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Internships

Career Services Center

Internship Programs at Nevada State

Every student should consider completing an internship at least once during their college career. Participating in an internship provides hands-on experience in a field of interest and allows students to apply skills in a professional environment. Internships also help expand a professional network and build a resume. Additionally, data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), show that students who participate in at least one internship during college have a higher chance of securing a full-time job after graduation and are significantly more likely to receive multiple full-time job offers (2019).

For-Credit Internships

A for-credit internship is where students receive academic credit for their internship experience through a designated internship/practicum course and is recorded on their university transcript. These courses are often  used towards a student’s overall degree requirements, depending on the program. See more information below.

If you are a School of Nursing or School of Education student, please see the School of Nursing Students or School of Education Students tabs as you will have specific hands-on learning requirements as a part of your curriculum.

The following major and minor programs in Liberal Arts, Sciences & Business currently offer internship courses at NS:

  • Biology (BIOL 399= 1-4 credits)
  • Business Administration (not currently running)
  • Criminal Justice (CRJ 491= 3 credits)
  • Counseling (COU 497= 4 credits)
  • Communication (COM 499= 3 credits)
  • Environmental Resource Science (NRES 416= 1-4 credits)
  • History/ History Pre-Law (not currently running)
  • Interpreting (AM 450= 3 credits)
  • Psychology (PSY 497= 4 credits)
  • Visual Media (VIS 499= 3 credits)

Important Internship Course Information:

There is no guarantee that these courses will be offered each semester. Refer to the class schedule to when internship courses are offered. Also be sure to refer to the course catalog to see any required prerequisites to enrolling in the course. All internship courses do require at minimum instructor AND Career Services’ approval to enroll. Students will be blocked from enrolling in any internship course without instructor approval.

If you have questions about how an internship course may fit into your degree plan, refer to your degree plan on the NS webpage and reach out to your academic advisor to confirm eligibility and to discuss course planning and internship credits.

School of Education Students

If you are a student in the School of Education (ALL programs) your degree will require you to complete an experiential learning course as a part of your curriculum.

  • For Education students, you will be required to student teach in your last semester in your education program. The course you take will depend on your education level and concentration:
    • EECE 491- Student Teaching in ECE
    •  EDEL 483-Elementary Supervised Student Teaching
    • EDSP 493-Supervised Internship in Special Education
    • EDSC 483-Secondary Supervised Teaching Internship
  • For Speech Pathology students, both in the bachelor’s and master’s level, you will be required to work with SPA clinicians in one of the following courses:
    • Bachelor’s Degree: SPA 441- Clinical Practicum
    • Master’s Degree: SPA 790- Practicum Externship or SPA 706- Advanced Practicum in Schools

The aforementioned experiential learning courses function similarly to internships in that they provide hands-on experience facilitated through academic faculty before graduating. Students in any School of Education program are welcome to participate in an additional learning experience (such as an internship) to gain more experience. However, it is important to note that internships within education or education adjacent fields will often focus on social work, behavioral services/education (including ABA services) administrative duties and the like. These experiences can still be valuable for students looking to gain a wider perspective on the education field, but will often not provide direct student interactions in a classroom setting.

Your direct interactions in providing curricular support for students in the classroom or providing individuals with speech therapy (SLP), will come from the curricular hands-on learning requirements for your degree listed above. Traditional internships often do not take place directly in a classroom setting or in directly providing speech therapy to individuals as these types of experiences require individuals to have have specific licensures/certifications or be enrolled in programs that lead towards licensures/certifications- i.e. NS’s Education and SLP programs. These experiences are are facilitated through SoE and local community partners (such as CCSD) so that the SoE can confirm enrollment in an Education or SLP program and confirm that those students have the necessary skills and certifications to provide that level of support or care.

Students in SOE programs should also be cognizant of their course load and personal commitments when considering completing an additional learning experience as internships can require you to work anywhere from 8-12 hours per week depending on the site.

In most cases, if you are looking to gain additional experience, we recommend that students seek out part-time jobs in their field or consider volunteer opportunities or reach out to employers to inquire about job shadowing, as some of these options may provide more flexibility for student’s schedules. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities or need help finding job opportunities, you can make an appointment with Career Services.

School of Nursing Students

If you are a student in the School of Nursing (both PT & FT tracks) your degree will require you to complete an experiential learning course as a part of your curriculum:

  • For Nursing, you will be required to complete clinical rotations for academic credit that take place in your last semester in the nursing program in NURS 484 Nursing Immersion- Professional Practice / Praxis (6 credits)

The aforementioned experiential learning courses function similarly to internships in that they provide hands-on experience in a healthcare setting before graduating. Students in any School of Nursing program are welcome to participate in an additional learning experience (such as an internship) to gain more experience. However, it is important to note that internships within healthcare or healthcare adjacent fields will often focus on case management, social work, administrative duties and the like. These experiences can still be valuable for students looking to gain a wider perspective on the healthcare field, but they will not provide direct patient care experience.

Direct patient care is typically only delegated to students who are working towards degrees/licensures/certifications that make them qualified to provide direct patient care- i.e. enrolled in NS’s Nursing program.  SoN clinical rotations where students get direct patient care experience are facilitated through SoN and local community partners (hospitals) so that SoN can confirm enrollment in a Nursing program and confirm that those students have the necessary skills and certifications to provide direct patient care (ex: CNA, CPR).

Before considering internships, students in SON programs should also be cognizant of their course load and personal commitments when considering completing an additional learning experience as internships can require you to work anywhere from 8-12 hours per week depending on the site.

In most cases, if you are looking to gain additional experience, we recommend that students seek out part-time jobs in their field or consider volunteer opportunities or reach out to employers to inquire about job shadowing, as some of these options may provide more flexibility for student’s schedules. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities or need help finding job opportunities, you can make an appointment with Career Services.

Must be seeking enrollment in internship course to apply for these opportunities.

Important Info & Disclaimers:

  • Per college policy, NS requires that any time a student completes a for-credit internship, there must be a contract in place between NS and the internship employer. All the internships listed below have the required paperwork and are approved by the college for students to pursue for academic credit. If you wish to intern at a site that is not listed, you must get prior approval from Career Services.
  • Sites that do not have a hyperlinked informational document are still approved sites.
  • While we strive to keep our records and information updated, we cannot control sudden staffing changes and/or changes in internship position from our employer partners. Therefore, information on the documents hyperlinked is subject to change at any time. If a point of contct lised is no longer with the organization, we encourage students to identify points of contact at sites of interest on their own if possible. 

Biology (BIOL 399)

Communications (COM 499)

Other sites for COM 499 have been coordinated with the course instructor, Sebern Coleman. Please reach out to him for further details on COM 499.

Criminal Justice (CRJ 491)

Law, Government & Public Policy

Victim Services & Social Services 

Natural & Environmental Resource Science (NRES 416)

Psychology & Counseling (PSY 497/COU 497)

ABA / Autism Therapy Services

Mental Health Services & Addiction Treatment Services

Victim Services & Social Services 

Visual Media (VIS 499)

  • Mass Media LLC
  • Design on Edge (Reno based)
  • Grafics Unlimited (Reno based)
  • StanCan Design (Reno based)
  • TMCC Marketing & Communications Department (Reno based)

 

It is recommended that students start this process 3-4 months in advance from when the semester they want their internship to take place to ensure you meet enrollment deadlines.

  1. Consider your career goals and interest areas
  2. Review approved internship sites to identify sites of interest (under Internships Opportunities For – Credit tab)
  3. Have your resume and/or cover letter reviewed by Career Services
  4. Reach out and/or apply for internship positions at sites of interest
  5. Complete any necessary steps on the employer’s part (ex: they may have you do an interview or a background check)
  6. Once you have an internship secured, reach out to the professor teaching the appropriate internship class you wish to enroll in and Career Servies at career@nevadastate.edu.
  7. If you get the OK from both the professor and Career Services, you will be granted permissions to enroll in the internship course
  8. You go in your student center and enroll in the course

 

**If the site you wish to intern at for-credit is not listed, you will first need to get that site approved. Students are not able to enroll in internship courses until the internship sites have completed our required paperwork. Please contact Career Services at career@nevadastate.edu to request a new internship site approval. Please note: there is no guarantee that a new site will be approved. Career Services works with employers to ensure their opportunities are beneficial to student’s learning and to their major/minor program curriculum.

Undocumented Students

Students with DACA

Students who have DACA are eligible for most internships. With your DACA and SSN, you should be able to apply to any internship, as long as they do not state that you must be a citizen or permanent resident to apply (this is not very common, but may be seen with law-enforcement related internships or internships at various gov. offices/agencies).

Students without DACA

Students without DACA are also eligible to complete internships. While there may be some specific internships you are ineligible for, we still have some great opportunities available for you! Some things to consider when looking for opportunities include if they are paid, and if they require a background check.

More than likely, you will not be able to take part in paid internships as they usually require a SSN in order to be paid.

Additionally, you should be aware of any background check requirements. There are different types of background checks available, and not all require a SSN. Some may only require your name and home address. Please be advised that most internships related to law-enforcement or that work with public gov. agencies typically require a full-federal background check that must be completed with a SSN. If you see a background check listed as a requirement for an internship you want to apply to, it can be beneficial to ask the employer what type of information would be needed to complete the background check, and if there are alternative options for a background check if you feel comfortable doing so.

If you have questions about how to navigate the internship process and  see which internships you would be eligible to apply for, make sure to make an appointment with a Career Advisor in Career Services.

 

Justice-Impacted/History of Criminal Conviction Students

Justice-impacted students are eligible to complete internships.

Before applying, you should be aware of any background check requirements. There are different types of background checks available, and not all will require a full criminal conviction/record history; some may only require your name and home address so that your information can be checked on the National Sex Offender Public website. 

In some cases, a criminal record may not deter an internship site from hiring an individual with a record unless the conviction is directly or closely related to the work at the organization or if the organization works with vulnerable populations. 

If you have questions about how to navigate the internship process and discuss your options, make sure to make an appointment with a Career Advisor in Career Services.

 

Before Applying

Most internships will require at minimum a resume to apply. While internship applications can vary in what they require you to submit, you can almost always expect them to ask for a resume. In addition to a resume, some internships may ask for:

  • Cover letter
  • Official or unofficial transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • References
  • Interview (after you apply)

It is important to look at any application requirements and application processes listed or reach out to the employer and inquire to ensure that you complete your application and the application process fully to be considered.

Once you find out what you will need to prepare before applying to the internship, we suggest making an appointment with Career Services. The Career Services Center can support students with all of the items mentioned above. To make an appointment with our office, please visit our Career Services webpage.

 

Additional Tips

  1. Begin the process early! You should begin searching and applying for internship 3-4 months before you can expect your internship to begin.
  2. Don’t give up! Securing an internship is very similar to securing a job. It can often take a few “no’s” and a few months before you receive an offer.
  3. Don’t rely on just one strategy for finding internships. Most folks will only look online for opportunities, but many internships are shared through word-of-mouth. We always encourage students to talk to the Internship Manager about available opportunities, talk to their peers about internships they have completed, inquire with faculty about opportunities they know of, and reach out to others in their personal networks via social media. Utilizing multiple strategies in the internship process will usually yield the best results for students, and may even land them a position they never knew existed had they not made those further connections.
  4. Make sure your resume is up to date. A resume is often required to apply to most internship postings. An updated and professional resume is essential to sending a strong and positive first impression to employers.

Safety Tips

As you conduct your internship search, remember to carefully evaluate all job postings, interviews, and offers. Unfortunately, there are scammers and criminals who post fraudulent job and internship postings in hopes to scam individuals for money and/or personal information. Read below to learn about job/internship search safety tips and common red flags of fraudulent postings.

 

1. Use common sense when applying for employment/internship opportunities.

  • Postings offering a job “guarantee” or that ask you to buy study materials, send money for certification or placement should be avoided. Legitimate organizations do not make guarantees or ask for payment to hire or train you.
  • If the position is offering a lot of money for very little work, it more than likely is a scam.
  • Be alert when position descriptions are vague, promotes mainly how much money you could make, and/or includes many spelling and grammatical errors.

2. Never cash a check for, or give any money to, an employer.

  • Don’t apply to job listings that use language such as “money transfers” or “wiring funds.”
  • Beware of check-cashing scams. If someone asks you to deposit a check or money order into your personal account and send money to another individual, don’t do it.
  • Do not agree to have funds or paychecks directly deposited into any accounts by a new employer. (Arrangements for direct deposit or paycheck should be made during your first day or week of actual employment on site – not before.)

3. Research the employer. Meet in-person at their place of business (if possible).

  • Research (i.e. Google) the employer’s physical address, phone number, and/or email address to be sure it is connected to an actual business organization. Research a company for legitimacy by visiting the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) and/or Hoovers (www.hoovers.com).
  • Meet face-to-face with a potential employer. An in-person interview or informal chat will help you determine the employer’s intentions.

4. Do NOT give out personal information.

  • Do not give your personal bank account, PayPal account, or credit card information to a new employer. The only exception would be if you are being paid as an intern and you are receiving funds via direct deposit. However, if you do need to provide this information, never give it out over email or phone.
  • If requested, do not fax copies of your identification or Social Security number to an unknown person. Offer these documents to your employer only when you are physically at the place of employment.

Other Red Flags:

  • You are contacted via phone or email for a position you never applied to.
  • The employer contacts you by phone, however, there is no way to call them back. The number is not available or disconnected.

What to Do if You Are Already Involved in a Scam:

  • Contact the local police. Report the fraudulent employer to the local police, who may choose to conduct an investigation (regardless of whether the scam artist is local or in another state).
  • Contact your bank. If you sent money to a fraudulent employer and/or shared your personal banking information, contact your bank or credit card company immediately to protect the account and dispute the charges.
  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is the nation’s consumer protection agency, which collects complaints about companies, business practices, and identity theft. File a complaint by going to www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or by calling the FTC at: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
  • Contact the Career Services Center so we can review the position/employer and be informed about the job scam. Email career@nevadastate.edu.

Can my job count as an internship for-credit?

No. Your current job cannot count as an internship; an internship needs to be a new learning experience. Using your current employment towards academic credit is considered Credit For Prior Learning which Nevada State does not offer at this time. 

You may be able to intern at your current place of work if you are able to gain new experiences and skills through tasks and responsibilities that differ from the tasks and responsibilities of your employment. Even though interning with your current employer can be preferable in some cases, we always encourage students to try to secure an internship outside of their current place of employment. Interning with a new employer will allow you to see what it would be like to work for another type of employer, make new professional connections and strengthen your resume.

Instances where students wish to intern at their current place of work must be vetted through the appropriate internship faculty member and Career Services before they can be approved for any internship course.

The only time a student can complete an internship within the same organization that they are employed is if they meet the following requirements:

  • Duties/responsibilities of internship differ from current job to provide new skills that relate to career goals/align with academic major
  • Internship hours occur outside the confines of current job hours
  • The intern has a different supervisor for their internship than their current job*
  • The intern completes work in a different office/department/division from their current job*

* Not necessarily required, but will be examined on a case-by-case basis.

Coming soon.

Scorpion Intern Funding Program

We are not currently accepting applications for the Scorpion Intern Funding Program (SIFP). We estimate we will re-start the funding programs and begin accepting applications either in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025.

The Career Services Center is offering funds to students participating in unpaid internship experiences. The purpose of the Scorpion Intern Funding Program (SIFP) is to encourage experiential learning opportunities that help students prepare for their careers while reducing financial challenges of participating in an unpaid internship. 

* Notice for School of Education or School of Nursing Students: This funding cannot be applied to clinical or student teaching experiences that are required per the School of Nursing (SON) and the School of Education (SOE) curriculum. However, the funding can be applied to unpaid internship opportunities in healthcare and/or education for students in the SON or SOE as long as the internship is completed outside of the scope of curriculum requirements.

TD.Us Internship Funding Program

TheDream.US (TD.US), in partnership with Nevada State, will provide internship funds for accepted TD.US Scholars with and without work authorization. These internships will enable TD.US Scholars to gain and demonstrate skills, explore career paths, and build their networks, as they are mentored by their Host Organization. This program is overseen in collaboration between the Career Services Center (CSC) and the Undocumented Student Program (USP). 

If you are an undocumented student at Nevada State and have questions about other resources and support available for undocumented students, please visit our Undocumented Student Program (USP) website. The USP is housed within the office of Community, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CEDI). TheDream.US scholarship is now available for current NS students with any amount of credits – not just incoming freshman! Visit weblink above for more info.

Not-For-Credit Internships

An internship not for credit is when a student completes an internship and does not receive academic credit and it is not recorded on a student’s academic transcript. Many students complete internships without academic credit so that they can build their professional skills and experiences. See more information below.

This is not an exhaustive list. Not all internships listed are paid. Please note that pay is not guaranteed; you are encouraged to speak with the organization to confirm if the internship you are applying for is still paid.

These positions are not vetted as this is meant to be a resource list.  Career Services cannot make any guarantees on any of the positions listed. Please make an appointment with the Career Services Center if you have further questions on internships.

Non-Credit Internships.xlsx

Use Handshake

Handshake is NS’s online job and internship board, run by the Career Services Center. Many on and off-campus employers in the area and across the country utilize Handshake to opportunities for students. All NSC students and recent alumni already have a Handshake account. To log into Handshake:

  • Visit handshake.nevadastate.edu and click on the blue NS Login button.
  • Enter your NSHE ID# and NS password.
  • Click on the “Jobs” tab and then filter for internships.
  • Trouble logging in? Email career@nsc.edu.

Attend Career Services Center Events

Attending career-related events with professional guest speakers and employers is a great way to learn about internship opportunities and network with professionals. To view a list of upcoming career-related events hosted by the Career Services Center, go to Scorpion Central.

Schedule an Appointment with a Career Advisor

Career Advisors can help students narrow down internship fields of interest, create resumes and cover letters, prep their interview skills, and find internship positions. To make an appointment, go to Penji: https://web.penjiapp.com/schools/nsc/communities/career-services-center 

Additional Ways to Search for Internships

  • Look directly on company websites of interest! Many employers only post on their internal job pages and not on Indeed, Linkedin, etc.
  • Ask friends and/or family if they know of any companies that are offering internships.
  • Ask faculty if they know of any internship opportunities.
  • Attend local career fairs, employer recruiting events, and networking events.
  • Use online sites to network and search for opportunities such as LinkedIn or Internships.com.
  • Expand your network and connect with professionals in your areas of interest to seek advice. You can do this by attending events, getting involved in clubs/organizations, volunteering, working, or by simply reaching out to professionals in your area of interest and starting a conversation.

We highly recommend reporting your non-credit internship to Career Services  via our Non-Credit Internship Reporting Form. By informing Career Services of your internship, we will be able to provide you with support and assistance through your internship, should any issues arise. By reporting, you are also automatically entered in for a chance to win a prize pack valued at over $75! We choose up to 3 students each semester.

 

Undocumented Students

Students with DACA

Students who have DACA are eligible for most internships. With your DACA and SSN, you should be able to apply to any internship, as long as they do not state that you must be a citizen or permanent resident to apply (this is not very common, but may be seen with law-enforcement related internships or internships at various gov. offices/agencies).

Students without DACA

Students without DACA are also eligible to complete internships. While there may be some specific internships you are ineligible for, we still have some great opportunities available for you! Some things to consider when looking for opportunities include if they are paid, and if they require a background check.

More than likely, you will not be able to take part in paid internships as they usually require a SSN in order to be paid.

Additionally, you should be aware of any background check requirements. There are different types of background checks available, and not all require a SSN. Some may only require your name and home address. Please be advised that most internships related to law-enforcement or that work with public gov. agencies typically require a full-federal background check that must be completed with a SSN. If you see a background check listed as a requirement for an internship you want to apply to, it can be beneficial to ask the employer what type of information would be needed to complete the background check, and if there are alternative options for a background check if you feel comfortable doing so.

If you have questions about how to navigate the internship process and  see which internships you would be eligible to apply for, make sure to make an appointment with a Career Advisor in Career Services.

 

Justice-Impacted/History of Criminal Conviction Students

Justice-impacted students are eligible to complete internships.

Before applying, you should be aware of any background check requirements. There are different types of background checks available, and not all will require a full criminal conviction/record history; some may only require your name and home address so that your information can be checked on the National Sex Offender Public website. 

In some cases, a criminal record may not deter an internship site from hiring an individual with a record unless the conviction is directly or closely related to the work at the organization or if the organization works with vulnerable populations. 

If you have questions about how to navigate the internship process and discuss your options, make sure to make an appointment with a Career Advisor in Career Services.

In many cases, only current students are eligible for internships. While some employers will accept or recruit recent graduates, many employers will only offer internships to students who are still enrolled in courses. This is because employers want to offer these experiences that will complement classroom learning, provide a glimpse into that organization or career field, and be an experience to build up a resume before students graduate and pursue full-time work. If you are a current student, we highly encourage you to take advantage of internships while still enrolled, as the options after graduation are extremely limited. However, we do understand that sometimes completing an internship as a student is not feasible for a number of reasons.

Of the internship opportunities that may be available to alumni, they often require that you are 6 months or less out from your graduation date at the time you apply to be eligible. In some cases, it may even be less.

It is important to note that you should carefully read any eligibility or applicant criteria before applying to ensure you are eligible as an alumni for any internship position. 

What if I can’t or don’t want to receive academic credit for my internship?

You are not required to pursue academic credit for an internship experience as Liberal Arts, Sciences & Business student (Nursing & Education students see “School of Nursing Students” or “School of Education Students” dropdown), it is just highly recommended in most cases. If you are uncertain about if internship course is right for you or if you are eligible, we suggest you contact your academic advisor to explore your options.

If you do not take an internship course, you can still complete an internship, you just would not receive academic credit and it would not be recorded on your transcript. We highly recommend reporting your non-credit internship to the Career Services Internship Manager via our Non-Credit Internship Reporting Form. By informing Career Services of your internship, we will be able to provide you with support and assistance through your internship, should any issues arise.

It is important to note that some employers require their interns to receive academic credit for their internships. You should carefully read any eligibility requirements listed for an internship and inquire with an employer if you do not intend to receive academic credit for the internship in question.

Before Applying

Most internships will require at minimum a resume to apply. While internship applications can vary in what they require you to submit, you can almost always expect them to ask for a resume. In addition to a resume, some internships may ask for:

  • Cover letter
  • Official or unofficial transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • References
  • Interview (after you apply)

It is important to look at any application requirements and application processes listed or reach out to the employer and inquire to ensure that you complete your application and the application process fully to be considered.

Once you find out what you will need to prepare before applying to the internship, we suggest making an appointment with Career Services. The Career Services Center can support students with all of the items mentioned above. To make an appointment with our office, please visit our Career Services webpage.

 

Additional Tips

  1. Begin the process early! You should begin searching and applying for internship 3-4 months before you can expect your internship to begin.
  2. Don’t give up! Securing an internship is very similar to securing a job. It can often take a few “no’s” and a few months before you receive an offer.
  3. Don’t rely on just one strategy for finding internships. Most folks will only look online for opportunities, but many internships are shared through word-of-mouth. We always encourage students to talk to the Internship Manager about available opportunities, talk to their peers about internships they have completed, inquire with faculty about opportunities they know of, and reach out to others in their personal networks via social media. Utilizing multiple strategies in the internship process will usually yield the best results for students, and may even land them a position they never knew existed had they not made those further connections.
  4. Make sure your resume is up to date. A resume is often required to apply to most internship postings. An updated and professional resume is essential to sending a strong and positive first impression to employers.

Safety Tips

As you conduct your internship search, remember to carefully evaluate all job postings, interviews, and offers. Unfortunately, there are scammers and criminals who post fraudulent job and internship postings in hopes to scam individuals for money and/or personal information. Read below to learn about job/internship search safety tips and common red flags of fraudulent postings.

 

1. Use common sense when applying for employment/internship opportunities.

  • Postings offering a job “guarantee” or that ask you to buy study materials, send money for certification or placement should be avoided. Legitimate organizations do not make guarantees or ask for payment to hire or train you.
  • If the position is offering a lot of money for very little work, it more than likely is a scam.
  • Be alert when position descriptions are vague, promotes mainly how much money you could make, and/or includes many spelling and grammatical errors.

2. Never cash a check for, or give any money to, an employer.

  • Don’t apply to job listings that use language such as “money transfers” or “wiring funds.”
  • Beware of check-cashing scams. If someone asks you to deposit a check or money order into your personal account and send money to another individual, don’t do it.
  • Do not agree to have funds or paychecks directly deposited into any accounts by a new employer. (Arrangements for direct deposit or paycheck should be made during your first day or week of actual employment on site – not before.)

3. Research the employer. Meet in-person at their place of business (if possible).

  • Research (i.e. Google) the employer’s physical address, phone number, and/or email address to be sure it is connected to an actual business organization. Research a company for legitimacy by visiting the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) and/or Hoovers (www.hoovers.com).
  • Meet face-to-face with a potential employer. An in-person interview or informal chat will help you determine the employer’s intentions.

4. Do NOT give out personal information.

  • Do not give your personal bank account, PayPal account, or credit card information to a new employer. The only exception would be if you are being paid as an intern and you are receiving funds via direct deposit. However, if you do need to provide this information, never give it out over email or phone.
  • If requested, do not fax copies of your identification or Social Security number to an unknown person. Offer these documents to your employer only when you are physically at the place of employment.

Other Red Flags:

  • You are contacted via phone or email for a position you never applied to.
  • The employer contacts you by phone, however, there is no way to call them back. The number is not available or disconnected.

What to Do if You Are Already Involved in a Scam:

  • Contact the local police. Report the fraudulent employer to the local police, who may choose to conduct an investigation (regardless of whether the scam artist is local or in another state).
  • Contact your bank. If you sent money to a fraudulent employer and/or shared your personal banking information, contact your bank or credit card company immediately to protect the account and dispute the charges.
  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is the nation’s consumer protection agency, which collects complaints about companies, business practices, and identity theft. File a complaint by going to www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or by calling the FTC at: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
  • Contact the Career Services Center so we can review the position/employer and be informed about the job scam. Email career@nevadastate.edu.

Scorpion Intern Funding Program

We are not currently accepting applications for the Scorpion Intern Funding Program (SIFP). We estimate we will re-start the funding programs and begin accepting applications either in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025.

The Career Services Center is offering funds to students participating in unpaid internship experiences. The purpose of the Scorpion Intern Funding Program (SIFP) is to encourage experiential learning opportunities that help students prepare for their careers while reducing financial challenges of participating in an unpaid internship. 

* Notice for School of Education or School of Nursing Students: This funding cannot be applied to clinical or student teaching experiences that are required per the School of Nursing (SON) and the School of Education (SOE) curriculum. However, the funding can be applied to unpaid internship opportunities in healthcare and/or education for students in the SON or SOE as long as the internship is completed outside of the scope of curriculum requirements.

TD.Us Internship Funding Program

TheDream.US (TD.US), in partnership with Nevada State, will provide internship funds for accepted TD.US Scholars with and without work authorization. These internships will enable TD.US Scholars to gain and demonstrate skills, explore career paths, and build their networks, as they are mentored by their Host Organization. This program is overseen in collaboration between the Career Services Center (CSC) and the Undocumented Student Program (USP). 

If you are an undocumented student at Nevada State and have questions about other resources and support available for undocumented students, please visit our Undocumented Student Program (USP) website. The USP is housed within the office of Community, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CEDI). TheDream.US scholarship is now available for current NS students with any amount of credits – not just incoming freshman! Visit weblink above for more info.

Student Intern Testimonials

Percy Leal, Criminal Justice Major, Crisis Advocate Intern at SafeNest [SU 21]

“[During my internship, I was] responsible for going out on-call to be on scene with domestic violence victims in their time of need. I also collaborated with other advocates to provide the most effective assistance & resources. [I would definitely recommend SafeNest to other students interested];  It is really unique experience to go out in the field as an intern, and learn from your peers in a quickly evolving field such as victim advocacy.”

Jenna Russel, Business Admin Major, Project Management Intern at CreditOne [FA 21]

“[During my internship] one of my projects was adding streaming to our credit card rewards for our customers, it got approved by the CMO and will be seen by all our customers! I also got to update marketing language, create internal focus groups, and more. I [have enjoyed] building connections with people and learning about different departments to expand my knowledge.”

Briahnna Carrera, Human Health Science Major, Research Intern at DRI [SU 21]

“[During my internship] I worked on a project for NASA where we studied the microbiome onboard the International Space Station. I also assisted on a project that dealt with developing standards for the quantification of environmental DNA. I enjoyed being able to form professional relationships and getting to do something that gets my name out there, especially in such a challenging field of work.”

Christina Paris, Deaf Studies Major, Interpreting Intern at CCSD [SP 22]

“[During my internship] I learned how to communicate with elementary level students both Deaf and hearing, meet professional standards in a classroom setting as an interpreter, [and] build relationships with current school district interpreters. [I really enjoyed getting to] build trust with students to make sure they knew I was there to support them.”