Program Information : Internship

Students who decide to take ISCOR 495 must meet with the professor assigned to supervise the course during a given semester. This professor will provide all of the information and guidance a student will need to secure an internship and complete the internship course.

Students who participate in the ISCOR internship program are expected to write a substantive research paper pertaining to their course of study as it applies to their internship. For example, a student working with refugees from the Sudan may write a paper on the role of Non-Governmental Organizations in assisting the "Lost Boys" of the Sudan, while a student working for a member of Congress may write a paper providing an analysis of a major piece of legislation addressing terrorism or Homeland Security.

It should also be noted that students work only for organizations that give them substantial responsibilities (no photocopying and picking up the CEO's dry-cleaning here!). The ISCOR Program has identified, and continues to identify, agencies that give our students a first rate learning experience.

For example, a number of our students intern with the San Diego Chapter of the International Rescue Committee where they help refugees from countries like the Sudan, Iraq, Guatemala and Afghanistan adapt to American society. Other students work for the San Diego Mediation Center where they assist mediators in providing mediation services for low-income immigrants. We have had students work for organizations like Parliament in London, the United Nations in New York City, the U.S. State Department in Rome, the United State's House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, a major U.S. law firm's branch office in Mexico, a border trade group based in San Diego and Tijuana, the Human Rights Commission in Guadalajara, an attorney specializing in maritime and fisheries law, the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot, the San Diego affiliate of NBC news, the San Diego office of the U.S. Marshall, a San Diego County Supervisor, the San Diego Mayor's Office, the City of San Diego's Office of Protocol, and the World Trade Center of San Diego.

Once again, students should contact the professor responsible for ISCOR 497 during a given semester (see the Schedule of Classes) to obtain specific advising and information about ISCOR internships. Additionally, SDSU's Career Services office provides information on obtaining internships.

See ISCOR Advisor Dr. Greb (iscor@mail.sdsu.edu) for general thesis information.