Paid Internships

Community Internship Program 

The Cal Poly Humboldt School of Business Community Internship Program started in 2012 with generous funding provided by the Patricia D. and William B. Smullin Foundation. 

Our goals of the Community Internship Program are to add value to local businesses or organizations through the contributions of qualified and dedicated interns, to improve the professional preparedness of our students, and to improve our local workforce. Interns are mentored by the Internship Coordinator and the organization’s intern site supervisor. We ensure that our interns will have an enriching work experience while earning class credit and getting paid $3,000 for the semester. Our program survives off of the generosity of our business internship sites and our donors. It is helpful, but not required, if the internship site can pay all or some of the stipend since it will help ensure the longevity of this beneficial experience for our students and our local employers. 

Our Community Internship Program currently runs every spring semester with the recruiting of students and sites happening during the fall semester. 

Student Intern Details

• Eligibility: Undergraduate business majors (any concentration), 3.0+ GPA, faculty recommendation required, seniors graduating in the same year as the internship, and have classes remaining for graduation in spring semester. These classes can be GE, major, or minor classes. 
• Skills Needed: Professionalism, interpersonal skills, and an eagerness to learn 
• Class Credit: 4 academic units (BA 482)
• Hours: 160 hours at the internship site 
• Positions: 12 available
• Application: Submit your application here.
• Application Deadline: Monday, September 28 2026 at 11:59 PM

For Interested Internship Sites 

If you are interested in having an intern for Spring 2027, please submit your application here by Friday, October 16, 2026 for priority consideration. 

For more information regarding the Community Internship Program, please email Dr. Nancy Vizenor, Internship Coordinator (nancy.vizenor@humboldt.edu) 

VITA Internships

Video about the VITA program

The VITA Internship gives students hands-on experience preparing Federal and State tax returns for community members. Interns work on-site at Cal Poly Humboldt (with possible assignments at additional community sites) and must complete IRS Advanced Certification. Training includes ethics, professional conduct, and applied accounting skills.

Interns will interview clients, input information into professional tax software, research and apply current tax law, and perform Quality Review checks on returns. Strong communication and professionalism are essential, as interns explain tax law to clients and handle confidential information. By the end of the internship, students will be proficient in preparing individual tax returns of varying complexity while providing a valuable service to the community.

Position Details

• Type: Internship (Spring term only)
• Credits: 4 academic credits (must enroll in BA 482)
• Hours: 4 per week
• Stipend-Funded Positions: 12 available (Work Study not accepted)
• Eligibility: Undergraduate Business majors (Accounting concentration), 3.0 GPA; faculty recommendation required; tax accounting background preferred (not required); IRS Advanced Certification required after training (provided in class)
• Skills Needed: Professionalism, interpersonal skills, computer proficiency, ability to research and maintain ethical standards
• Work Site: School of Business and possible community VITA sites
• Application: Submit your application to https://forms.gle/UBcAtwEhFvkdJE7f9

For more information regarding the VITA please email Dr. Josh Zender, CPA (josh.zender@humboldt.edu)