Internships: Student FAQ

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, an internship is a form of realistic learning that incorporates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skill development in a professional setting.

Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields the students are considering as career paths. In addition, employers have the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.

An internship gives the student an opportunity to:

• Gain valuable work experience before completing the program
• Develop new skills and refine other skills
• Apply knowledge gained from coursework to on-the-job situations
• Meet and work with professionals, establishing contacts for letters of reference and networking
• Experience new work environments

During the second-to-last semester of completing your EFSC  program, students should be in contact with the Internship Office to consider potential internship sites and to finalize a cover letter and resume.

Although internships are offered fall, spring and summer terms, the internship course for every program may not be offered every semester. Check with your academic advisor. EFSC students who qualify can begin the internship application process with the Internship Representative starting on the dates listed below by term:

Fall Term Internship: March 1
Spring Term Internship: September 1
Summer Term Internship: February 1

The Internship Office receives internship listings continually for Brevard County, Florida. If students are pursuing an internship outside of the area, the student is responsible for securing the internship site. 

Students can initiate contact with an internship site for placement but it is not necessary.

All internship sites must have approval from the Internship Office.

Visit the Student Internship Information page to review the list of eligible internship courses and the steps in the internship process plus to complete the Student Internship Inquiry form that begins the application process. You will then be contacted by the Internship Representative.

No appointment is necessary. Nearly all internship arrangements are coordinated through phone and email. Very few students visit the Internship Office. Send an email to InternshipOffice@easternflorida.edu. Even when you receive an automated email that the office is facing high demand, ALL emails are read and responded to in a timely manner.

Yes! Each internship course is credit-earning. Generally a course earns from 1 to 3 credits.

Each program has a minimum required number of hours to complete at the internship site. Check the specifics of your program to learn the amount of hours and potential EFSC credits.

Once you submit the Internship Inquiry Form, it is automatically sent to the Internship Office and you will be contacted in the order the form was received. You may receive an initial phone call to the number you gave on the inquiry or by your Titan student email account. Be sure to check your Titan email.

The form's confirmation email includes a link for the required Internship Orientation in Canvas, which you can go ahead and complete. The Canvas course will also create a Canvas email which you can use to contact the Internship Office when you have questions about an upcoming internship.

If you have submitted a Student Internship Inquiry, you need to check the email account that you submitted on the form. An automated email has been sent to you which contains the Orientation link.

If it has been more than two business days and you have not received the confirmation email, please submit the inquiry form again and be mindful of using a complete email address. (The internship office receives many inquiries with incomplete email addresses.)

You can complete the Orientation a semester early, too and you can ask your advisor for the orientation link if needed. 

Many students have been able to use their work location for their internship. This is approved on a case-by-case basis. You will have to contact the Internship Office. In the meantime, you can complete the Orientation in Canvas and update your resume.

Most locations require a background screening and drug test. This is at your expense. The Internship Office will let you know if it is required. The Internship Office uses a third-party clearinghouse for these services and will share that contact information with you when applicable.

The best way to approach an EFSC internship is to complete the Orientation to Internships on Canvas first as it will include information about when to submit forms.

Submit a current resume, cover letter, and list of three locations that are of interest to you that are taken from the Partner Site list.

All internship hours must be earned during the semester you are enrolled in the internship course. You cannot use a prior internship to receive the course credit.

If you are in communication with the Internship Office, the staff will find an internship location for you. Please contact InternshipOffice@easternflorida.edu or call 321-433-5261.