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A Guide on Key Internship Resources for Undocumented Students

Written by Paula Mora on August 14, 2020
3 min read

A Guide on Key Internship Resources for Undocumented Students

By Paula Mora Arias

Over 650,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children are currently enrolled in DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). Through DACA, thousands of eligible Dreamers are allowed to study, receive work permits and protection from deportation for renewable two-year periods. This past June, the future of Dreamers was protected in the Supreme Court, which ruled there is no proper legal justification for ending DACA. 

Undocumented students often face many financial and legal struggles that hinder their ability to access career-building opportunities. At Symba, our core mission is removing barriers of entry to the workforce. We believe everyone, regardless of physical location or national origin should have equal access to internship experiences, the avenue to develop and ultimately contribute to the success of our community as a whole. That is why we have compiled a list of resources for undocumented students seeking internship opportunities, with the aim to help them navigate their options as they embark on a journey to a brighter future.

1. Internship resources for undocumented students 

Being an undocumented student often means having limited internship opportunities; however, there are a number of internship and fellowship programs opening their doors to DACA-eligible and non-DACA students. Here’s where to begin:

2. Resources for disclosing immigration status with potential employers and recruiters 

It can be challenging for undocumented students to know when, how or if to disclose their immigration status. The correct way to approach this varies with every opportunity and organization; however, the best place to start is by leveraging relevant resources that can help educate and guide the discussion:

3. Resources for financing unpaid internships

Although at Symba we believe every internship should be paid, we are aware that many students resort to unpaid opportunities to be able to gain professional experience. Here are some options for undocumented students looking to finance unpaid internships:  

Our team at Symba will continue to create awareness and support the shift towards a more inclusive future of work. We hope these resources are a helpful starting point in your journey as an intern, regardless of your immigration status. We invite you to sign-up for our newsletter at symba.io for more internship resources and remote internship opportunities.

The future of work requires redefined roles, restructured workplaces, and rapid learning. COVID-19 will be the catalyst for business transformation as organizations have no choice but to respond to its challenges. By demonstrating your digital literacy skills, you are gearing up for the workplace of tomorrow.

Remote internships allow you the freedom to work on your own and build transferable skills for your next roles, like communication, time management and digital literacy. We hope you make the most of your remote internship, and gain the skills that will position you for a successful career! Stay tuned for more remote internship articles.

By Paula Mora Arias

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Paula Mora

Paula is the Head of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Symba. Prior to joining Symba, Paula worked at the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. She is passionate about professional development for at-risk-youth, immigrants, and people of color.

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