The American Internship Experience provides students with the skills and work experience needed in the global business environment. The certificate is an excellent opportunity for students to pursue their field of study and directly apply their knowledge to a real-life work setting.

Why Join AIE?

• Develop a better understanding of your interests and skills.
• Learn how to conduct successful job searches and create an outstanding resume.
• Gain practical experience in your field of study.
• Benefit from the cultural insights that come from an overseas work experience
• Become a highly valuable candidate for the global marketplace
• Earn a Certificate of Completion that documents the skills you have learned

Program Eligibility

All students who enroll in the AIE are first required to select a program of study. Programs of study include Advanced English Program, College Bridge, College Transfer, Professional & Technical Programs, Short-Term Certificate or High School Completion. Students enrolled in the Intensive English Program are not eligible for AIE. The program you enroll in, as well as the length of time you study in that program, will determine the internship opportunities available to you (see the section below on Internship Opportunities).

Program Duration

The AIE allows you to complete a work experience and earn an Internship Certificate in as little as three months. The AIE can also be of a longer duration, up to two years in the case of most degree programs. Students in programs longer than 9 months may be eligible to get special permission to complete paid internships off campus.

Components of the Program

While completing the requirements for your selected program of study, you will also attend workshops and take courses critical to preparing you to enter the global work force. In addition, you will successfully complete an internship or service learning experience in a US organization or company.

Areas covered in the Internship Certificate include:

• American work environment
• Preparing resumes
• Interviewing
• Communication in the workplace
• Evaluating personal skills and interests
• Researching prospective careers and employment.

Click here to see a complete checklist of requirements for AIE. After completing all AIE requirements, you will be awarded an Internship Certificate of Completion, documenting the courses you completed, workshops you attended, and skills you developed.

Internship Opportunities

One of the most important AIE requirements is completion of an internship. An internship is special, educational work experience that relates to a student's field of study. Internships can be paid or unpaid, but, most importantly, they give an opportunity for a student to apply academic knowledge in a practical way.

Paid, off-campus internships may be available to students in programs 9-months or longer.

Where are internships available?

Here are just some of the many fields in which Seattle Central students have found full or part-time internships:

On-Campus Resources

Seattle Central's Office of Cooperative Education and Career Placement offers students a variety of resources, including current job postings, a database of hundreds of paid and unpaid internship opportunities, staff members ready to offer personal assistance, and group workshops designed to help you get the internship you want.

Our location in the heart of downtown Seattle means that we are a natural place for local businesses to advertise their many internship opportunities. And every year, nearly 600 Seattle Central students participate in the Cooperative Educations Internship program, many of whom successfully find internships by using our on-campus resources.

Admission Requirements

New students who want to join the Internship Certificate should apply for their chosen program of study at Seattle Central following regular admissions requirements.

Sample Schedules

Click here to see some examples of how you can earn the American Internship Experience while completing the study program of your choice.

A STUDENT'S EXPERIENCE

"The reason I came to the U.S. is that I wanted to intern to learn business communication skills, office skills, and the U.S. financial system. I worked at Rigel Capital Management Inc., which is a financial company that seeks to achieve the investment objectives of private and institutional clients. My internship was wonderful. I learned many things: not only skills but also U.S. culture and ways of thinking. My communication skills improved through my internship because I had to listen to my co-workers and talk about my project carefully and clearly. My office skills also improved since i had to input computer data, and I had the chance to read financial information and to attend a mutual fund meeting. Because of the internship, I feel the necessity to study more about business in the U.S., and I am going to extend my period of study here. I believe my internship experience will be helpful for me in the future."

-Satoko

"We couldn't have been happier with our experience with the American Internship Experience. It filled a vital need of ours while giving experience to an intelligent, deserving student."

Lynn Rowley, Rigel Capital Management, Inc.