Job & Internship Support
Internships and jobs provide students with practical experience to complement their academic studies. Through partnerships with employers and platforms such as Handshake, students can explore career options, gain workplace skills and prepare for long-term professional growth.
Job Hunting With Handshake
De Anza De Anza partners with Handshake, an online career platform designed to help students find jobs and internships, connect
with employers, and explore career paths. Through Handshake, student may build a profile,
upload your resume, apply for opportunities, discover career events, and receive personalized
job recommendations based on their interests.
Student Instructions
Log in to Handshake through MyPortal (look for the Handshake card) or through the De Anza Handshake website to view available jobs and internships.- When you log in for the first time, you will need to set up your account and profile.
- If you are given the option, click on "Set up Single Sign On"
- Enter the email address that you provided for your De Anza College student records. (It does not have to be an @student.deanza.edu email account).
- Once your account is confirmed, you can log in to Handshake using your MyPortal student ID and password.
Internships
Internships provide structured learning experiences in professional settings, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge while developing career-ready skills. These opportunities may be paid or unpaid, on campus or off campus, and can include externships with industry partners. A meaningful internship should provide high-impact learning, clearly defined duties, transferable skills, supervision by experienced professionals, and alignment with academic and professional goals.
Paid Internships
Paid internships are typically offered by for-profit employers and compensate students at or above the minimum wage unless specific conditions for unpaid internships apply. These experiences provide hands-on training, professional skill development, and often create a pathway to future employment. Paid internships must ensure educational value and comply with wage regulations.
Unpaid Internships
Unpaid internships are commonly found in nonprofit organizations or government agencies. Interns gain valuable experience, mentorships and skill development while participating in work that complements their academic program. Unpaid internships must follow U.S. Labor Department guidelines, including clear understanding of no compensation, alignment with academic training, limited duration, and tasks that do not replace paid employees.
Externships
Externships are paid, industry-based experiences that are part of a course curriculum, allowing students to work directly with employers – often in technical fields such as IT, healthcare, or engineering. They emphasize the application of classroom knowledge in real-world settings, provide professional networking opportunities, and offer insight into industry practices and workplace expectations.
Information for De Anza Alumn
After graduation, De Anza College alumni continue to have access to Handshake, where they can search and apply for jobs, upload resumes, set job alerts, and follow employers. Graduates are also encouraged to explore additional job-search assistance through community workforce partners.
Alumni seeking expanded, one-on-one support from the Career Center are encouraged to enroll in at least one course to regain active student status and access a broader range of services.
Community Workforce & Employment Partners
- NovaWorks: Career coaching, resume support, and job placement assistance, particularly in professional and technical fields.
- Work2Future: Workforce development programs serving Santa Clara County, including job training, paid workforce programs, and career placement support.