Consider an internship

Internships are valuable experiences that enhance your education, whether or not you receive academic credit. By securing an internship, you can earn academic credit and develop new skills at the same time. Your internship must be related to your major and take place outside a university research lab.

Be Internship Ready 

Please download the Be Internship Ready (PDF) how-to guide created by Career and Professional Development Services for helpful resources on finding and landing an internship. 

Application

Step 1

You must identify and secure your own internship site. We do not place you with an employer. Your internship responsibilities must be research-oriented, as job shadowing will not be approved. (see Internship Opportunities tab)

Step 2
  • Complete Application Form by requesting an Experience on Handshake.  
  • Log in to your profile and select Career Center (top right of page). 
  • Select Experiences and then click the blue Create Experience button. 
  • On the New Experience page, under Details, select Experience Template > select a template: start typing SOLS in the field and the template will come up: SOLS Internship - BIO/HPS/MIC/MBB 484 (undergraduate). 
  • Complete the form. 
  • Be sure to provide a name and contact email for your supervisor. We cannot begin to process the application without this information. 
  • ASU Online Internship Coordinator Ivy Esquibel or on-ground Internship Coordinator Christine Ditter will contact you after the application period has closed to update you on your application status.
Step 3 

You will be contacted by the Internship Coordinator throughout the application process.  If accepted, it is the student's responsibility to enroll in your internship course by or before the add/drop date for the semester

Step 4

Complete all course assignments and submit them by the deadlines provided through Canvas.

Internship opportunities

In-state

Below is a list of employers who have participated in our program. Read about their internship opportunities and find out whether they are currently accepting interns. If possible, apply for a position directly through their website.

Internship provider

Many more internships are available in Arizona. Students are encouraged to contact Career Services to learn how to find an internship through Handshake and other sites. We encourage you to review our Careers page for inspiration on pathways and organizations to pursue.

Out-of-state internships

Below is a list of employers who have participated in our program. Read about their internship opportunities and find out whether they are currently accepting interns. If possible, apply for a position directly through their website. 

Internship provider

Students are encouraged to contact Career Services to learn how to find an internship through Handshake and other sites.  We encourage you to review our Careers page for inspiration on pathways and organizations to pursue.

Information for employers

Thank you for your interest in providing our students with a rewarding internship experience. Our internship program provides School of Life Sciences students with an opportunity to earn academic credit, while learning new skills to help them achieve their personal educational and career goals.

We expect our student interns to be supervised, and for each internship to include meaningful, project-based work. In order for ASU students to receive academic credit for their pending internship experiences, ASU requests a valid Student Placement Agreement (SPA) between the employer and ASU to help ensure a safe supportive learning environment and meet Arizona Board of Regents requirements.  Once the student applies for enrollment into the internship course, the Internship Coordinator will contact you to begin the process of signing the SPA.  

Please download our Employer Information Packet for more further information on this course.

Our student internship goals:

  • To enhance our undergraduate degree programs by connecting students to experts in professional settings
  • To provide opportunities for students to gain professional and scientific experience by using current technology and contributing to significant projects
  • To provide opportunities for building interpersonal communication, teamwork and leadership skills
  • To help students network with professionals in many industries
  • To help students develop a resume that reflects key skills and accomplishments 

Student participation requirements:

  • 2.75 GPA
  • 45 credit hours completed
  • All internships must be related to a student’s degree program

Required work hours:

To earn academic credit, a student must work the following number of hours:

  • 270 hours = 6 credits
  • 225 hours = 5 credits
  • 180 hours = 4 credits
  • 135 hours = 3 credits
  • 90 hours = 2 credits
  • 45 hours = 1 credit

Is an employer required to pay an intern?

Internships may be either paid or unpaid (Department of Labor Guidelines).

To post your internship opportunity with ASU:

Register as an Employer through Handshake.

Questions? Contact ASU Online Internship Coordinator Ivy Esquibel or on-ground Internship Coordinator Christine Ditter

Information for faculty

Thank you for your interest in learning more in how our students can participate in a rewarding internship experience. Our internship program provides School of Life Sciences students with an opportunity to earn academic credit, while learning new skills to help them achieve their personal educational and career goals.

BIO/HPS/MIC/MBB/PLB 484 

Supporting/Promoting Extracurricular Internships:

  • SOLS faculty, instructors, and academic advisors should be knowledgeable in and support extracurricular internships. The department is responsible for providing training and information to the other faculty members and instructors about internships.
  • SOLS faculty, instructors, and academic advisors will work with students to explain internships, for example, the benefits, importance and how internships fits into the     program.
  • SOLS faculty, instructors, and academic advisors will refer students to the Internship Instructor for assistance with their internship search. The Internship Instructor, in conjunction with the Career Development Services Office, can provide help with resume writing, job prospecting, assisting in contacting employers, mock interviewing skills, etc.
  • Neither School of Life Sciences or the Internship Instructor is responsible for finding the student an internship position.    
  • SOLS faculty, instructors, and academic advisors will promote internships with employers.
  • SOLS faculty, instructors, and academic advisors will refer employers to the Internship Instructor for additional information to promote extracurricular internships.        

If you ever have any questions, please let me know! Thank you for supporting and promoting extracurricular internships at ASU SOLS!

What are extracurricular internships?

Extracurricular internships are designed to blend academic knowledge with real life hands on work experience through career related paid work experience outside of ASU. These students (both on-ground and online) work in paid/unpaid positions which are related to their field of study and work part-time or full-time during the summer or academic year. Many ASU programs offer similar internship experiences. Some programs at ASU require an internship experience and other programs make it an elective choice of the student (such as SOLS). Students who participate in an internship experience can work locally, nationally and even internationally (making this a great fit for our Online Biological Science students as well). Students are encouraged to register with the SOLS Internship Instructor as soon as possible to become fully prepared for their work experience. Students are required to work with the SOLS Internship Instructor and Career and Professional Development Services office in seeking related work experience.

Benefits to the student:

  • To apply academic knowledge to real life work situation increasing skill level and demonstrating mastery of skills to future employers
  • Gain practical experience in their field prior to graduation, enabling students to confidently compete with other qualified candidates after graduation
  • Network with professional and future employers
  • Be mentored by professionals and learn from the best
  • Learn to work as a member of a team to achieve company or business goals
  • Improve resume writing, job searching and interview skills
  • Earn money to defray college expenses

What the student does:

  • Work with the employer to determine number of hours worked
  • The student will identify a preferred location for the internship. The student, with assistance from the SOLS Internship Instructor, will begin contacting potential employers.        
  • Enroll in respective course (BIO/HPS/MBB/MIC/PLB 484…Online Biological Science students will only be eligible to enroll in BIO 484)
  • During the experience, the student will complete the following tasks through the online Canvas course (BIO/HPS/MBB/MIC/PLB 484):
    • Application Form
    • Initial Paperwork
    • Work Variance Form* (if internship is at current place of enrollment, you’ll be required to have your internship include duties outside of your regular job description).        
    • Weekly Reflective Journals
    • Resume Critique from Career and Professional Development Services
    • Supervisor Interview
    • Two Performance Reviews (midpoint and commencement)
    • Final Portfolio
  • All credits generated for an internship are based on the number of hours worked (1 credit = 45 hours; 6 credits maximum)
  • Grades (A - E) are issued to the student once he/she has completed his/her assignment and has submitted all necessary paperwork.

Internship benefits for the employer:  

  • An intern can help fill peak work times or temporary positions
  • An intern works as a member of the team to assist them with achieving goals.
  • Employers can use internships experiences as a recruiting tool to hire and train prospective employees.
  • Students will bring energy, innovation and enthusiasm to the work place.    

What does the employer do?

  • Provides a practical work experience for the student.
  • Supervises and evaluates the work performance of the students.
  • Twice during the experience (midpoint and commencement), the employer completes a written evaluation of the student’s performance and completes an exit interview with the     student, letting him/her know what they did correctly and what they can improve on.
  • Works with ASU to post available internship experiences or career employment opportunities.

SOLS internship instructor helps by: 

  • Postings of available internship experiences or career employment opportunities on Handshake and SOLS Internship webpage.    
  • Facilitating the registration process to ensure student and employer are a good match.    
  • Responding to questions from the student and employer.
  • Working as a liaison between student, employer and faculty to create policies that maintain a quality program for all participants.
  • Issuing a grade to the student once the student has completed necessary paperwork.    

Questions? Contact ASU Online Internship Coordinator Ivy Esquibel or on-ground Internship Coordinator Christine Ditter

Resources for pre-health students

If you are applying for/interested in an internship that has anything to do with Pre-Health, please refer to the Pre-Health Internship Program and your assigned academic advisor (found on your My ASU) for further details.  This means anything in a clinical setting, as well as shadowing and scribing duties.  Please see below for more resources to help you gain extracurricular experience.

  • Emergency Department Internships offered by the Pre-Professional Advising Office, which involves placement into a partner hospital and enrollment in BIO 390, a class that focuses on preparation for the application to medical school
    OR
  • General Pre-Health Internships offered through the Pre-Health Internship Program where students will enroll in a separate BIO 484 not managed by SOLS and also be required to attend the BIO 390 class 
  • This BIO 484 offers opportunities to students pursuing any health professions program, including dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy and more
  • Students interested in BIO 390 or this pre-health BIO 484 should meet with the Pre-Professional Advising Office (PPAO) to discuss their interest and preparation for a career in healthcare

Questions? Contact Office of Clinical Partnerships

Internship requirements

Honors credit is recognized automatically for Barrett students who successfully complete BIO 484 with a passing grade. 

To participate in the BIO/MBB/MIC 484 internship program, we require the following:

  • 2.75 cumulative GPA or higher for all of the courses
    • Clinical internships may have higher GPA requirements and require an additional application. For more details, please visit the Office of Clinical Partnerships: 
  • Successful completion 45 or more credit hours
  • Secured internship opportunity (student's responsibility)
    • Even if you are in the midst of applying for an internship and won't be notified about your status until after this semester's application due date, please fill out the application form so the Internship Coordinator is aware of your status.
    • Students are encouraged to contact Career Services to learn how to find an internship through Handshake and other sites.  We encourage you to review our Careers page for inspiration on pathways and organizations to pursue. 
  • Please contact ASU Online Internship Coordinator Ivy Esquibel or on-ground Internship Coordinator Christine Ditter if you have questions about the internship requirements or application process. 

Online Biological Sciences students

We encourage you to participate in this program and ask that you follow the same process as outlined above.  BIO 484 is only for internships outside of ASU.  

Questions? Contact ASU Online Internship Coordinator Ivy Esquibel

Benefits of doing an internship 

  • Enhancing your learning in a professional environment
  • Gaining experience with current technology
  • Contributing to significant projects
  • Building personal skills
  • Networking with people working in the science community
  • Developing a resume that highlights desirable skills

Notes and tips for success

  • Which course to enroll in? BIO 484 is for both on-ground and ASU Online SOLS students, MIC 484 is for microbiology students only, MBB 484 is for molecular bioscience and biotechnology students only. BIO 495 is for research experiences at ASU; to register for this course, please complete the Adobe Sign OMNIBUS form.
  • MBB students: Contact Professors Tsafrir Mor; Hugh Mason or Willem Vermaas for assistance in finding your internship. Prior to enrollment, secure approval from one of these professors for the internship
  • Conservation Biology and Ecology students (on-campus and ASU Online): Prior to enrollment, work with your adviser to seek faculty approval to use BIO 484 as the Field Methods requirement in your major.  
    • Dr. Sharon Hall created a dynamic list of resources under the “undergrads” for students interested in conservation and the environment: https://halllab.asu.edu/
  • Study Abroad students: If you are participating in a study abroad experience and the application due date has passed, please contact ASU Online Internship Coordinator Ivy Esquibel or on-ground Internship Coordinator Christine Ditter.
  • If you do not qualify or are not ready to pursue an internship, we encourage you to gain experience through volunteering. Visit ASU’s VolunteerMatch for assistance.