Finding an Internship

It is important that you understand that you are responsible for securing your own Internship placement in the USA. Furthermore, as this particular programme was put in place to develop and enhance your career prospects through practical training, it is imperative that your Internship placement has a direct link to your field of study.

Please note, there are certain types of organizations that are generally not allowed to host: limited service/economy hotel properties (lower than 3 star/diamond rating), single retail shops, fast food and convenience store franchises (only trainings at company headquarters may be considered), coaching/teaching, child care, therapy/medical/veterinary care (in rare circumstances observation-based trainings may be considered) and pool companies are not authorized under the J-1 Internship visa. There are also some positions that fall under the US Government's Unskilled Occupation list, for full details please visit our website or CIEE's website.

An Internship is not a job - it is much more! Your program should be designed to provide you with a structured practical education rather than just filling a labour need. When choosing a Host Company, it is important to keep the following in mind:

• Find a well-established company, one with enough resources to support your experience. Make certain that your supervisor is a knowledgeable professional who is excited about and committed to your training.
• Work with your Host Company to develop a training plan that challenges you, allowing you to stretch your current understanding of your field and leaving you with marketable experience.

An integral part of both the Internship programme is the facility to tailor training to your area of study. Training with a business in the U.S. also affords you the chances to not only learn from industry leaders, but also to experience a new culture. Because you can design a program to last up to 12 months, you can gain extensive knowledge and become truly familiar with what it means to live and train in the U.S.

What do I want in a position?

Before you begin searching for your dream job, you must know the most important components for you. Sit down and brainstorm to make sure that you know exactly what it is that you want.

We recommend that you ask yourself the following questions:

With what type of company would I like to train?
Are you interested in a large corporation, a smaller and more personal setting, or a non-profit organization?

Do I want to train with a company in a major city, a suburb, or a rural area?
Remember that a Internship is also a U.S. cultural exchange experience, which will be shaped by your company's location.

What are the top three features that are most important to me in a training environment?
The qualities you like in a supervisor, the things you need from a team of co-workers, the general atmosphere at a company, how high-paced a company may be, a company's longevity, and a company's mission are just some of the attributes you might consider when reviewing your options.

What elements of a training environment could make my experience difficult?
Just as you considered the positives, consider what company features might make you uncomfortable or less likely to succeed. Remember, however, that a Internship is a learning experience and that you should choose a training environment that challenges you to stretch your comfort zone.

Do I need a paid position?
This might be a key component in choosing a great training position if you do not have sufficient savings or some other type of financial assistance. Keep in mind that some companies that do not offer a salary may provide other attractive benefits, such as housing, transportation, meals, and so on. Figure out what you need in order to be able to support yourself and to enjoy your experience in the U.S. fully.

Convert Your CV

A resume is the US equivalent of a CV. Although they are similar in principle, they differ in terms of length, content and purpose. A resume is a one/two page summary of your skills, experience and objectives. A goal of resume writing is to be brief and concise so that the reader will have a fair understanding of your skills and objectives in less than a minute. You should spend time converting your CV into a resume before you apply for Intern positions, and be sure to tailor it for each position you are looking into so that it shows off your best qualities.

Download a sample resume

Don't Give Up!

Securing the right position is a challenge. If you don't find one after looking for only a few days or a few weeks, don't give up! A great tip to remember is to keep an active list of all possibilities. Sign up for job alerts on Internship heavy websites. Do not discredit a company simply because it is not your first choice. The best way to figure out if a company is the right choice is to by thoroughly considering the finer points of each opportunity.

I Have Been Offered An Internship In The USA

Congratulations, you are on your way to becoming a fully fledged intern in the USA! But before you can start thinking about packing up and leaving straight away, don't forget that there is a set procedure that your Host Organisation must follow before you can apply for the Internship USA programme and your visa.

Refer your Host Company to the Host Company Section of CIEE's Website Here they will be able to find out all of the necessary information on the Internship programme, information on application materials and a link to the DS7002 here In the meantime, you should fill out the Internship application form (See How to Apply. If your Host Company have any questions after looking through our website and extensive FAQ's section, they can always email internshipusa@usit.ie. We will get back to their email in 2-3 business days.

When your application form, additional documents and DS7002 are complete, please post them to: Internship USA Department, USIT Travel
19/21 Aston Quay,
O'Connell Bridge,
Dublin 2

We will vet your application and contact you via phone for payment. Please keep in mind that processing takes 6-8 weeks.