and connect with opportunities – the Career Center is here to support you every step of the way.

UC San Diego Teaching + Learning Commons: Academic Internship Program

Connecting students with opportunities to explore careers, engage in the community, and enrich their education through experiential learning.

UC San Diego Student Employment Office

Student Employment is an important high-impact practice that provides thousands of opportunities for students to work part-time to develop on-the-job skills, making connections through campus, and enhance their educational experience at UC San Diego.

Handshake

Handshake is UC San Diego’s database of off-campus jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities, and on-campus jobs (including work-study).

LinkedIn Pathways and Programs

Explore internship and early career opportunities through LinkedIn’s Pathways and Programs.

Parker Dewey Micro-internship Program

Students and recent graduates from all majors can gain real-world experience by completing short-term, paid, typically remote, professional projects. Micro-internships are facilitated by the Parker Dewey platform, connecting you with organizations in need of your skills.

UCEAP International Internships

The University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) helps students connect with high quality impactful internship opportunities across the globe. Students may be eligible for a Degree Plus Internship Grant to help cover costs of international travel, passport, visa, living, and other internship-related expenses.

This customized Degree Plus asynchronous seminar with monthly in-person sessions prepares students for successful internships and long-term career readiness through practical, career-focused skill development. Students strengthen their abilities in career planning, résumé and cover letter writing, networking, interviewing, workplace communication, and professional goal setting through interactive modules and curated workshops supported by UC San Diego career resources. The course also helps students identify meaningful internship opportunities, understand workplace expectations, and maximize learning throughout the internship experience.

Degree Plus students gain unique industry access through monthly in-person sessions with UC San Diego alumni who share insights into their career journeys, professional growth, and industry experiences. These conversations help students connect their academic studies, certificate program, and internship preparation to real-world career pathways and paid internship opportunities. Through mentorship, networking, and career-focused discussions, students gain practical advice, professional perspectives, and meaningful connections that support their long-term career goals.
 

Take a Triton To Work
UC San Diego students connect with an alumni professional for mentorship and job shadowing.

The Degree Plus Internship Network connects students with eligible private companies, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions that support career-aligned internship opportunities. Students are encouraged to identify and recommend prospective employers interested in joining the network. For participating organizations, students are compensated directly through UC San Diego, with payment and employment processes managed in accordance with established campus student employment guidelines.

The Degree Plus Internship Grant helps students pursue meaningful internship opportunities with non-profit organizations, government agencies, and international-based organizations that may not participate in the Degree Plus Internship Network. Grant funding may provide financial assistance during the internship period, help offset living, transportation, and other internship-related expenses, and cover costs such as passports, visas, or security clearances. The program is designed to expand access to valuable career-building experiences, including unpaid internships that support students’ long-term academic and professional goals.