Internships

Internships at CIA

Mallory Chavez, center, interned at Taxel Image Group for Barney Taxel, a commercial photographer who specializes in food. Here she is assisting Taxel at a shoot for chef Michael Symon.

Creativity Works Program

Creativity Works is a unique internship program for juniors majoring in the Visual Art and Craft areas. The goal of the program is to provide a critical piece of professional development, as many of these emerging artists’ futures may be characterized by self-employment.

Through the Creativity Works program, students are encouraged to think like entrepreneurs and to develop self-initiated project ideas, including business plans and budgets for materials and technology, that align with their career interests, skills, and identification of long-term professional goals. Learning to develop a business plan, a crucial element of entrepreneurship, will enable participants to articulate their vision for success for the project and for their future.

The Cleveland Institute of Art defines an internship as a work-related learning experience that provides students or recent graduates an opportunity to gain important knowledge and skills in a particular career field. Internships can:

• Provide course-credit or be non-credit-bearing
• Be paid or unpaid
• Be part-time or full-time
• Be during the summer or the academic year

But always incorporate meaningful learning experiences! And they always belong on your resume!

Benefits of an Internship

• Gain valuable work experience
• Have an edge in the job market
• Develop valuable connections
• Decide if this is the right career for you

Finding an Internship

Visit the Career Center for assistance in preparing your resume, cover letter, and interview skills.

• Access College Central for online postings. Download College Central instructions here.
• Use the myCIA Resource Library (myCIA login required) for major-specific websites, online communities, and professional associations
• Use Going Global (myCIA login required)
• And talk with faculty; as working professionals, they have serious connections that can help you manage your career.

Disclaimer

The CIA Career Center lists opportunities which it feels will be of interest to students and alumni. We cannot guarantee the reliability or character of the listing from an employer. We cannot be responsible for potential disputes or contractual difficulties with contacts listed by the office. We strongly advise applicants to research and screen potential employers carefully.

Credit-bearing Internships

Many students can get credit for an internship. But there are exceptions within certain majors, so it is important to check with your department head, the Career Center, or Academic Services prior to the experience. 

Read more about credit bearing internships here.

A Sample of Employers that have Hired CIA Interns 

American Greetings 
Case Western Reserve University 
Cleveland Clinic 
Sherwin Williams 
Steve Madden Shoes
General Motors
University Hospitals
Fisher Price 
Clear Channel 
Hasbro 
Nike 
Reebok 
Little Tikes 
Think Media Studios 
Chrysler 
Penland School of Arts + Crafts
Dell 
Farm Design 
Fitch 
Step 2 
The Smithsonian 
Disney 
Ziba 
Nike 
Rubbermaid 
Lifetime Brands 
Interdesign
Doner Advertising 
Cleveland Museum of Art 
Cleveland Botanical Gardens
Western Reserve Historical Society