Industrial Design Internships

At CCA, we believe learning happens not just in the studio—but out in the world. That’s why every Industrial Design student completes at least one internship before graduation. It’s your chance to apply what you’ve learned, build professional relationships, and step confidently into the design industry.

Internships typically happen in your third year, often during the summer before senior year. Whether you’re interested in soft goods, consumer electronics, sustainability, healthcare, mobility, or creative technology, we’ll help connect you to an internship that aligns with your path.

Our Professional Practice course and Junior Review process are key moments in your third year that prepare you for this transition. Through portfolio development, mock interviews, industry critiques, and mentorship, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to reach out to companies, apply for roles, and begin building your professional network.

Program Requirements

To receive credit toward your Industrial Design degree, your internship must:

• Be directly related to Industrial Design or related to design (product, packaging, graphic design, design service, design operations, creative system, or user experience and design research).
• Be supervised or mentored by someone with formal design training.
• Be approved in advance with a completed Internship Learning Agreement.
• Be compensated (there is no minimum pay requirement).
  
  

For support or questions, reach out to David Gonzalez at dgonzalez@cca.edu.