Humanities Scholars Work Experience

• Gain hands-on work experience, develop transferrable skills and build your resume.
• Discover the connection between work and courses in humanities related fields.
• Experience how work can be engaging, satisfying and transformational.
• Earn $20 per hour (tax-free).
• Engage with a faculty mentor.
• Join a community of student interns.

Applicants are selected based on your commitment to the Humanities.  

Once admitted, we ask you commit to the following:

• Complete 250 internship hours over the course of two (possibly three) quarters.
• Enroll in a two-unit, on-campus companion course during your first quarter;
• All subsequent courses will be onlineWork with a faculty mentor to get support in achieving your goals.
• Participate in a cohort experience.

Once accepted, students will receive our Internship Handbook, which lists the descriptions of all available internships.  Students will select their top three choices, and we will strive to partner students with one of these sites.  We currently work with over 50 non-profit partner organizations throughout the south bay and beyond.

• Internships are either in-person or hybrid.
• Payment is $20 per hour (tax free).
• Expected workload is 10-15 hours per week.
• Two quarter minimum commitment.
• Course requirements: a two-unit, on-campus companion course for Spring quarter, and a one-unit online course for Fall quarter (no internship during Summer quarter)

View an example of our Internship Guidebook. Note that this Handbook is for illustration purposes only.

Please note: current internship availability may differ.

Academic fields in academia are broadly categorized into humanities, social sciences & natural/applied sciences. The Humanities Scholars Work Experience (HSWE) provides paid internships for students who have shown a commitment to the study of humanities.  

The Humanities typically encompass departments focused on the investigation of human cultural production and thought. At Foothill College the departments below fall into this category. 

• Anthropology
• Art
• Art History
• English
• Ethnic Studies
• Graphic and Interactive Design
• History
• Humanities

• Journalism
• Media Studies
• Music
• Music Technology
• Philosophy
• Photography
• Theater Arts
• Women’s Studies

In order to be eligible for the Humanities Scholars Work Experience, you must:

• Be a full-time student (taking 12 units or more unless you are in your last quarter at Foothill College).
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Demonstrate an interest in the areas of Arts and/or Humanities by meeting one of the following criteria:
  • Be in the process of earning a major or certificate in one of the Humanities-related departments listed below Have completed or plan to complete 12 or more units in the Humanities-related departments listed below (units can be from multiple Humanities-related departments).
  • Have an interest in pursuing a Humanities-related career.
  • Additional Information: F-1 students are not eligible. 

Instructor Recommendation 

You will need to ask for a recommendation from a professor in a humanities-related department. Then, you'll be prompted to submit your professor's name on the application. Once you've submitted your application, your professor will automatically receive the form to provide the recommendation. 

Tips for a Strong Application  

• Write a paragraph or more: demonstrate you are serious about becoming a part of our program.
• Make sure you address all the questions for both response sections. Do not use A.I. generated responses on your application. Make it personal and impassioned!
• Write a paragraph or more: demonstrate you are serious about becoming a part of our program. Make sure you address all the questions for both response sections.
• Do not use A.I. generated responses on your application. Make it personal and impassioned!

View Application