USC Summer Internship Programs: A Comprehensive Guide

Internships serve as a bridge, connecting the theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom with the practical skills and real-world experience essential for career development. They offer invaluable hands-on industry exposure and provide opportunities to forge professional connections with key individuals in prospective career fields. USC offers a variety of internship programs, both domestically and internationally, catering to a wide range of academic interests and career aspirations.

The Value of Internships

Internships integrate knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skill development in a professional setting. Internships also provide hands-on, industry experience, and the opportunity to make professional connections with key stakeholders in their prospective career fields. Companies actively search for students who are tops in their classes and have actual experience within their field. They provide a safe environment for students to learn how theories and concepts they learned in the classroom might be applied in a real-world work environment. Employers also highly value internship experience, as responsibilities on internships build skills that are highly valued for entry-level positions. Recent graduates indicate they are changing jobs four times within five years of graduation. One of the most difficult challenges facing professional programs such as business, communications and cinema, is striking the right balance between practical training and experience and theoretical and “class-room” learning.

Whether you pursue a structured internship program or an independent internship, we recommend you pursue internship and experiential opportunities early and often. While it is not crucial for First-Year students to get internship experience, internship experience is vital for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Internships provide a means for students to learn and practice skills that they may not otherwise be able to in a classroom.

Navigating the Internship Landscape at USC

USC Dornsife and USC offer a variety of means for students to source internships, be it through our new Dornsife Compass, connectSC, or via structured internship programs to support students’ career development. USC has several guidelines for internships that are promoted to our students.Internships are offered each semester (fall/spring/summer) for at least 6 weeks/term. Internships can be paid or unpaid and are generally at most 20 hours per week during regular school semesters and up to 40 hours per week if paid over the summer semesters. Internships are available independently or as part of structured programs.

Resources for Finding Internships

USC provides a wealth of resources to assist students in their internship search:

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Trojan Network: USC’s exclusive professional networking and mentorship platform.
connectSC: Through this online portal, you can connect with employers hiring for internships, part-time, and full-time roles.
Career Fairs: USC hosts career fairs during fall and spring semesters. Our OCR program attracts companies from a variety of industries looking to hire for entry-level positions and internships. Employers share information about their organizations and provide students a chance to network with recruiters and alumni.
Interstride: An interactive career platform designed by and for international students to enhance their career exploration and job-search experience.
Big Interview: A powerful AI-enhanced interviewing tool to help Trojans excel in interviews.
Gain Access to Career Advice: Access career advice from USC Alumni and other industry professionals through informative video informational interviews.

We welcome employers to connect with Dornsife Career Pathways to promote internship opportunities for our students.

Academic Credit for Internships

You may be required to receive academic credit for an individual internship. If an employer requires course credit (speak with the HR department or supervisor for clarification), USC offers several courses for internships year round and MDA 250 is open to all students, in all majors. Students may enroll in an internship course to meet the academic criteria for an internship.

Internship Timeline and Recruitment

Most organizations are looking for candidates to fill an immediate opening. This typically means you should be applying the semester prior to the anticipated start date. Similarly, most internship recruitment occurs a semester in advance. However, depending on the industry/organization you are targeting, you may have to apply even earlier. Internship recruitment varies by industry. This chart serves as a general timeline regarding some of the most competitive roles during the Summer 2024 hiring cycle. This timeline represents the application, interview, and offer periods for USC students who accepted internships for summer 2024 based on industry.

International Internship Programs

USC offers several international internship programs, providing students with the opportunity to gain professional experience in a global context.

MISIP: Marshall International Summer Internship Program

The Marshall International Summer Internship Program (MISIP) offers USC Business and Accounting Majors or Minors ONLY, who will have completed 55 units by a specified date, the chance to intern in either Jakarta, Indonesia, or Bangkok, Thailand. Students graduating in May ARE eligible to apply. You may apply to one or both locations. The program is open to USC Business and Accounting Majors or Minors ONLY, who will have completed 55 units by January 1, 2023 (16 of those units MUST have been completed at USC). Students graduating in May 2023 ARE eligible to apply. You may apply to one or both locations. Please complete the online application by 11:59 PM on January 27, 2023. In addition, all students will need to submit a letter of recommendation from either an academic source (preferred) or professional source. Letters NOT uploaded as part of the application are due by January 29th, 2023 5:00 pm.

Students who are selected for MISIP will spend 9-10 weeks (approx. Students will be provided a stipend (approx. $4000), which will be used to cover their expenses (air ticket, rent for reasonable, safe and secure housing, and meals). Students will NOT be able to select the industry in which they will intern nor the company for whom they will work. Upon admission into the program, the selection committee will ask students to outline the industry and type of position they are interested in, and the committee will attempt to place the student accordingly. As placements are with alumni and companies owned by alumni, the company options and fields are limited. Unfortunately students will NOT be guaranteed placement into the industry of their choosing nor the company for whom they will work. The committee will do their best to match students to areas of interest, and with companies which will meet those interests. Past Student placements included (but were not limited to) companies such as: WE Connor (in both Jakarta and Bangkok), WOM Finance (Jakarta), KPMG (Bangkok), Betagro (Bangkok), Resko (Jakarta), Tractus (Bangkok), Beryl 8 (Bangkok), KIB (Tax and Finance) Consulting (Jakarta), Gulf Energy (Bangkok), Adaro (Jakarta), and Rework (Jakarta), to name a few. (The list is still being confirmed, and may not include some of the companies listed above.) Students worked on everything from developing marketing plans to industry research, operations analysis and financial planning.

Indonesia: Indonesia is a flourishing democracy and has the world’s largest Muslim population. The internship sponsors and AUSCI, the “Alumni of USC in Indonesia” will help participants find housing in a safe and secure section of Jakarta. alumni club in Indonesia. With over 1,500 Trojans in the country, AUSCI is committed to live its motto “the network of excellence, for Indonesia and beyond.” Currently AUSCI is on-its-way to reaching its goal of building 100 libraries by 2020 for Indonesian children in impoverished areas.
Thailand: Thailand is the 8th largest economy in Asia, as well as one of the fastest growing economies in the world (4.1% in 2018 and projected to be over 4% in 2019) over the past decade, Thailand has moved from regional to world economic power, as well as building a reputation as a producer of low-cost but high-quality goods and services. The USC Thailand Alumni Association will help participants find housing in a safe and secure section of Bangkok, as well as provide placements in a variety of industries and companies.

USC CPF/Wrigley High School Internship Program

The USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future (CPF), in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, offers select high school students a prestigious summer internship program that is held entirely online. The application for the USC CPF/Wrigley High School Internship Program is closed. Must be a high school student. Students enrolled in our summer internship will be required to complete two major projects (legislative policy memo and legislative process analysis) in relation to the bill of their choosing on the local, state, or federal level that focuses on environmental policy or sustainability. Missing any of the six required elements above will result in student dismissal from the program.

The High School Summer Internship Program cohort shared their experiences:

Claire An (Canyon Crest Academy): “My CPF internship experience was exciting and grounding; it opened my perspective toward greater political science opportunities. I gained insights into creating policy memos and policy analyses, which are important skills for working and forwarding policy from the local to the national level. Additionally, speaking with experts in the environmental policy field allowed me to explore opportunities and encouraged me to enter this profession."

Anjana Boppana (Coppell High School): “This experience was highly informative and eye-opening, deepening my understanding of current environmental legislation. I conducted in-depth research on sustainability policies and had the incredible opportunity to present my findings to Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX), who added my work as an official resource for his office. The discussions we’ve had throughout the program are more relevant than ever, with climate change and public health at the forefront of national concern."

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Jethro Bumanglag (Damien Memorial School): “In Hawai’i, we grow up hearing ‘Mālama ‘Āina’ from our kūpuna (elders). ‘Mālama ‘Āina’ expresses the responsibility to care for the land and manage its natural resources properly. This was my guiding principle entering into this research internship at the USC Center for the Political Future. I was introduced to the intricate world of policymaking and how to conduct the necessary research to inform environmental legislation and advocate for my community’s needs. Authoring both policy papers honed my writing and research skills, especially under the mentorship of the CPF staff, for which I’m incredibly grateful. I’m also grateful for the insights provided by Professor Becker and the guest speakers."

Kristy Chan (ESF Sha Tin College): “The CPF internship experience was a memorable and insightful journey into environmental policy. I valued the level of independence and academic rigor of this program, especially as I learned firsthand how to conduct research and analyze the topic until I had no further questions to ask myself. I greatly appreciated the CPF staff, guest speakers, and fellow interns, all of whom brought so much passion, energy, and knowledge to the many in-depth discussions we had."

Alex Karanjai (Pine View School): “My CPF experience catalyzed my ambition to turn ideas into meaningful change. From building out a policy memo to writing a legislative process analysis, CPF guided me to focus my arguments on strategic and sustainable impact."

Hailey Khetiya (Woodbridge High School): “Throughout the program, I had the opportunity to learn from different professionals working in the field of environmental science. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to apply what I learned throughout the program to complete two assignments on a topic of my choice."

Maximus Lee (Harvard Westlake School): “I gained valuable experience in policy writing and analysis. I learned how to craft well-researched policy memos tailored to various stakeholders, and I developed a deeper understanding of the policymaking process. I enjoyed working on real issues that affect communities and contributing meaningful solutions in a professional document. This internship is amazing if you are looking to dive into policy and learn from people who know policy."

Afia Mubashir (West Windsor Plainsboro High School South): “The CPF internship was an extremely valuable experience! The internship taught me skills such as political analysis and argumentative writing, and pushed me to engage more critically with laws affecting local governance. The speaker sessions remained the most insightful part of the internship, offering insights into real-life policymaking, lobbying and stakeholder engagement."

Maya Nawachi (West High School): “This internship opportunity allowed me to expand my current knowledge on climate change and helped me have a more comprehensive understanding of environmental policy. It was an incredibly enriching opportunity where I got to strengthen my research and analysis skills, and pushed me to think more critically about pressing issues that we face today."

Cason Noll (Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas): “My experience as a CPF intern can best be described as opening a new door into policy that would have otherwise stayed closed. In what started out as a seed of curiosity, my knowledge quickly grew into a deeper understanding of where politics, policy, and the environment intersect. With guidance from CPF staff and various guest speakers, I developed research on legislation of my choice, highlighting the political dynamics and critically thinking about potential solutions. The program’s insightful discussions, career advice, and bipartisan emphasis fundamentally changed the way I enjoy policy."

Sharmada Palakurthi (W.B. Ray High School): “The CPF internship was a very valuable educational experience! Through legislative memo and legislative analysis assignments, I was able to greatly improve my writing and communication skills. The program taught me how to challenge my personal beliefs by assessing multiple perspectives and stakeholder views on certain issues."

Andrea Ramirez (Neuqua Valley High School): “This program taught me to research, think analytically, and write persuasively-exactly what it advertised. I gained insight into the legislative process and deepened my interest in environmental policy. More importantly, I learned to communicate, persevere, and represent myself. This internship prepared me for the next phase of my life, one where I need to do more than is comfortable to grow as a person and get what I want. I’ve appreciated these lessons, but especially the people who have taught them to us."

Ishani Tamma (Coppell High School): “The CPF internship is an incredible summer opportunity for students interested in data analysis, policy research, and writing. The program’s structure emphasizes a comprehensive feedback system, incredible insights from keynote speakers, and career guidance from CPF staff. Projects challenge interns to analyze controversial policy issues from multiple angles, thereby fostering both critical thinking and empathy. I’ve undoubtedly come away from this opportunity with improved writing, research, and data interpretation skills-and most importantly, a thorough understanding of real-world policy work."

Gavin Tesser (Calabasas High School): “This internship transformed my passion from awareness to policy. Through in-depth research, I learned more about local, state, and federal legislation. By drafting a policy memo and legislative analysis, I gained a new perspective on how policy is influenced by the political atmosphere and science. My most valuable takeaway was having the opportunity to send my papers to my California state representatives. I’m now working with their offices to implement my bill amendments."

Important Considerations for Interns

Before embarking on an internship, it's crucial to be aware of certain legal and ethical considerations.

Non-Compete Agreements

Organizations or employers, and their hiring managers, sometimes ask interns to sign a non-compete agreement prior to starting their internship. This type of agreement can restrict student actions after the internship is completed (for instance, it may prevent an intern from working for a competitor for a specific amount of time, not permanently). Students, in addition to employers and organizations, should be aware that a non-compete agreement is not enforceable in the State of California.

Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)

In addition, organizations and employers could require an intern to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before participating in their internship. This agreement is tied to propriety information (such as new products, organizational resources, or trade secrets) in order to protect the organizational or employer assets.

Fraudulent Postings

Spot a fraudulent job/internship posting?

Viterbi Students Participating in CPT

Please review the In-Person Learning Requirements for Viterbi Students Participating in CPT. Viterbi will only approve fall or spring CPT applications for out-of-area internship opportunities after students agree to the conditions identified in the memo. In addition, internship offer letters for out-of-area full-time internships must state remote to get approval. Offer letters must indicate a minimum of one remote day for out-of-the-area internships. Offer letters for out-of-area in-person internships will not be approved.

Additional Resources

Review Videos: Implement key strategies as you prepare to apply for an internship.
Internship Course/D-Clearance Drop-In (Spring 2026): Do you have quick questions about one of our Internship courses 395, 596, 597, 598/ or D-Clearance?
Ph.D. Career Advising: Not sure how to answer questions about your status during an interview?
USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub: Provides information to the public on employers petitioning for H-1B workers.

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