The Basics (FAQ's)

What is an internship?

An internship is a position within a company where you are constantly learning and training in your field of study, while under a mentor. You should demonstrate a clear progression during your internship; by curating the skills you already have, learning new skills and gaining exposure to lots of different areas of the department or business. Your supervisor will of course guide you, but an internship is for the self-starter, who will work hard and make the most of every opportunity. Your internship cannot be filling a labour need (like a regular job would) or take a job away from an American worker.

Who secures my internship?

It is the graduates (hey, that’s you!) sole responsibility to secure their own position. We recommend that you do as much research as possible online prior to departure to ensure you are travelling to an area where there are Internships available in your field of study.

Although USIT can offer some advice, we are not responsible for securing your position. This is your chance to take your career in the direction you have always dreamed of. 

Can I have more than one internship?

You can have multiple internships in your field of study and move around different states – they just can’t overlap! For example, you have secured a 5-month Marketing internship with your Business degree in New York – might be time for a change – how about another 6-month Finance internship in San Francisco? You have 90 days to secure your first internship and 30 days after your first internship ends to secure your second. You cannot intern past your DS2019 End date. 

Will my internship be paid?

Your internship can be paid or unpaid – this is negotiated directly between you and your employer. Some unpaid internships sometimes evolve into paid Internships.

My position is unpaid or I am paid less than $1000 per month. How do I show that I will be able to support myself while in the US?

With your initial internship application, you will need to submit an original or certified copy of a bank statement showing access to $2000 multiplied by the number of months you will be in the US or a letter from a guarantor here in Ireland stating that they will support you. If you have a guarantor then the information for the US Sponsor will need to be more detailed, and you may be asked to submit bank statements or pay slips from your guarantor.

Am I allowed to hold a second job during my programme or work part time on the side?

No. The US regulations on this program prohibit holding any other job (e.g. more than 1 at the same time) while you are on this Visa. If you do so you risk losing your Sponsorship and Visa and you may be deported from the US. 

What happens if you don't secure an Internship?

If you do not source an internship within the 90 days, you risk having your sponsorship withdrawn and your visa cancelled. In some cases, an extension can be granted however this is accessed on a case by case basis.