Internships

Whether you are recently out of high school or already have significant work history and training, sharpening your career skills can be part of your educational experience at Greenfield Community College.

GCC is committed to helping you get a great education AND providing the resources you need to prepare for your career. An internship is an opportunity to combine academic learning with professional experience. All matriculated students in good standing may participate in GCC internships. Matriculated students in good standing who have completed 12 credits (with at least six of these credits counting towards their major) may participate in GCC internships that are focused on their major.

Internships are an important part of your career development. They provide workplace experience, networking opportunities, professional references and the satisfaction of a good day’s work. Internships qualify for academic credit, and GCC will make every attempt to see that interns draw a salary for their work, even if the internship site cannot offer pay. Students do not pay for the tuition and fees associated with their internship class; the College waives these costs. Internships may run during fall, summer or spring semesters and typically involve about 5-10 hours of work per week. Internships may be on-site, hybrid,or remote.

GCC does everything we can to make the administrative, academic and financial processes of our internship program easy to navigate!

Mary Brouder
My 12-weeks as an accounting and tax intern have solidified my passion for the field and provided invaluable real-world experience.

— Mary Brouder, Business Student '26

Read Mary's Story
Overview

If you’re interested in an internship, reach out to internships@gcc.mass.edu now! The Internship Coordinator will help you determine your internship goals, assist you in the application process and support your search for a faculty mentor. The earlier you contact the Internship Coordinator the better—internships take a minimum of several weeks to establish.  

Students will design their internship courses in consultation with faculty in their major. You cannot start counting hours toward your internship until you are registered for the course, which will appear in MyGCC. Here are the steps to completing the internship application and registering for your internship.  

While you search for an internship:

  • Find a faculty mentor. The Internship Coordinator will help with this.
  • Meet with and discuss your learning plan with your faculty mentor.
  • Talk with your academic advisor and make sure the internship is appropriate for your academic plan. 
  • Speak with the Internship Coordinator about your financial situation and the salaries/stipends that may be available. 

Once you have secured your internship:

  • Submit the online internship application. The Internship Coordinator will help with this. 
  • If you receive veteran’s benefits, let the Internship Coordinator know. 
  • If you are an international student, you must meet with the SEVIS Coordinator in the Admission Office to arrange for permission to work at an internship site.
  • Check MyGCC to see that you are enrolled in the internship class. 
  • The Internship Coordinator will waive the tuition + fees for the course. 
  • Once you have confirmed your registration in MyGCC, you may begin your internship.

If you have questions about any of the items on this checklist, please ask the Internship Coordinator early in the process.

Internships I & II

Internships I and II carry the course numbers 293 and 294 respectively, and may be completed for anywhere from one to six credits.  However, no more than six credits from 293/294 numbered courses can be used to satisfy requirements for any one degree or certificate.  

An internship might not be accepted for transfer credit at a baccalaureate degree-awarding institution.

293 Internship I (1–6 credits) is a site-based learning experience.  In consultation with an appointed faculty mentor and a site supervisor, students will develop and fulfill a list of learning goals and expectations.  Activities could include site-based research and presentations, field experiences, apprenticeships, performing tasks commensurate with the student’s professional goals, shadowing professionals, etc.  Before the internship begins, the student and faculty mentor will agree upon the credits to be awarded (45 on-site hours per credit).   At the end of the internship, the grade will be determined by the faculty mentor, in consultation with the student and the site personnel, on the basis of the degree to which the student has advanced their understanding in the field of interest.  

294 Internship II (1–6 credits) is a site-based learning experience.  In consultation with an appointed faculty mentor and a site supervisor, students will develop and fulfill a list of learning goals and expectations.  Students will put to practice skills and knowledge gained in previously taken courses and program related experiences, including the successful completion of a 293-level internship course in the same discipline.   Thus, it is expected that the relationship between student and the site is mutually beneficial—students will gain real-life experience as they put theory to practice, and the site will have value added in some significant way.  Before the internship begins, the student and faculty mentor will agree upon the credits to be awarded (45 on-site hours per credit).  At the end of the internship, the grade will be determined by the faculty mentor, in consultation with the student and the site personnel, on the basis of the degree to which the student has advanced their understanding in the field of interest.  

To begin the process to sign up for an internship, see the Internship Coordinator, your academic advisor and the faculty mentor with whom you will work. The faculty mentor will confer with the department’s chair/coordinator or his/her designee to confirm the appropriateness of the placement.

Eligibility
  1. Student must have successfully completed at least 12 credits of study (six of which are in their major) by the time the internship begins
  2. Student must be in good academic standing
    1. Student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher
    2. Student must have a term GPA of 2.00 or higher at the end of the term in which they apply for the internship
  3. Student must be in good disciplinary standing
  4. Student must not have any holds on their record
  5. Student may only receive a GCC-funded salary for 3 internship credits (135 hours of work). Note that GCC funds are subject to availability and are not guaranteed 
  6. Student must demonstrate professionalism during the placement process
    1. Responsive to all communication
    2. Articulate their motivation(s) behind taking on an internship
    3. Determine the internship’s appropriateness within their academic plan
    4. Determine the internship’s appropriateness in relation to their non-GCC responsibilities (ex: family, part-time work, etc.)
    5. Show initiative in securing the faculty mentor
    6. Show initiative in securing the internship

Students who do not meet one or more of these criteria are encouraged to speak with the Internship Coordinator. Exceptions to these criteria are sometimes appropriate, depending on individual circumstances.

Apply for an Internship