Student Affairs

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PARENT TESTIMONIAL
“Our son gained real work experience
with the Cooperative Education (Co-op)
Program, working at an international
chemical company for three semester
rotations. The experience presented him
with the opportunity to understand what
a chemical engineer really does prior to
graduating. He enjoyed alternating from
a semester of classroom studies to a
semester of on-the-job learning.”
Sharon Ney
Loveland, Ohio
On-Campus Internships
The University Professional Internship and Co-op (UPIC) Program offers students paid,
on-campus professional learning experiences. Students have the opportunity to work with
Clemson faculty and staff as well as receive an internship notation on their transcript.
Enrollment in the INT course is required for this program. In order to be eligible for the
program, a student must have completed at least one full semester at Clemson University and
be an enrolled, matriculating undergraduate student in good standing. Student applications
for future internships are typically listed in ClemsonJobLink halfway through the semester
prior to the experience.
Departments andMajor Requirements
Internships typically involve working with a professional mentor on a structured project
relating to a student’s major or career interests. Credit-bearing internship courses may
be available through a student’s academic college or department. Some majors may
also require students to complete an internship as part of the curriculum. Further
inquiries about departmental internship requirements should be directed to the specific
department. To learn more about the CCPD, visit
Core Competencies
Employers and graduate and professional schools want students to demonstrate the
knowledge, skills and attitude (competency) necessary for success in their respective fields.
Students need to polish skills they have, develop skills they don’t have and apply them in a
variety of settings. Students should continue to take advantage of the countless opportunities
Clemson offers and visit the CCPD to learn how to articulate the skills they have acquired.
For more information about these competencies, visit
Career Fairs
Career Fairs are a great way for students to professionally network as they engage in
their job search process. The Michelin Career Center, part of the Center for Career and
Professional Development, coordinates a variety of career fairs every semester. There is a
larger fair each semester for all majors and levels in school. In addition, the CCPD works with
other departments on campus for more industry-focused fairs. All of these fairs give the
opportunity, based on the employer’s selection and process, for students to interview after
the event or later in the semester. Make sure your student attends all of the pre-fair events
where employers assist us in preparing students to shine. Visit the CCPD website for more
information:
Mock Interviews
Mock interviews are a service included in career counseling appointments at the CCPD. Prior
to the appointment, students will submit their resume to be reviewed by a career counselor.
During the mock interview, a career counselor will ask general interview and industry-specific
questions. Through this experience, students get professional experience in answering the
questions while gaining feedback and guidance on answering different types of questions.
Students should take advantage of this resource no matter what industry they are entering.
Graduate School Options
Students might be considering professional or graduate schools. The CCPD suggests some
guiding reflections for your student:
• What are the major reasons to attend graduate school?
• Do they have a clear idea of the program or specialized area to pursue?
• Can they start a career within their field with only a bachelor’s degree?
• Do they want to spend more time in school?
These questions are valid because committing time and money to another degree is a big