By Carla Trujillo | Career Advisor, Fulfillment Fund
As internship season peaks, it’s worth asking: What do internships really mean, especially for first-generation college students? They’re not just resume boosters. They are gateways to opportunity. Internships provide access to workplaces that once felt out of reach, connect students with mentors who can open doors, and offer insight into the unspoken rules that quietly shape professional success.
Fulfillment Fund supports students who are doing more than preparing for careers; they’re trailblazing for their families and communities. While navigating college, they’re also decoding a less visible layer of learning: the hidden curriculum—the informal “know-how” that isn’t taught in classrooms but is often expected in the workplace.
Knowing how to follow up after an interview, speak with confidence about your strengths, or navigate workplace culture isn’t automatic. These are learned skills. And if you haven’t seen them modeled, you’re not behind; you just haven’t been shown the blueprint yet.
That’s why we’re intentional about making the hidden curriculum visible.
Building Confidence One Step at a Time
Recently, a student shared with me that the most important thing they gained from our work together wasn’t a resume draft or a job lead. It was the courage to try. Like many students, they weren’t sure they were “qualified enough” to apply for internships. Through one-on-one advising, we unpacked those doubts and built a plan. What followed was their first internship experience and a new sense of direction.
That shift from hesitation to confidence is one of the most powerful parts of career advising. Students already have the strengths they need: resilience, resourcefulness, and navigational capital. Our job is to help them recognize and activate those strengths in professional settings.
Not Sure Where to Start? Start Here.
Finding internships isn’t just about having the right search terms; it’s about knowing when and how to begin. Here’s how to get ahead:
Know Your Timeline
- Fall internships open in the summer
- Spring internships open in early fall
- Summer internships open in late fall and winter
Start early. Revisit your materials often. And stay ready, because opportunities can open anytime.
Use Your Resources
- Tap into our partners like CareerSpring and AscentUP – platforms built for first-gen students with culturally responsive tools to help students navigate internship and career pathways.
- Participate in Fulfillment Fund’s Program events: Career Expo, Picture Your Perfect Career Day, site visits, job shadowing, career speaker series, and 1:1 career advising are designed to make internship access more equitable and clear.
- Visit your campus career center! They’re there to help, whether it’s mock interviews or resume feedback, so make sure to take full advantage of their resources.
Your College Journey Is Career Prep
Every group project, leadership role, part-time job, and classroom presentation is training you for what’s next. But turning experience into opportunity requires action.
Here’s a starting point:
✅Meet with your career advisor
✅ Visit your campus career center
✅ Attend at least one career event this semester
Every step counts. Every email sent, every question asked, every introduction made is part of your forward motion. You don’t need all the answers. You just need to start.
We interviewed Coco Li, UCLA ’26, about her internship at AIT Logistics. She shares what she learned, what surprised her, and her advice for students exploring career paths through internships.
In what ways did your internship help you build or apply strengths that reflect your unique background, such as resilience, adaptability, or community insight?
Coco Li, UCLA’26, completed an internship at AIT Logistics.
Key skills that this internship has taught me so far are resilience and adaptability. Working on the operations side of logistics has shown me the importance of staying resilient and adaptable, as unexpected changes can occur quickly and alter your initial plan. Moreover, each shipment handled poses unique challenges, making it essential to remain flexible and open-minded.
What part of the “hidden curriculum” did you encounter during your internship—such as unspoken workplace norms or expectations—and how did you navigate it?
Within the freight forwarding and logistics industry, there are numerous industry-specific terms that exist, many of which are abbreviated. When I started, it took some time for me to understand what these terms meant before they stuck. What helped me the most was writing down the terms and their meanings and asking for further clarification whenever I was still confused.
What networks or professional relationships did you build during your internship, and how do you plan to continue growing those connections after the summer?
During the internship, I have been rotating among the different departments at AIT, which has allowed me to connect with and learn from individuals involved in various aspects of logistics and freight forwarding. Additionally, with every team member valuing growth for those around them, it has been easy to reach out to people outside the departments I shadow to learn more about their roles and previous experiences. After the summer, I plan to maintain and grow these relationships by checking in with them periodically through calls and emails.
Sarah Hernandez, CSULB ’27, is currently interning at Teleo Capital. In our interview, she reflects on the skills she’s building, insights she’s gained, and what she wants fellow students to know about stepping into the finance industry.
In what ways did your internship help you build or apply strengths that reflect your unique background, such as resilience, adaptability, or community insight?
Sarah Hernandez, CSULB, ’27 , completed an internship at Teleo Capital
During my internship at Teleo Capital, I collaborated with another fellow intern to complete a capstone project. Throughout the experience, I leaned heavily on my communication, time management, and research skills to meet our goals.
What part of the “hidden curriculum” did you encounter during your internship—such as unspoken workplace norms or expectations—and how did you navigate it?
One aspect of the hidden curriculum I encountered was the unspoken expectation to take initiative and manage our time independently. Our mentor checked in about once or twice a day, so it was up to us to be self-directed and reach out when we needed clarification or support. Navigating this situation taught me a lot about the professional environment and the importance of accountability.
What networks or professional relationships did you build during your internship, and how do you plan to continue growing those connections after the summer?
I was also able to connect with my mentors during the internship and hope to maintain those relationships moving forward. I’ve since followed up with a thank-you message and connected with them on Linkedln, and I plan to stay in touch by sharing occasional updates and continuing to seek guidance as I grow in my academic and professional journey.
You Already Have What It Takes
To every first-gen student forging a new path: your adaptability, persistence, and willingness to keep showing up — even when it’s uncomfortable — are not gaps. They’re assets.
You’re not meant to do this alone. We’re here to walk alongside you. Internships are bridges between potential and possibility. Confidence helps you walk across them. And your story? It’s only getting started…