Internships

General Information

Internship Coordinators

FAQs

Registration

Students will register within the semester in which the internship begins. If the internship spans multiple semesters, it will be registered in both semesters with credits awarded proportionally to the amount of work associated with each semester

Eligibility

Students should demonstrate a sound understanding of the institution’s objectives for awarding internship credit and a high level of maturity as they will be representatives of the University to employers and others that they come in contact.

To this end, the BYU–Hawaii internships policy has outlined that a student must:

Have completed at least 60 credits total to be eligible to do an internship for credit.
Have completed at least 8 credits within the field of study.
Be in good standing academically. Achieve a 2.0 GPA in the semester prior to their internship.

Academic Credit

Internship credit is awarded based on the normal academic standard of 45 hours/credit/semester. These hours may include preparation, training, reflection, writing, completion of the internship, and final presentation. The internship credit awarded will reflect the actual work completed and align with the internship agreement/MOU. This will be pre-determined by the internship coordinator and outlined in the internship agreement between students and faculty.

A Handshake application is required. If you need assistance with the application, please email Career Services at careerservices@byuh.edu.
Your internship should be mapped by your academic advisor and approved by your internship coordinator. If you are unsure of who your internship coordinator is, please email us.
Financial Services, IWORK (if applicable), International Student Services (ISS), Student Housing, Health Services, PCC, or BYU–Hawaii employer may also need to provide approval for your internship.
- Students must confirm medical coverage for their internship before leaving on the experience. Health Services can assist with domestic internships, please reach out to Beth Martin at beth.martin@byuh.edu. For international experiences, Career Services will help you with applying for insurance through GeoBlue, please email Career Services at careerservices@byuh.edu. See more info about GeoBlue on our Internships page.
Students should not begin their internship before their Handshake application is approved. The internship approval process by all parties must first be met before the mapped internship will be considered “approved” and registered for.

Internships Without Credit

Some of our students have opted to pursue internships without credit. These independent experiences are at the student's discretion and do not need university approval if they are not receiving academic credit for the experience. The University will not have any control over the experience and will consider this a private employment relationship between the student and the internship provider.

Visa Requirements

For our international students, please take note as this information is important to your internship experience and visa requirements. When registering for your internship, international students may take no less than 12 credits for the fall and winter semesters and no less than 8 credits for the spring semester. If an international student is on an approved reduced course load (RCL) or annual leave semester, the student must be enrolled with full-time credits immediately after the RCL or annual leave semester. Annual leave will only be granted after the international student has been in school for two full semesters. You can read more about the requirements for your visa status under Maintaining Visa Status on the International Student Services page.

No Retroactive Credit

To receive credit for an internship, a student must enroll in an internship course prior to beginning the experience. No credit may be given retroactively for internship work undertaken in the past that is now finished.

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Why should I do an internship?

Internships offer students invaluable real-world experience, bridging the gap between academic learning and professional application. They provide hands-on exposure, skill development, and networking opportunities, enhancing a student's resume and increasing employability. Internships also help clarify career goals, fostering a deeper understanding of industry dynamics.
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What resources do I have available to find an internship?
- Career Services (or the Career Studio): Utilize career mentors, workshops, APCC, and career and graduate fairs.
- Online Platforms: Explore websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Handshake for job postings.
- Networking: Leverage personal and professional connections to uncover hidden opportunities.
- Faculty Guidance: Inquire with professors for industry insights and potential leads.
- Alumni Network: Tap into the alumni network for advice and potential openings.
- Company Websites: Check directly with companies for internship programs.
- Professional Organizations: Join relevant associations for industry-specific internship listings.
*Be aware of deadlines for each organization and internship you are interested in.
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Does the Yamagata fund cover the total cost of my internship?

No, the Yamagata fund is intended to help offset the costs of your experience, but it is not designed to cover the total expenses. While it may assist with airfare and some additional support, it is unlikely to cover all associated costs. Please plan accordingly as you explore these opportunities.
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Does the school cover visa expenses for my internship?
No, visa expenses for internship experiences are the responsibility of the student. Please make sure you understand all of the expenses associated with this experience.

Here is a list of potential internship expenses that a student may incur when doing an internship outside of their country:
- Travel Expenses: Flights, transportation to and from the airport, and local transportation costs.
- Visa Fees: Depending on the host country, obtaining a work or internship visa may involve application fees.
- Accommodation: Rent or housing costs for the duration of the internship.
- Insurance: Health and travel insurance coverage for the internship period. Students doing an experience in the US will be covered under their student insurance but outside experiences they will need to apply for GeoBlue, third party insurance through Career Services.
- Living Expenses: Daily living costs, including food, utilities, and other necessities.
- Work-related Expenses: Professional attire, equipment, or tools required for the internship.
- Language Courses: If the internship is in a country with a different language, the student may incur expenses for language courses.
- Cultural and Social Activities: Participation in events, tours, or activities to enhance the cultural experience.
- Pre-departure Expenses: Costs associated with preparing for the internship, such as vaccinations or required medical examinations.
- Communication: Costs related to staying connected, such as a local phone plan or internet services.
- Emergency Fund: Setting aside funds for unforeseen circumstances or emergencies.
- Exchange Rate Fluctuations: Currency exchange fees and potential impacts of currency fluctuations.
Students need to carefully plan and budget for these expenses to ensure a smooth and financially manageable internship experience.
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How long does my internship have to be?

The duration of your internship should consider the needs of your Internship Provider, the number of hours you are able to commit to working, and a discussion with your Internship Coordinator for your major. Each credit hour is 45 hours of work, so 1 credit = 45 hours. We prefer that students complete internships with a minimum of 3 credit hours, especially if you are requesting funding assistance. Credits must be proportional to the number of hours worked on the internship.
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If I do an internship for credit on campus, how many hours per week can I work?

For on-campus paid student internships, the student should be hired via the normal student employee hire process and will be limited to working 19 hours per week. You can find more information about doing your internship on campus on the Internships page.
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Am I able to receive Yamagata funding for my internship?

Requests to access Yamagata funding for your for-credit internship experience will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Per the Yamagata fund policy funding should be utilized for internships in the student's major and in the target area of Oceania and the Asian rim. Yamagata funding is NOT available for internship experiences in the U.S. and Canada. Students receiving this fund should demonstrate a strong commitment to working in and or moving to Asia or the Pacific area after graduation.
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Is travel and support funding available to help with my internship?

We are grateful that we may be able to provide support for some of our students who are planning on doing an internship. Yamagata funding is reviewed on a case-by-case basis on approved for-credit internship experiences focused on the student's major and in areas outside of the U.S. and Canada. The focus is on Oceania and the Asian region per donor guidelines. Students receiving this fund should demonstrate a strong commitment to working in and or moving to Oceania or Asia after graduation.
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Is there still a discount for tuition in the semester that I do my internship?

Effective spring 2020, the internship discount was revised by the university. The 50% tuition reduction is no longer applicable. Moving forward, students will only receive the internship discount on the internship credits they are working towards for the semester that they are enrolled.
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What majors require internships?

Political science, TESOL, health and human performance, social work, education, and hotel and tourism management majors all require internships. Not all majors require internships, but all of our students are invited to do an internship if it fits into their academic schedule. Handshake is a great resource to help you find these opportunities.
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If I take a leave of absence in the fall semester do I have to re-apply for the winter semester?

No, if a leave of absence is approved for fall, you may enroll for classes in the winter semester. If you elect not to attend in the winter semester after you’ve taken a leave of absence in the fall, you will have to reapply for admission.
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Will I be able to get reimbursed for the travel portion of my internship?

Reimbursements for internships are not available. If you have been approved for Yamagata funding you should work with Career Services to secure funding. Please email acs@byuh.edu to see if you would qualify for this funding. Yamagata funding does not provide assistance back to the US or Canada.
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How many work hours are needed for one credit hour on my internship?

Forty-five work hours equals one credit hour. (3 credit hours would be 135 work hours; 4 credit hours would be 180 work hours and so forth)
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Am I eligible to do an internship?
The BYU–Hawaii internship policy has outlined that in order for a student to do an internship for credit, they must:
1. Have completed at least 60 credits total to be eligible to do an internship for credit.
2. Have completed at least eight credits within the field of study.
3. Be in good academic standing, which means achieving a GPA of 2.0 in the semester prior to their internship.
Please follow up with your Academic Advisor on your eligibility to do your internship. You will also want to speak with your program's Internship Coordinator to confirm your experience is in line with program requirements.
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How far in advance should I register/apply for my internship?

We recommend planning your internship in advance. We typically encourage students to plan 3-6 months ahead of time to avoid last-minute Handshake application/registration delays. Some internship experiences require students to begin the process a year in advance. Please be aware of the application deadlines for the school and the internship provider. If you need help finding an internship please come and see us at the Career Studio and allow enough time to plan this experience with you.
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Can I start my internship if it hasn't been fully approved?

No. Students should not begin an unapproved internship. This means their Handshake application must have all approvals completed before starting the experience.

A few reasons for this are ensuring the MOU is completed with the internship provider, student medical benefit is in place (insurance), and the experience is approved by the program.

Internship approvals need to be completed before the experience begins. The internship approval process by all parties must first be met before the mapped internship will be considered “approved” and registered for.
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Do internships need to be related to my major?

We encourage students to find internship experiences related to their major so that they can start to build a support network within the industry and profession that they are pursuing. An internship is a great pathway into the organizations you want to work for after your studies are completed.
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Are internships paid or unpaid?

Internships can be both paid and unpaid. Paid internships are more common in the private sector, while unpaid internships are often found in non-profits or government agencies. Please ensure that you have the finances and budget to pursue an internship experience.
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What are the benefits of completing an internship?

Internships provide practical experience, networking opportunities, and a chance to apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting. They can also enhance your resume and improve your chances of securing a job post-graduation.
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How do I prepare for an internship interview?
Our Career Mentors in the Career Studio would love to help you prepare for your interview. Please make an appointment with them.

Here are also a few other ideas that may be helpful:
- Research the company
- Review the job description, and practice common interview questions
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer and dress professionally
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What should I do if I'm struggling with my internship tasks?

Communicate with your internship supervisor, seek feedback, and ask for additional training or resources. It's important to be proactive and show a willingness to learn. You should also make sure to contact your internship coordinator to let them know that you may be struggling with the experience. Please make sure to keep the lines of communication open with the provider and your internship coordinator.
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What if I don’t enjoy my internship?
Reflect on what specifically you don’t enjoy and communicate with your internship supervisor about potential changes or new tasks. Remember that you are a representative of BYU–Hawaii and that the experience you are on impacts both you and future students. Communication is key in these situations. Please make sure that you work through the issues with your internship supervisor.

Here are a few other suggestions:
- Reflect: Identify specific aspects you dislike. This helps in understanding the root of the issue.
- Communicate: Discuss concerns with your internship supervisor. Be constructive and suggest potential changes.
- Seek Support: Talk to your internship coordinator or your contact in Career Services for advice.
- Stay Professional: Continue to perform tasks to the best of your ability while seeking solutions.
- Learn: Use the experience to understand what you prefer in a work environment and career path.