Paid Internships

The Value of Internships

Students
hands-on experiental experience
career related learning
personal development
professional preparation
Sponsoring organizations
delivery of a defined outcome or project
organizational collaboration
further research and recommendations
Humboldt School of Business
providing experiential learning opportunities
enhancing links to the community

Community Internships

The Cal Poly Humboldt School of Business Academic Internship Program started in 2012 with generous funding provided by the Patricia D. and William B. Smullin Foundation. Our primary goal with the internship program is to add value to our sites through the contributions of qualified and dedicated interns while improving the professional preparedness of our students and improving our local workforce. This is truly a win-win situation. 

Our program runs every spring semester with the recruiting of students and sites happening during fall semester. This program is for undergraduate business seniors with concentrations in one of our five areas (accounting, economics, finance, management and entrepreneurship, and marketing) graduating in the same year the internship happens with a 3.0 or higher GPA.  Interns spend 180 hours at their internship site while taking a 4 unit class (BA 482) that can count for their major. They also receive a $3,000 stipend. Interns are mentored by two professionals – the Internship Coordinator and the organization’s intern site supervisor.  Our program survives off of the generosity of our business internship sites and our donors. It is helpful, but not required, if the internship site can pay all or some of the stipend since it will help ensure the longevity of this incredible experience for our students and our local employers. 

To find out more information or if you would like to be on the email list for site or student recruitment for the internship program, please send Dr. Nancy Vizenor, Internship Coordinator, an email at ncv2@humboldt.edu.

VITA Internships

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA Internship, 2 units) Program provides students with hands-on opportunities for tax preparation for clients in our community. All of the VITA Interns will be working on-site at Cal Poly Humboldt, with the possibility of helping at additional VITA sites in the community.  Duties will include certifying through the Internal Revenue Service test site at the advanced level of income tax preparation as the prerequisite for all future activities.   Included in the training is a section on ethics and the required Standard of Conduct.  Interns will meet and interview members of the community, and use an on-line tax preparation computer program to input the required information and prepare an accurate and complete Federal and State tax return.  Interns will be required to research and apply current tax law while using accepted accounting procedures as they investigate various issues involving the clients served.
Interns will be required to conduct Quality Review checks on each tax return prepared.  In addition to the technical expertise required, Interns must develop/possess excellent communication skills as they interview clients and discuss the application of the tax law as it pertains to that individual’s tax return.  Upon completing the Internship, students will be proficient in researching and applying tax law, while completing individual tax returns of varying difficulty levels and diverse issues. This program provides critical services to the communities we serve.

  • Position Type: Internship
  • Position Detail: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
  • Undergrad or Graduate: Undergraduate
  • Work Study not accepted
  • Stipend-Funded Positions Available: 15
  • Available for Spring term only
  • 4 Hours per week
  • Academic Credits: 2
  • Submit application materials to VITA Internship Program Director (see School of Business website for details)
  • Academic Preparation and Pre-Requisites: Must enroll in BA 482; Business Major with an Accounting concentration, 3.0 GPA; need recommendation from advisor and Humboldt faculty member; IRS Certification at the Advanced level required after training (provided in class); tax accounting background preferred but not required.
  • Skills Required: Possesses good interpersonal skills; ability to maintain a professional demeanor; maintain high ethical standards while accessing confidential client information; work with computers; ability to research as needed
  • Site of Work: School of Business with the possibility of working ad additional VITA sites in the community
  • Brief Position Description: Prepares tax returns for community members and provides assistance with tax-related issues.

For more information regarding the VITA Program please contact: VITA@humboldt.edu