Graduate students often enhance their education through internships, working with companies and organizations beyond Auburn University. For domestic students, the summer semester is the most convenient time to pursue an internship. Internships are not limited, however, to the summer semester.

International students may also pursue internships, but they must also maintain their immigration status. The Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practial Training (OPT) programs are the most common avenues open to international students. Please visit the International Students & Scholars Services office in Foy Hall (Room 228) for more information.

Echezona "Eche" Ezeodilli shares some of his experience preparing for his summer 2020 internship.

• Obtaining an Offer —I applied to a number of companies using various resources such as Google Jobs as well as National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) job search. I received interview invitations and was eventually given an offer for a summer internship.
• Securing Work Authorization
  1. Being an international student, I had to obtain necessary work authorization for the duration of the internship. I filled the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) application form, which can be downloaded from the Office of International Students and Scholars' website.
  2. The form must be signed by the Major Advisor/Academic advisor. They are to explain how the employment is integral to the student's curriculum.
  3. Students are also to attach an offer letter from employer to the form and submit to intledu@auburn.edu. This usually takes about 2 weeks to process, and signed documents are mailed to the student.
• Maintaining immigration status
  • As an international student, to stay in status for the semester of internship, you must be registered for at least one course unit to stay in status.
  • I registered for one (1) unit of Independent Study (ELEC 7900), which must be approved by my major advisor and the ECE department chair.