Finding an internship is not an easy task – it is overwhelming, tedious, and often seems impossible. You have to take into consideration the location, time commitment, and requirements, while also worrying about fulfilling your degree and maintaining a campus job. 

As a Political Science Public-Service major, when I was searching for ways to secure internships, I learned about an incredible program called UC Center Sacramento offered through UC Davis. Applying to the program was not only a simple task, but proved to be valuable toward the development of my professional, personal, and academic growth. 

Learning Through Experience at UC Center Sacramento

The program is offered every quarter – including summer – and students are placed into internships through a referral process, meaning no endless searching for the right job. You can also ease the academic stress by taking program-specific courses alongside your internship, which can count toward your major.

Securing an internship is only the first step. Once you’ve got the job, you’ll also have to adjust to a new schedule and prepare for a unique learning experience. I secured an internship with a California State Legislative office, which allowed me to expand my network beyond campus and gain first-hand experience working in Sacramento. Not only did I get to interact with other students from the cohort, I was able to visit the State Capitol building, sit in on committee hearings, and engage with legislators! 

Research, Policy, and Real-World Impact

During my internship, I was given the opportunity to participate in policy analysis via research. Through this immersive experience, I expanded my understanding of the policymaking landscape in California and gained research, writing, and presentation skills. With these, I presented my research at the Undergraduate Research Showcase at the end of the quarter.

Making the Most of Your Internship Experience

How can you make the most out of your experience? Ten weeks may seem long, but it goes by quickly. I highly recommend networking with your peers, professors, and internship staff to build lasting relationships. Recently, I was invited back to attend a welcome luncheon at the Center as an alum, where I met the new executive director and the current fall cohort. I even stopped by to visit a professor from the program during office hours here at UC Davis. Staying connected takes effort, but it’s well worth it.

Other pieces of advice? I definitely recommend taking photos with your cohort and internship staff, not only to capture great memories, but also to share your experience on LinkedIn! And don’t forget to visit the Career Center for help updating your résumé with your new experience.

Opportunities await and they are closer than you think. Your next experience could be just beyond UC Davis!

• Find Opportunities Like This

• Check out Science's Student Leadership and Development on our College of Letters and Science website as well as the Job & Internship Search -- Types of Opportunities page on the Career Center. It organizes opportunities into internships, on-campus jobs, part-time jobs, volunteer, health-related experiences, and more. 
  
  If you are interested in the UC Center Sacramento (UCCS) mentioned in this article, be sure to check out their website!