Student at sitting at a desk with others slightly out of frame.

College of Engineering StepUp & StartUp Internship Program

About the Program

The StepUp & StartUp Internship Program (SUSU IP) is an internship program designed to support our College of Engineering and Lee Business Students and Nevada’s local technology industry. The College of Engineering will reimburse employers for students who register and obtain internships in the approved opportunities.

Contact

For questions or more information about the program, email Alejandro Chacon at alejandro.chacon@unlv.edu.

Information for Students

Benefits of Participating in the Program

  • All internship opportunities pay $20.00 an hour.
  • Gain experience in your field.
  • Build your professional network.
  • You will only be competing with other College of Engineering or Lee Business School students for internships.
  • The College of Engineering internship coordinator will provide support throughout your internship.

Eligibility

  • Open to all College of Engineering and Lee Business School majors and minors.
  • Open to juniors, seniors, master's and Ph.D. students.
  • Must be able to intern for 20 hours a week during fall and spring semesters and 20-40 hours a week for summer semesters.
  • Note for F-1 International students:
    • F-1 international students may not begin any employment/training position before receiving Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) authorization from UNLV International Student and Scholar Compliance (ISSC) on an updated Form I-20 stating a period of CPT authorization located on page 2 of the updated Form I-20. 
    • F-1 international students must first complete the CPT Workshop & Quiz in the OISS Portal. Once the student has received a job offer, they must complete a CPT Request in the OISS Portal.

How to Register

  1. Start the registration process now by completing the student registration form.
  2. The College of Engineering internship coordinator will contact you within two business days, with more information.
  3. The internship coordinator will work with you to enhance your current resume and interviewing skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

UNLV will enroll students and employers in the program. We may also provide recommendations to employers based on the information students provide. However, you will apply to the internship opportunities you like and interview with the employer.

UNLV will enroll students and employers in the program. We may also provide recommendations to employers based on the information students provide. However, you will apply for the internship opportunities you like, and you will interview with the employer.

Information for Employers

UNLV College of Engineering StepUp & StartUp Internship Program (SUSU IP) is designed to support local startups and small businesses that want to provide internship opportunities to talented and skilled UNLV College of Engineering students.

Benefits of Being a Participating Employer

  • The College of Engineering provides reimbursement for hours paid by the employer.
  • Close the skill gap and foster leadership skills.
  • Find future employees while supporting your workforce.
  • You will be recruiting from one of the most diverse universities in the nation.
  • The College of Engineering internship coordinator will support you through your internship experience with your students.

Company Eligibility

  • Must be a company that can provide a meaningful internship to a UNLV sophomore, junior, senior, or master's student that’s currently registered in UNLV’s College of Engineering or the Lee Business School.
  • The internship opportunity must be approved by the College of Engineering internship coordinator.
  • Must be a business located in Las Vegas and should be a startup, small business, or non-profit.
  • Meet with the College of Engineering internship coordinator for a consultation meeting. The coordinator will contact you within 24 to 48 hours of registering to schedule a time for consultation.
  • The start-up, small business, or non-profit must be able to pay the student $20.00 an hour and be financially secure to wait for monthly reimbursement.

Note: Please check with the StepUP & StartUP coordinator before the interview to see if you are eligible for the StepUp & StartUP Program.

How to Register

Register for the program through the employer registration form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Register at any time you have decided that an internship program is right for your startup. Please note the following:

  • Since a stipend is provided for this internship program, it is not bound by semester guidelines. However, UNLV tries to stay as close as possible to our semester start and end dates.
  • Summer internships are 12 weeks long.
  • Fall and spring internships are 15 weeks long.

No, UNLV will enroll students and employers in the program. We will also provide recommendations to employers based on the information students provide. However, you interview and select those students who are also interested in your internship opportunity.

  • Provide a safe learning environment for the interns.
  • Provide all materials necessary to be successful as an intern at your company.
  • Pay the student $20.00 an hour and be financially secure to wait for a monthly reimbursement.
  • Sign up on Handshake (platform for posting internship opportunities) and Supplier Registration (allows the university to pay the internship site).
  • Verify student hours in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Provide feedback throughout the internship process.
  • F-1 international students may not work for an employer without CPT authorization, provided for a specific period of time and located on page 2 of an updated Form I-20.

Sometimes conflicts arise. In that case, the College of Engineering internship coordinator will mediate between the employer and the intern and can counsel both on ways to move forward.

Resources

To receive copies of time sheets and internship worksheets, email alejandro.chacon@unlv.edu.