The University of New Mexico’s (UNM) Professional Internship Program offers students and recent graduates a professional learning experience with the unique opportunity to gain meaningful work experiences, enhance their academic and professional pursuits, and develop career readiness through on-the-job training. The program is designed to provide mentorship from industry professionals and opportunities to develop new skills and competencies. Becoming a Professional Intern is a great way to engage in career exploration and provides opportunities to build meaningful professional connections.
The Professional Internship Program consists of three Program Intern job classifications:
Title | Grade | Minimum Job Requirements | Targeted Position |
---|---|---|---|
Professional Support Intern/ A2099 | 8 | Students currently enrolled at an accredited university in a Bachelor's or Master's program, within 12 months from graduating or a recent graduate of an accredited university Bachelor's or Master's program who have obtained their degree(s) no more than 24 months prior to the date of hire; no previous experience required. |
Typically targets positions in grades 9 & 10. Primary responsibilities are focused on providing support-type work. Provides students or recent graduates with opportunities to gain general experience in the workforce regardless of degree field. |
Professional Intern/ A3099 | 9 | Bachelor's degree obtained no more than 24 months prior to the date of hire; no previous work experience required. |
Typically targets positions in grades 10 & 11. Primary responsibilities are focused on providing professional-level work. Provides recent graduates with opportunities to gain experience in their degree field. |
Professional Intern/Technical/ F3099 | 10 | Bachelor's of Science degree related to the work to be completed obtained no more than 24 months prior to the date of hire; no previous experience required. |
Typically targets positions in grades 11 & 12. Primary responsibilities are focused on technical positions in applied engineering or other advanced technical fields. Provides recent graduates with opportunities to gain experience in their degree field. |
The program is a department-driven process and can be used to formally progress a student or recent graduate from a Professional Intern job series to a lateral or higher-level staff position upon successful program completion. Professional Interns will be employed with the University as term employees, typically no less than 6 months and no more than 2 years, at which time, they will be placed into the targeted staff position OR if the department does not have a business need for a targeted position, the term employment will end. Professional Interns are not guaranteed a regular position at the end of their internship. However, with the new skills they obtained, Professional Interns can competitively apply for positions they are now qualified for.
Once the department has identified a need to hire a position within the Professional Intern series, the department will need to complete the Internship Development Plan (IDP) form. The following must occur at the onset of the hiring. Departments must:
The duration of the IDP is typically no less than 6 months and no more than 2 years. The actual length of time needed to complete the IDP depends on the time it takes the Professional Intern to attain the minimum qualifications of the targeted position, if applicable. By the completion of the IDP, the Professional Intern should have gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the classification, as well as the ability to demonstrate competency in the key duties and responsibilities of the classification.
Note Regarding Non-Competitive Hires: Most Professional Intern positions should be filled through competitive recruitment. In limited cases, a Professional Intern may be placed into the targeted position without competitive recruitment. Departments must justify the non-competitive placement into the targeted position within the IDP. For non-competitive placement into the targeted position, preference is given to UNM students or recent graduates and allowed in the following circumstances:
See University Administrative Policies (UAP) #3260, Career Development, Section 6
The following preconditions must be met:
Upon completion of the IDP, the manager must:
Placement will occur via a career ladder.
At the department's discretion, an intern may receive a salary adjustment upon completion of the IDP. Please refer to the Salary Determination and Internal Equity for Staff Employees Guidelines for guidance on pay increases and internal equity reviews.
For bargaining unit employees please refer to the appropriate union bargaining agreement.