Pursuing an internship is a great way to gain valuable experience in your chosen career path. Career Services can help you during this process. To get started, participate in a Career Preparation Workshop. You can also create an account on Chaps Get Hired to find internship opportunities. Many students have found success through the Disney College program.
Find an Internship
First determine what type of experience you'd like and where you'd ideally like to get the experience and reach out to employers and ask them for an opportunity to intern, even when there isn't a position being advertised. Propose an internship and suggest duties and tasks. This is an excellent tactic and probably the most effective approach to looking for a position of any type.
Ask a librarian at the COD Library to direct you to print resources and Reference USA so you can develop a list of potential employers. To get an idea of what COD interns have done in the past, take a look at the list of positions and job titles. For more ideas of possible sites, visit Career Services.
Advertising Design
- Advertising Design Intern
- TW Metals Design Intern
- Web Intern
Air-Conditioning/HVAC
- HVAC Apprentice
- HVAC Technician
- Maintenance Intern
Architectural Design
- Architecture Assistant to Operations Manager
- Virtual Architectural Model Builder Intern
Auto Service Technology
- Auto Technician
- Maintenance Mechanic
Behavioral and Social Science
- Behavioral and Social Science Intern
- Walt Disney World Intern
Business
- Accounting Intern
- Assistant Manager – Retail Associate
- Underwriter Benefits
- Eligibility Clerk
- Bookkeeper Branch Manager
- Financial Business Analyst
- Business Intern
- Financial Planning Intern
- Inventory Control Coordinator
- National Accounts Intern
- Personal Banking Intern
- Realty Specialist Sales
- Associate Sales
- Staffing
- Consultant Underwriting Technician
- Walt Disney World Intern
Communications
- Customer Service Specialist
- Library Assistant
- Peer Leader Intern
- Student Organization Adviser
- Television Communications Intern
- UPS Trainer
- Volunteer Service Supervisor
- Walt Disney World Intern
- Abercrombie & Kent
- Access Living
- AFLAC
- Air Dynamics
- Allied Benefits Systems
- Allstate Insurance
- American Fidelity Mortgage Services, Inc.
- Americorps NCCC
- AMETEK
- Andy Frain Services
- Anita James Printing
- Argonne Nat’l Laboratory
- Ball Seed
- Berthold’s Flower
- Barn
- Blooming Babies
- Buona Sera
- CAI Designs
- Cantigny
- Central DuPage Hospital
- Claim Jumper Restaurants
- College of DuPage
- Colorburst Studios
- Column Technologies, Inc.
- Comcast SportsNet
- Crowe, Chizek & Co
- Cucina Roma Design Travel, Inc.
- DuPage Children’s Museum
- DuPage Convalescent Center Towers Productions, Inc.
- Electronic Displays, Inc.
- Elmhurst School Dist. 205
- ESPN Radio AM 1000
- Forming America, LTD
- Finish Strong Indoor Sportsplex LLC
- Fountaindale Public Library
- Gottlieb Memorial Hospital – Child Care Development Center
- Heger Travel Bureau
- Hilton Lisle/Naperville
- H.P. Schmaltz & Company
- Hyatt Regency Woodfield Illinois
- Lady Lightning Illinois Nurserymen’s Association
- HOPE
- Indian Lake Resorts
- Jerusalem Post
- Kraft Foods, Inc.
- Leadertech Systems of Chicago, Inc.
- Le Francais
- Marriott International
- Merrill Lynch
- MetLife West Suburban Financial Group
- Monitor Liability Managers, Inc.
- Morton Arboretum
- National Safety Council
- New Beginnings Tours
- Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association, (NEDSRA)
- Office of Senator Durbin
- Parkview Elementary School-Glen Ellyn
- Pearl Design Group, Inc.
- People Educating People
- Pheasant Run Resort
- Portillo’s Restaurant Group
- Project Amigo Quest Food Management Services, Inc.
- Santo Maria Ristorante Italiano
- Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
- Solberg Manufacturing, Inc.
- Springbrook Nature Center
- SRI Physical Therapy
- Starmen Galleries and Design Sterling Works S
- tern Cassello & Associates, LLP
- Sunny Ridge Family Center
- Susan Kezon Photography
- Swiss Financial Services
- Talcott Communications and Publishing
- Total Living Network
- TW Metals
- The Heartland Institute
- Total Living Network
- UNIGLOBE Lawrence
- Travel
- Unilever UBF
- Foodsolutions
- United Community Bank
- UPS
- Village of Bensenville
- Walt Disney World
- Waterdog Records
- Weber Grill Restaurant
- West Chicago Park District
- Wheaton-Warrenville South High School
- Willowbrook High School
- Wilton Homewares
- Winfield Chamber of Commerce
- WTTW11
- Wyndham Lisle-Chicago Hotel & Executive Meeting Center
Computer Information Systems
- Computer Engineering Intern
- Web Developer
- Website Content Specialist Intern
- Web Technical Writer
Computer & Internetworking Technology
- CISCO Lab Technician
- INET Intern
- IT Technician System Support Specialist
Criminal Justice
- Community Service Officer
- Public Police Intern
- Security Personnel
- Walt Disney World Intern
Economics
- Business Analyst Internship at Washington DC
- Financial Assistant
Education/Early Childhood
- Education Assistant Day Care Provider
- Child Care Center Lead Teacher
- Day Camp Assistant Head Counselor
- Early Childhood Center Intern
- Instructional Design Intern
- Junior High School Tutor
- Junior Varsity Coach – Hockey K-5
- After-School Program Supervisor
- Kindergarten Tutor
- Sea Life Education Intern
- Special Education Aide – Middle School
- Special Education Program Assistant
- Teacher Assistant
- Teaching Intern
- Youth and Education Intern
- Youth Group Intern
- Walt Disney World Intern
Engineering
- Civil Engineering Intern
- Drafter
- Engineering Technician/Drafter
Food Service
- Assistant Chef
- Baker’s Assistant
- Banquet Server
- Catering Manager
- Head Chef Assistant
- Culinary Chef II
- Culinary Intern
- Line/Pre-Cook
- Pastry Chef
- Pastry Chef Assistant
- Senior Food Scientist
- Restaurant Server
- Restaurant Manager
- Walt Disney World Intern
Graphic Design
- Graphic Arts Pressman
- Graphic Design Intern
Horticulture
- Greenhouse Production Assistant
- Assistant Grower
- Breeding Technician
- Intern
- Horticulturist
- Landscape Design Assistant
- Landscaping Crew Leader
- Plant Production Intern - Horticulture
- Retail Nursery Sales Associate
Hotel Lodging
- Front Desk Agent
- Guest Services Agent
- Wedding Event Coordinator
- Walt Disney World Intern
Interior Design
- Design Consultant
- Furniture Sales Associate
- Interior Design Consultant
- Interior Design Intern
- Junior Designer Intern
- Kithen & Bath Designer Intern
- Kitchen Studio Design Intern
- Sales Design Associate
- Showroom Assistant
Journalism/English
- International Newspaper Staff Writer
- News Editor
- Newsroom Intern
- Peer Reading/Writing Coach Intern
- Senior Editor/Chef Magazine
- Sports Editor
Liberal Arts
- Hospital Service Support Technician
- UPS Intern
- Walt Disney World Intern
Marketing
- Assistant Technical Director
- Audio Visual Assistant
- Marketing Intern
MPTV
- Media Production Assistant
- Production Specialist - Cable Television
- Video and Drama Director
- Television Production and Studio Intern
Natural Sciences
- Chemistry Lab Intern
Nursing
- Hospital Special Care Technician
- Nursing Intern
Office Technology Information
- Administrative Assistant
- Intermediate Staff Assistant
- Receptionist
Photography
- Photography Assistant
- Photo Editor
- Photograph Intern
- Photo Lab Intern
Physical Education
- Assistant Head Coach
- Athletic Training Assistant
- Camp Team Leader
- Fitness Specialist
- Football Coach - High School
- Personal Fitness Trainer
- Physical Therapy Technician
- Team Leader - Retail
- Volleyball Head Coach
- Walt Disney World Intern
Political Science
- Political Campaign Volunteer Coordinator
- U.S. Senate Intern
Pre-Pharmacy
- Pharmacy Technician
Psychology
- Sales Staffing Consultant
- Team Leader
- Walt Disney World Intern
- Theater
- Walt Disney World Intern
Travel/Tourism
- International Travel Intern
- Meeting and Convention Intern
- Tour Director
- Travel Agency Intern
- Travel Reservation Agent
- Travel/Tourism Intern
- Walt Disney World Intern
Internship Credit
Students who want to pursue an internship for academic credit need to meet the following criteria:
- Be an enrolled College of DuPage student during the term preceding the internship or working toward completion of a COD degree or certificate.
- Complete 12 credit hours in the noted discipline or a related field of study by the start of the internship term. (Note: Credit from other institutions will only be considered if the transcript is submitted to the records office for evaluation).
- Maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA.
Enrollment in academic credit must coincide with the College of DuPage academic calendar and terms. No retroactive credit or hours will be considered.
Academic credit is earned by completing the required work hours and the academic assignments identified by the faculty advisor. The faculty advisor oversees the academic learning throughout the internship. All internship positions must meet COD's Internship Criteria and be approved by Career Services and the appropriate academic department.
- Internship credit is earned by the following work hour calculations:
- 75 work hours + coursework = 1 credit
- 150 work hours + coursework = 2 credits
- 225 work hours + coursework = 3 credits
- 300 work hours + coursework = 4 credits
- Virtual or hybrid internships (experiences where the intern works in a remote setting not physically located at the company or organization) may be considered for academic credit with permission from Career Services.
College of DuPage is committed to supporting academic internship experiences that facilitate learning for students. The College may make adjustments to the noted requirements as deemed necessary. For more information, contact internships@cod.edu to receive the required academic credit forms and gain a better understanding of the documents.
Internship Deadlines
In order to fulfill your internship requirements, students must follow internship registration deadlines and apply for internship credit.
Spring 2024
| Sessions** | Spring 2024 Term Dates | Paperwork Deadline | Student Registration Deadline* | Final Paperwork Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16-Week | 1/22 - 5/10 | Wednesday, Jan. 17 | Monday, Jan. 29 |
Wednesday, May 15 |
| First 12-Week | 1/22 - 4/20 | Wednesday, Jan. 17 | Friday, Jan. 26 | Wednesday, April 24 |
| First 8-Week | 1/22 - 3/16 | Wednesday, Jan. 17 | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | Wednesday, March 20 |
| Second 12-Week | 2/19 - 5/10 | Monday, Feb. 12 | Friday, Feb. 23 | Wednesday, May 15 |
| Second 8-Week | 3/18 - 5/11 | Monday, March 11 | Wednesday, March 20 | Wednesday, May 15 |
*Student must be registered for internship class
Summer 2024
| Sessions** | Summer 2024 Term Dates | Paperwork Deadline | Student Registration Deadline* | Final Paperwork Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Week | 5/28 - 8/3 | Tuesday, May 21 | Friday, May 31 |
Wednesday, Aug. 7 |
| First 8-Week | 5/28 - 7/20 | Tuesday, May 21 | Friday, May 31 | Wednesday, July 24 |
| First 5-Week | 5/28 - 6/29 | Tuesday, May 21 | Tuesday, May 28 | Wednesday, July 3 |
| Second 8-Week | 6/10 - 8/3 | Monday, June 3 | Friday, June 14 | Wednesday, Aug. 7 |
| Second 5-Week | 7/1 - 8/3 | Monday, June 24 | Monday, July 1 | Wednesday, Aug. 7 |
*Student must be registered for internship class
Fall 2024
| Sessions** | Fall 2024 Term Dates | Paperwork Deadline | Student Registration Deadline* | Final Paperwork Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16-Week | 8/19 - 12/13 | Monday, Aug. 12 | Friday, Aug. 30 |
Wednesday, Dec. 18 |
| First 12-Week | 8/19 - 11/9 | Monday, Aug. 12 | Friday, Aug. 23 | Wednesday, Nov. 13 |
| First 8-Week | 8/19 - 10/12 | Monday, Aug. 12 | Friday, Aug. 23 | Wednesday, Oct. 16 |
| Second 12-Week | 9/16 - 12/13 | Monday, Sept. 9 | Friday, Sept. 20 | Wednesday, Dec. 18 |
| Second 8-Week | 10/14 - 12/7 | Monday, Oct. 7 | Friday, Oct. 18 | Wednesday, Dec. 11 |
*Student must be registered for internship class
Internship Contacts
| Academic Program | Contact | Office Location | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary and Hospitality Programs | Laura Lerdal | Culinary & Hospitality Center (CHC), Room 1015 | lerdal@cod.edu | (630) 942-2359 |
| Cosmetology | Tracey Dulceak | McAninch Arts Center (MAC), Room 169 | dulceakt@cod.edu | (630) 942-2514 |
| Horticulture | Brian Clement | Technical Education Center (TEC), Room 1059 | clement@cod.edu | (630) 942-2526 |
| *Career Services | Career Services | Student Services Center (SSC), Room 3258 | internships@cod.edu | (630) 942-2230 |
*Students enrolled in Health Science programs, Human Services, Library & Information Technology and Paralegal should consult their individual programs for clinical/internship details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to your frequently asked questions regarding internships.
All internship courses require a permit to register. Permits are only issued after the student has received approval for his or her academic internship.
Students can visit the following websites to search for an internship:
- CollegeGrad.com
Site contains regional and national internship listings - Idealist
This source for non-profit organizations allows you to search by location and category of interest. - Indeed.com
Search for jobs and internships - Intern Abroad
Search for internships by destination and type. - Internships.com
Search for internship across all 50 states. - Internjobs.com
National database of internships is for current students and graduates. - MoneyGeek
Search for internships by industry - Monster.com
Search for internships by clicking on "Find Jobs", then under key word type “internships.” - My Perfect Resume
Gain tips on Internet job search techniques. - The Washington Center
Internships and seminars for all majors in Washington, D.C. - WayUp.com
Searchable listings are within a range of industries. - ZipRecruiter
Job search for COD Students
Contact Information
Career Services
Student Resource Center (SRC), Room 1140
Email: csc@cod.edu
Phone: (630) 942-2230
Fax: (630) 942-4596
Regular Hours:
Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Follow us:
Instagram: @codcareercenter
Facebook: @codcareerservicescenter
Twitter: @codcareercenter
Linkedin: @codcareercenter