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| Finding your internship position |
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Parenthese does not impose a specific training or employer: We will help you and guide you, but you are also completely free to do your own research, consider different offers, negotiate the mission and the compensation directly with the American employers and choose the training that best suits you.
Finding your Internship is not mission impossible! Our experience shows us that participants find their paid internship within 3 to 6 weeks of active search.
Before beginning your search, prepare your resume and cover letter. It also helps to have a good idea of what you are looking for in a training program and have prepared a professional resume and cover letter. This section will provide you with valuable tips on how to write a resume and cover letter specific to the J-1 programs, and how to conduct a targeted search for a relevant training position in the US.
1. Begin by writing your resume (CV) - Explain your educational background in detail. American employers do not know the European educational system. If your school or university has pages of their website in English, put these links on your CV.
2. Cover Letter - Use the following model which is tailored to programs within the J-1 visa categories in the US : Example Cover Letter Internship.
It is essential to mention that you are intending to apply for a J-1 Intern Visa through CIEE and that, as part of this program, CIEE will act as legal sponsor and will provide the legal framework in which this internship program can be undertaken. Moreover, companies may also be interested to learn that your health and travel insurance is included in your CIEE program.
This information should be given to your potential employers during your initial contact with them. Your cover letter should be included in the text of your email and not as an attachment. If you send an email to an employer with two attachments, it will most likely end up in the trash.
3. Click on "Useful links" in the menu on the left. You will find websites categorized by regions of the US and by professional sectors.
4. Use keywords like 'internship,' or 'training program' when you begin your search. You can also contact companies that interest you directly through their own website. Most companies have specific pages dedicated to internship offers and you can either apply on line or send them your application by email.
5. Never give up! You need to show employers that you are motivated and eager to be a part of their team. This is a little challenging given that you are not in front of them, but behind your computer screen. The best way to show your motivation is by sending regular follow up emails to your potential employers. One week after your first email, you should send a second email reiterating your interest and requesting a webcam or telephone interview to talk about the possibilities of a training program. On average, employers start answering participants after 2 or 3 follow-up emails.
In addition, do not hesitate to use all the resources around you: your university, friends, personal and professional contacts, the Internet…
 You also have the option of going through a placement service. These kinds of services are not free. Timeframes can vary depending on the type of Internship that you are looking for. Standard processing times for placement agencies are between 6 to 8 weeks. If you choose to use the services of a placement agency, we strongly recommend Adout International.
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| Your employer |
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In accordance with the Department of State regulations, your employer must provide us with:
1. The DS 7002 form, duly filled out (please see application forms)
2. Employer ID/ TAX ID number - This number is your organization’s federal Tax ID number. It is a Department of State requirement that we obtain this number from any potential Host Organization.
3. Dun & Bradstreet Number - To be provided if your company has one, but may be left blank otherwise.
The process for requesting a number is relatively straightforward. There are two options for doing so:
1. Request number online at Dun and Bradstreet website – Process is free but takes up to 6 weeks;
2. Request number via telephone at 1-888-814-1435. Numbers can be turned around same day for an expedite fee of $99.
Your DS-2019 and SEVIS receipt cannot be granted prior to reception of the Dun & Bradstreet Number.
Academic institutions, government entities and family farms are not required to provide a Dun and Bradstreet number.
4. Workers' Compensation - This minimal insurance covering you for accidents within your workplace is mandatory. We are not allowed to accept employers that do not carry this insurance except in states where it is not a legal requirement. If your host organization is exempt from providing Workers' Compensation by their state's laws, they need to provide proof of that exemption by submitting a copy of the state law showing the exemption. They can contact CIEE at 1-888-369-1620 or trainees@ciee.org for further information.
5. Site visit - A site visit of your employer may be necessary if one of the following applies:
1. Your host company has fewer than 25 salaried full-time employees (all US subsidiaries included);
2. Your host company has not hosted an international intern with a J-1 visa through CIEE in the past three years;
3. Your host company generates an annual turnover inferior to 3 million US Dollars (all US subsidiaries included).
Host Organizations that are academic institutions or federal, state, or local government offices are excluded from the site visit requirement. If you find that your host company or organization will need a site visit, no worries! The process is easy and will only take 10-15 minutes of your employer’s time. There are no additional costs for this service but you need to add 48 hours to the processing timeframe.
Change of employer is not authorized except under exceptional circumstances (company lay-offs, breach of the training plan agreement on the part of the employer…) and only with prior approval from CIEE.
You are only authorized to work for one employer at a time: your host company. It is illegal to hold another training or job on the side.
Please note that employers working from a home office will be refused.
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| Your Salary & Budget |
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Most internships in the US are paid. However, you can choose to accept an unpaid offer. There is no restriction or limit to the compensation level and we strongly encourage you to only accept paid internships. It is up to you to negotiate with your employer!
The J-1 visa is mandatory, even if your internship is unpaid.
Do the math : Even if the initial investment (program fees, visa fees and plane ticket) seems high, you will cover it in a short amount of time.
In 2010-2011, our participants were paid between 0$ and 6 428$ per month with an average of 1 400$ per month.
| Internship USA program Fee : |
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£805 for 6 months, insurance included |
| SEVIS fee : |
£115 |
| Visa Fee (in London) : |
£85 |
| Total Fees : |
£1 005 |
If you add the cost of the plane ticket to this total, it will take you between 6 to 8 weeks to cover your initial investment. Negotiate with your employer! Most employers pay for the program fees and might even cover the cost of your plane ticket since they will be saving money by hiring you. All Parenthese/CIEE participants arrive with private US Health Insurance. Your employer does not need to provide this. Your employer does not pay FICA and FUTA taxes for you either. If your employer does not pay your program fees up front, they can also reimburse you once you have arrived in the United States.
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