The Small Business Internship Program at Del Mar College is designed to give students valuable, real-world work experience while they are still completing their education. The program connects students with small businesses in Nueces County, allowing them to apply what they have learned in the classroom to actual job settings.
Unlike many internships, the SBIP is a paid internship opportunity for students. Wages begin at $14.50 an hour, and students can work up to 19 hours per week. This pay is partially funded by both the employer and the college, making it financially accessible for businesses while ensuring students are compensated for their work.
In addition to earning money, students earn hands-on job experience in their field of study. This is valuable because many students graduate without relevant work experience in their choice of careers. Through SBIP, student interns are placed in positions related to their major, helping them build practical skills and better understand their future careers.
Students have the opportunity to build a strong resume before graduating. Having internship experience shows employers that a student has workplace skills, can handle responsibility and experience in a professional environment. Along with this, students can earn letters of recommendation which are extremely beneficial when applying for jobs after college.
Many student interns who perform well in their internships create a pathway to full-time employment with their business sites after graduation.
Students interested in applying to the Small Business Internship Program must complete a student intake form on the SBIP website page at delmar.edu/sbip. After submitting the form, the program will review the student’s eligibility.
Students are also encouraged to create a profile on college job platform Handshake and apply to internship positions through the platform to increase their chances of being selected and matched to a business site. Students will go through a typical interview process and if selected, they will begin working up to 19 hours a week during their internship semester, giving them a leg up for the job market after graduation.
