Graduate Internship Program

Advisors, family members and faculty often tell students they should network. You may be thinking it is easier said than done and don’t know where to start. Here is some guidance on how to make the most of the opportunity when it comes to meeting with a professional for an informational interview:

• Identify individuals who are in the industry/organization you are interested in. Use tools like Georgia Tech’s LinkedIn alumni page to identify professionals. Do not overlook your personal network as well (family, friends, professors, community members, friends’ parents, etc.) Share with your network what you are considering pursuing to see if you can find leads.
• Be as ready as you would for a formal job interview.The worst thing you can do is to show up unprepared without a list of questions. This is your opportunity to impress and could lead to future opportunities or, at minimum, give you great information that can help you in your career down the road.
• Dress appropriately. Some work environments may be more formal in nature and require business professional attire. Some may require closed-toe shoes (healthcare) and others may be more casual in nature. Even if it is a casual work environment you will be visiting, dress up a little more than the average employee to create a strong first impression.
• Practice introducing yourself. Include your name, major, student involvement, previous experiences and why you are interested in speaking with that person. If applicable, reflect on the types of skills/qualities desired in that industry or field and be sure to include that in your introduction.
• Demonstrate your research by asking more specific questions. Take the time to Google that person and learn more about their organization. You can use the sample questions below, but if you want to stand out to the professional be sure to include more specific questions to demonstrate you have prepared.
  Example:
  I read on your website that you [engage in this type of work, these are your customers, major news item, etc.]. Can you tell me more about that and how it impacts your current position?
• Send a thank you note within 48 hours or less from your meeting. Include something specific about what you enjoyed from the conversation to show you were listening.

• Identify individuals who are in the industry/organization you are interested in. Use tools like Georgia Tech’s LinkedIn alumni page to identify professionals. Do not overlook your personal network as well (family, friends, professors, community members, friends’ parents, etc.) Share with your network what you are considering pursuing to see if you can find leads.
• Be as ready as you would for a formal job interview.The worst thing you can do is to show up unprepared without a list of questions. This is your opportunity to impress and could lead to future opportunities or, at minimum, give you great information that can help you in your career down the road.
• Dress appropriately. Some work environments may be more formal in nature and require business professional attire. Some may require closed-toe shoes (healthcare) and others may be more casual in nature. Even if it is a casual work environment you will be visiting, dress up a little more than the average employee to create a strong first impression.
• Practice introducing yourself. Include your name, major, student involvement, previous experiences and why you are interested in speaking with that person. If applicable, reflect on the types of skills/qualities desired in that industry or field and be sure to include that in your introduction.
• Demonstrate your research by asking more specific questions. Take the time to Google that person and learn more about their organization. You can use the sample questions below, but if you want to stand out to the professional be sure to include more specific questions to demonstrate you have prepared.
  Example:
  I read on your website that you [engage in this type of work, these are your customers, major news item, etc.]. Can you tell me more about that and how it impacts your current position?
• Send a thank you note within 48 hours or less from your meeting. Include something specific about what you enjoyed from the conversation to show you were listening.

To begin your application to participate in the Georgia Tech Graduate Internship Program, please click HERE.

If you choose to take a Georgia Tech course while working, get the permission of your department and internship supervisor before registering. Also, note that the class time must not interfere with your 40-hour work week.

If you plan to take a class at another university while interning, make sure that your supervisor approves your taking the course and that the class time doesn’t interfere with your work schedule. Also, make sure your credit hours transfer to Georgia Tech through the following steps:

• Go to https://oscar.gatech.edu/pls/bprod/wwtraneq.P_TranEq_Ltr and review whether or not the course you wish to take at a particular institution has already been evaluated and approved by Georgia Tech as a transfer equivalency.
• If the course or institution is not listed in OSCAR, see your academic advisor to determine whether or not the credits will transfer.
• Click on the HELP link at https://oscar.gatech.edu/pls/bprod/wwtraneq.P_TranEq_Ltr to view specific Registrar requirements. For example, you cannot transfer credit for a course that you previously took at Georgia Tech. Other rules apply.
• If the institution teaching the course requires a “transient letter” from Georgia Tech, obtain one from the Registrar’s Office.

Once you’ve completed the course, have the transfer institution to send your official transcript to:

Georgia Institute of Technology
Office of the Registrar
Transfer Credit
Atlanta GA , 30332-0315

International students holding F-1 and J-1 visas are eligible to work legally in the United States under Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT), and /or Academic Training.  The Graduate Internship Program at Georgia Tech meets the criteria of both all three.  Students must be in F-1 status for at least two semesters before they are eligible to work off-campus using any of these.

International students participating in the Graduate Internship Program use the CPT work authorization, only, when working with the Career Center. Use of the OPT work authorization must be coordinated through the Office of International Education (OIE). The Career Center also handles Academic Training internships.

OIE staff members assist students with questions regarding maintaining valid F-1 and J-1 status, obtaining social security, and I-20, CPT, and/or OPT process or processing issues.  Career Advsiors are unable to assist, update, or issue CPT, OPT, or I-20 related questions. For more information on OIE or any visa related issues or international student issues, visit their Web site, http://www.oie.gatech.edu.

CPT and OPT Work Authorizations

Click on the links below to view the steps for obtaining CPT or OPT work authorization, which must be done before each work term. Failure to do so will jeopardize the student’s eligibility to continue working in the United States.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT)

NOTE* – Click HERE for information on new APPEAL PROCESS

1.)  Two Consecutive Work Terms

a.) Students may be approved for two consecutive full-time graduate internship semesters. Typical approvals would be for spring – summer or summer – fall work terms.

b.) Students should receive a separate approval for each term and create a separate placement record in CareerBuzz for each term.

2.)  Requests for Three Consecutive Work Terms

a.) Requests for three or more consecutive full-time work semesters must:

i.   Demonstrate a strong academic justification,
ii.  Must be approved by the major school graduate coordinator or school chair,
iii. Must be reviewed by the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Development.
iv. The student must be making satisfactory academic progress while enrolled in internship.

b.) Tuition Requirement for three or more consecutive work terms

i.   Students approved for more than two consecutive graduate internship semesters must register for at least three tuition-based credit hours during the third work term, except in exceptional circumstances.
ii.  The student is responsible for the tuition and fees associated with the registration.

c.)  How to request approval

i.   The student’s graduate coordinator or school chair must submit a written request addressed to addressed to Dr. Jana Stone, Director of Professional Development and Postdoctoral Services, Graduate Education and Faculty Development (VPGEFD).
ii.  The request for a third consecutive full-time graduate internship approval must:

1.)  Demonstrate a strong academic justification,
2.)  Confirm the student is making satisfactory academic progress while enrolled in graduate internship, and
3.)  State the student will register for the 12 audit hour grad internship course and at least three tuition-based credit hours during the third work term. (Note: the student is responsible for the tuition and fees associated with the tuition-based credit hours.)

Email: Dr. Jana Stone at jana.stone@gatech.edu

Subject line: APPEAL REQUEST – Last Name

Body of email should include the following information:

• Name
• Employer Name
• Proposed dates of employment
• Reason for appeal

Please be aware that responses may require 5-7 business days. As we institute the appeal process, we appreciate your patience.

If you are interning in metro Atlanta, you may live in campus housing, if available. Students working outside the area will find that most employers offer some level of housing assistance. Such assistance ranges from providing students with a list of apartments in the area to arranging furnished housing and paying for a portion of the expenses. Your employer may give you the names of other interns working in the same location to help you find housing options and roommates.

If you are working outside the Atlanta area, your advisor will give you a form to take to the campus housing office which will allow you to cancel your housing contract without penalty and to get a refund for your housing deposit. If you plan to intern during a given semester but are not sure you will get a job, register for classes and sign up for housing as a back-up plan. All can be easily reversed if you are hired.

Remember to have your mail forwarded if you move for your internship. You can enter your forwarding address via the Oscar website. Login and go to the Personal Information menu. If you currently have an off-campus address, enter your temporary forwarding address with the United States Postal Service.