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. Find out more about current and past TBI interns by clicking here.

Student Eligibility

TBI accepts applications for internships only from USD undergraduate students who have less than 6 credit units of internship experience. 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 3 units of academic credit each semester, and up to 6 units of academic credit total. 40 hours of work is required for each unit of academic credit. Three academic credits correspond to approximately 9 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 2 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, and gathering data when necessary etc.
• Training – Intern(s) will attend at least two Instructional Design and Training sessions (http://www.sandiego.edu/tutorials/): Excel, Access, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, SPSS etc.
• Internship Meetings – Interns will attend bi-monthly internship meetings to review the status and progress of their internship.
• Book Summary and Discussion – Intern(s) will read a book on Mexico or the US-Mexican border published within the last year, write a 500 word summary of the book and key points, and discuss the book with staff before posting the review to the organizational blog(s).
• 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, with at least 1 blog posting per weekday.
• Legacy Project – Interns present a creative project that embodies the totality of knowledge gained during the course of the internship (eg paper, photo montage, poster, video, slideshow, etc.).

Application Process

To apply for a TBI internship, please submit an application form prior by the deadline dates indicated below. Students may also contact TBI directly to ask questions or get more information about the internship program.

Application Deadlines and Notification Dates

Fall 2012 Internship Application Deadline: May 11, 2012