Internships

Internship Process & Paperwork

At Career Services, we understand the importance of gaining professional skills through hands-on experience. That's why we encourage students to find internships in their fields of study. Internships can often be used to gain credit toward finishing your degree. Additionally, for some programs of study, it is necessary to have an internship to graduate. Career Services facilitates internships through Handshake.

• STEP 1: Meet with Faculty Internship Coordinator

  Contact your faculty internship coordinator to discuss options in your field of study. Your internship coordinator will help determine if your internship meets Colorado Mesa University’s standards to receive college credit.

• STEP 2: Complete Digital Paperwork

  Double check that the contact information for each party is entered correctly. You will receive an email in 2-3 business days from "Colorado Mesa University via DocuSign" with a link to complete the digital paperwork.

  • Click HERE to complete the form and initiate the digital internship paperwork process.

  • View an EXAMPLE copy of the document to see what information is required.

• STEP 3: Submit Internship Experience in Handshake

  Once you have determined where you will complete your internship, you'll need to submit an internship "Experience" in Handshake.

  • Log into Handshake, then from the "Career Center", click on "Experiences" and "Submit Experience".

  • View Step-by-Step Directions to Submit an Experience in Handshake

• STEP 4: Register for Course

  Work with your faculty internship coordinator to register for the course and you can begin your internship.

  • Students must pay for the internship as they would in any other class. (i.e. a three-credit hour internship costs the same as a three-credit class; and a nine-credit hour internship is equal to the cost of three, three-credit hour classes).

• STEP 5: Begin Your Internship

  Work with your faculty internship coordinator to register for the course and you can begin your internship.

  • Be sure to check in regularly with your faculty internship coordinator and complete the required coursework.

  • Complete your internship evaluations in Handshake by the posted deadline. Departments use these evaluations to ensure students have had the most fulfilling internship experience possible.