Internship Program

Each semester, TBI accepts applications for internships, for which USD students receive academic credit. Getting involved with TBI is an excellent way for students to learn about the issues affecting the border region, and about the organizations and agencies that play a role in shaping border policy outcomes. TBI works closely with local and international government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other academic institutions that may be relevant to the future career interests of students.

View a list of all TBI current and former interns.

Student Eligibility

Students are not required to be fluent Spanish-speakers, but preference is given to students who have stronger Spanish language ability. Applications are especially welcome from students with familiarity of the border and students who have experience managing databases and web-based applications.

Academic Credit

TBI student interns are eligible to receive three units of academic credit each semester, and up to six units of academic credit total. 40 hours of work is required for each unit of academic credit. Three academic credits correspond to approximately nine hours of work per week. However, TBI interns are required to dedicate 15 hours per week in TBI’s office during regular business hours, with no less than two contiguous hours per day in the office.

Duties and Requirements

• Meetings and Events – Intern(s) will promote, prepare, support, attend, and staff at least three programmed TBI events, conferences, and meetings.  Each intern will have to write a summary for at least one event, with the interns coordinating among themselves to avoid duplication. 
• General Office Support – Intern(s) will provide general office support by performing clerical duties, managing the contacts database, preparing correspondences, gathering data when necessary, etc.
• Training – Intern(s) will attend at least one Instructional Design and Training session (http://www.sandiego.edu/tutorials/): Excel, Access, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, SPSS, etc.
• Internship Meetings – Interns will attend internship meetings as scheduled to review the status and progress of their internship.
• Interview – Intern(s) will identify a prominent border or Mexican scholar, activist, or stakeholder to interview.  Interns will coordinate, record, and transcribe the interview, as well as make a presentation on the interview to the staff.
• Blog Update – Intern(s) will update and maintain the Justice in Mexico Project and/or the Trans-Border Blog as needed.
• Final Project – Interns present a creative project that embodies the totality of knowledge gained during the course of the internship (paper, photo montage, poster, video, slideshow, etc.).

Application Process

Information regarding the summer and fall internships will be forthcoming.