Service & Internship Fair: Information for Participating Organizations

💰 Why aren't lunch and parking permits provided?

We’d love to provide lunch and parking permits, but our current budget doesn’t allow for it. That said, there is no fee to participate in ICCE’s Service & Internship Fair. ICCE covers the cost of tables, chairs, and other event expenses and does not pass these costs on to participating organizations. Lunch options are available in the Student Center.

🚶 Why do students come in waves during the Fair?

The Fair is intentionally scheduled during peak lunchtime hours when student foot traffic is highest. You’ll notice a steady flow, with larger waves of students passing through as classes let out.

💸 Many students are asking about paid positions—is that expected?

Yes. Many students are interested in paid internships and employment opportunities, and we encourage organizations that offer paid positions to share those opportunities with students. Students also attend the Fair to explore unpaid internships, volunteer opportunities, service-learning placements, and other ways to gain professional experience.

If a student is looking for opportunities beyond those your organization offers, feel free to direct them to the ICCE tent. We can help connect them with additional campus resources and opportunities.

🧭 How is ICCE different from Career Services & Leadership Development (CLD)?

Both ICCE and Career Services & Leadership Development (CLD) help students explore careers, build professional and leadership skills, connect with organizations, and gain experience. Our roles and services differ in how we support those experiences.

ICCE focuses on community-engaged and experiential learning. We support academic internships and service-learning placements across SF State, with the exception of clinical placements and student teaching. ICCE works with nonprofit organizations, government and public agencies, businesses, and other community and industry partners to provide students with internships, service-learning placements, volunteer opportunities, and other experiential learning experiences. We also support faculty and community partners in developing meaningful, educationally grounded experiences.

CLD provides career development and employment services, including career exploration, résumé and cover letter support, interview preparation, job search resources, and connections to employment and internship opportunities. CLD also manages Handshake, SF State’s career and job platform.

🧭 Which fair should I attend?

Both!

ICCE’s Service & Internship Fair brings together nonprofit organizations, government and public agencies, businesses, and other community and industry partners offering internships, service-learning placements, volunteer opportunities, and other professional experiences. Participating organizations are approved SFSU partners with active Learning Site Placement Agreements (LPSAs). ICCE does not charge organizations a registration fee to participate in the Fair.

CLD’s career and employment fairs provide additional opportunities to connect with employers recruiting for part-time jobs, internships, and career opportunities across a range of industries. CLD charges participating employers a registration fee for its career and part-time job fairs.

Students are encouraged to attend both ICCE and CLD fairs. Together, these fairs provide a range of opportunities to explore careers, connect academic interests with professional experiences, build your network, and develop career-ready skills.

🧠 How is community service learning (CSL) different from community service?

Community service can be completed independently and does not need to be connected to an academic course.

Community service learning (CSL) is connected to a credit-bearing academic course and integrates community engagement with academic learning. CSL includes critical reflection, structured learning objectives, and an emphasis on mutual benefit for students and community partners.

CSL courses typically require 20+ hours of community engagement per semester. Internships, which may or may not be credit-bearing, often require more hours and place greater emphasis on professional and career development.

📝 Do students have to be enrolled in a course to work with my agency?

No. Students do not need to be enrolled in a course to work, intern, or volunteer with your organization. However, students must meet the requirements of an applicable academic course to receive academic credit for their experience.

📚 How do students receive credit for their hours?

Academic credit comes from the academic course in which the student is enrolled. Students must meet the requirements established by the course, instructor, and academic program.

CSL courses typically include 20+ hours of community engagement per semester. Internship hour requirements vary by course and academic program and may be substantially higher.

Some academic programs also require internships or other field experiences as part of their degree requirements.

📣 How can I promote my organization beyond the Fair?

Post or update your opportunities in ULink at the start of each semester. January and August are ideal times to make sure your opportunities are current.

Include detailed information about the position, such as the title, responsibilities, schedule or time commitment, desired qualifications, learning opportunities, and whether the position is paid or unpaid.

Keep your organization and contact information current in ULink.

You can also send ICCE a PDF flyer with your current opportunities. We can share opportunities with relevant faculty and academic departments, post materials in our office, and feature opportunities through ICCE communication and social media channels.