GSS Internship Program Overview

Department of Global & Sociocultural Studies

School of International and Public Affairs

SIPA Building, Third Floor

Tel. 305.348.2247

The GSS internship program is designed to provide career-related experience for the department’s majors. Interns explore career options while obtaining hands-on experience. They thereby develop applied social-research skills and build professional networks that enhance not only employability but also qualifications for admission into graduate and professional school. Please contact the department’s Director of Undergraduate Programs for further information.

  • Find out about careers linked to GSS majors: “After GSS: A World of Career Options” (available on the web at GSS > Undergraduate Programs > Resources:
  • Internships can be unpaid or paid; for semester credits or not; and located in South Florida or elsewhere in the U.S. and abroad.
  • All credit-earning internships obtained through SYA 3949 earn 3 credits per semester. Up to 6 internship credits, spread over any two semesters, can be applied to a GSS major.

Internship Work Hours per Week Requirement: Fall, Spring, or Summer C: 10-12 internship work hours per week=3 credits. (Note: If Summer C’s internship work hours are carried out exclusively in either Summer A or Summer B, 20-24 internship work hours per week=3 credits.)

  • In order to earn internship semester credits, a student must be a declared GSS major and enroll in SYP 3949 after fulfilling the prerequisites described later in this document.
  • A student who does not seek to earn semester credits for an internship does not need to fulfill any of the prerequisites or requirements described below.
  • Students who don’t seek semester credits, however, are encouraged to meet with the GSS Internship Director for advising about how to identify appropriate internship options; how to apply for internships; and how to obtain meaningful internship experience.
  • Such students may choose to apply for internships through GSS if the student has declared a GSS major; has taken or is currently taking SYA 3300 (Research Methods); and has earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 both within and outside the major.

GSS Internship Opportunities

GSS internship opportunities focus on three clusters, together with a category of miscellaneous opportunities:

RISEP (Research Institute in Social and Economic Policy, FIU’s Center for Labor Research and Studies): These are research internships concerning Florida labor/community issues of social justice such as worker rights, immigrant workers, wage theft, housing, and health care. Depending on the specific project, interns will focus on aspects of research projects such as statistical data collection, coding/preparation, entry, processing, and description/analysis, as well as the writing of research reports (

Human Services Coalition/Catalyst Miami: GSS collaborates with FIU’s Center for Labor Research and Studies to promote internships with Miami’s Human Services Coalition/Catalyst Miami (HSC/CM). "The nonprofit Human Services Coalition identifies and launches innovative strategies to help people and communities thrive. HSC/CM works through a network of partner organizations, linking people with financial education, health care information, public benefits and educational and economic opportunities" (

FIU’s Office of University Sustainability: FIU’s Office of University Sustainability ( seeks “To provide professional development, educational, and training opportunities in sustainability to FIU students” and “To provide student involvement and support for sustainability efforts at FIU.” The program sponsors internships in these areas:

  • Campus Ecosystems: FIU Nature Preserve, Hennington Island Preserve, BBC mangrove restoration, and campus grounds/landscaping.
  • Recycling & Solid Waste: projects such as planning America Recycles Day, recycling at athletic events, analyzing the waste audit, analyze bin placement, the Terracycle project, and the recycled book drive.
  • Energy-Use Assessment: research and report for projects such as the AASHE STARS and Green Report Card assessments.
  • Greenhouse Gas Inventory: maintain the greenhouse gas inventory, conduct surveys to collect data for the inventory, and research projects to reduce FIU’s carbon footprint.
  • Transportation: promote the GreenRide Carpool program, develop an FIU Bike Program, manage transportation surveys, research transportation demand/management solutions, and develop the One Less Car Challenge.
  • Sustainable Dining: promote the FIU Farmer’s Market and the FIU Organic Garden; work with Aramak to educate the FIU community about more sustainable food choices and to promote such choices.
  • Outreach: work with other programs such as the FIU Sustainability Committee, SGA, FIU Athletics, etc.

Miscellaneous internships: such as identified and obtained by students through departmental faculty advising and contacts; FIU’s Career Services/Internship Office Graham Center); or other channels.

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GSS Internship Prerequisites

To enroll in SYA 3949 and thereby earn internship credits, a student must have fulfilled the following academic prerequisites:

  • Declared a GSS-offered major
  • Earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 both in the major and overall (or otherwise obtain permission to enroll from the GSS Internship Director)
  • Completed, or currently be taking, SYA 3300 (Research Methods)

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Required Documents to Enroll in SYA 3949 *

  • Internship Forms: describes the required steps and provides the required forms, from start to finish
  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • SYA 3949 syllabus

* Available in the following locations:

  • Department of Global & Sociocultural Studies (undergraduate advising and resources areas)
  • GSS web site> Undergraduate Programs > Resources:

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SYA 3949 Course Requirements

  • See SYA 3949 Syllabus *

* Available in the following locations:

  • Department of Global & Sociocultural Studies (undergraduate advising and resources areas)
  • GSS web site> Undergraduate Programs > Resources:

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