The frequently asked questions below are organized into the following topic areas: internships, housing, and travel.
Internships - General
Internships - Compensation
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Housing
Travel - Getting to/from Sandia
Travel - Completing Vouchers for Intern Travel Expenses
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- What is a Sandia internship?
- A Sandia internship provides an intern with work experience under the direction of a Sandia mentor. Internships vary, depending on the mentor and the type of work involved.
- Most of our internships are in technical areas. However, we do have some internships in business areas, as well as some clerical positions. Sandia offers a traditional internship experience, as well as the opportunity to participate in a technical “institute.”
- What is an institute?
- Institutes offer internships focused in the technical areas that support Sandia’s mission. Each institute is organized by one or more mentors who work with groups of interns in a specific discipline area on real-world, meaningful projects.
- How do I sign up for a specific institute?
- Click on apply from the top of any page within our site, and you will reach Step 1 of our application process. In Step 1, you will confirm that you meet Sandia’s internship requirements and create an intern profile (IP) that will help us match your background and interests with available Sandia/California internships. From there, you will migrate to Sandia’s corporate employment website to finish the application process. Once we have your information, your profile will be routed to one of our project managers who will review your experience and forward your profile to mentors who may be a match for your interests and/or skills.
- Are all intern applicants offered an internship position?
- Because we have a limited number of internships available during each academic time frame, we are not able to place all applicants. However, we will do our best to place those most closely qualified for the positions we have to offer.
- What is the role of a Sandia mentor?
- A mentor is a Sandia employee who supervises the work of an intern, providing guidance and acting as a role model.
- Does Sandia offer a co-op program?
- Yes, students who participate in a co-op take a semester or quarter off from school to work as an intern. Co-op interns must be full-time students receiving college credit and must meet all other internship requirements. Interns are responsible for making arrangements with their colleges or universities to take time off, but we will help if needed.
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- Are there professional-development and social activities for interns?
- Yes. Some professional-development activities are planned during the workday for interns. These activities may include speakers, tours, and some lunchtime social events. In addition, the Intern Island section of our website is available to interns to plan extracurricular social activities during lunchtime or during evening and weekend hours. On Intern Island, you will find both a work calendar and a bulletin board where you can view examples of activities being offered.
- How old must an intern be to participate in an internship?
- When are internships offered?
- Our internships are offered at the same time as most academic semesters/quarters.
- For those who live within commuting distance, we offer internships that allow students to work year-round.
- During the summer, we have our largest influx of student interns.
- When does a fall co-op at Sandia/California begin and end?
- The length of a fall co-op at Sandia generally begins the last week in August and ends the second week in December. You will need to determine exact beginning and ending dates with your school so that you receive the proper credit. Otherwise, please discuss your particular situation with your mentor to arrive at times that best suit both of your needs.
- I am not a United States citizen. Can I participate in an internship or co-op?
- No, at this time, only United States citizens can participate in our internship and co-op programs.
- I am interested in an internship; however, my major is not in a technical field. Do I qualify?
- Yes, we do have some internships in business areas.
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- I am a high school student. Can I participate in an internship?
- Yes, we do have limited openings for local high school students (you must be 16 years old).
- Will Sandia provide a health insurance plan?
- Summer students are not eligible for medical benefits. Year-round post secondary students who are not covered by another medical plan can enroll in the United Health Care Standard PPO plan.
- Are interns considered to be employees of the federal government or of Lockheed Martin?
- Neither. Interns are considered employees of Sandia Corporation.
- How many hours does an intern work?
- Co-op and summer interns work a 40-hour week.
- If you are a high school or undergraduate intern living in the area and working part-time while attending school, you may work up to 25 hours a week. Graduate students may work up to 30 hours a week. All part-time interns may work full-time during official school breaks under the supervision of their mentors.
- Is smoking allowed at Sandia?
- No, smoking is not allowed anywhere on Sandia premises. Sandia is a smoke/tobacco-free facility.
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- Are interns paid?
- Yes, interns are paid a salary.
- What is the typical compensation for interns at Sandia?
- Anywhere from $10.75 to $35.87/hr (high school through all graduate levels), depending on the work you are performing and your accumulated school credits.
- Interns are responsible for submitting their latest transcripts in order to receive appropriate pay increases. Pay increases are not retroactive if transcripts are submitted late.
- College/university interns may receive pay increases at the following stages of their academic credit status:
- 1–11 units = incoming rates
- 12–30 units = next increase
- 31–60 units = next increase
- 61–90 units = next increase
- 91–120 units = next increase
- 121+ units = next increase
- B.S./B.A. grad, M.S./M.A. student = next increase
- M.S./M.A. grad, Ph.D. student = next increase
- Ph.D. student (completed courses/exams) = next and final increase
- Will Sandia pay travel expenses from my home to Sandia?
- Yes. If you live more than 50 miles from Sandia, you can be reimbursed for one round-trip airfare via the most direct route between your home or university and Sandia. If driving, reimbursement is for one round trip on a per-mile basis. Information will be provided in your offer package about Sandia’s travel guidelines. You must adhere to these guidelines in order to be reimbursed.
- Are interns compensated for employee holidays?
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- Does Sandia/California manage the housing process for interns?
- A: Sandia is not responsible for managing the housing process for interns. Please see the Intern Housing Resources page for information that will assist you in finding local resources.
- How far are the apartments from Sandia?
- A: The apartment complexes listed on our site are all within a 5-mile radius of Sandia. However, there are many other options for apartments within a reasonable commute from Sandia. Use the links provided to search for other viable options.
- What are my transportation options for getting to Sandia from the apartment complexes and/or getting around the Bay Area?
- You have several options:
- Bicycling to work is very common for Sandians. You can bring your own bike (or have it shipped to the apartment complex at your personal expense), or buy a bike once you get here (check the local PennySaver for good deals).
- You can take the local bus system (WHEELS). You can check the WHEELS website for schedules, or call (925) 455-7500.
- Public transportation around the Bay Area is through BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). You can check the BART website for everything you ever wanted to know about riding BART. The local WHEELS bus system can get you to the closest BART station, which is the Dublin/Pleasanton station.
- BART tickets can be purchased at the station, or you can purchase discount tickets at stores such as Safeway, Lucky’s, and Longs Drugs.
- Will Sandia reimburse me for the cost of shipping my personal belongings to my apartment?
- No, Sandia does not reimburse you for the cost of shipping your personal items. Interns are considered to be temporary employees and do not qualify for the reimbursement of relocation expenses.
- Will I be reimbursed for my travel expenses to Sandia?
- Yes, you will be reimbursed for one round trip via the most direct route between your home or university and Sandia. This includes airfare, shuttle from airport to the apartment, and/or mileage for driving (the most direct route). Check the travel FAQs below for reimbursement information.
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(NOTE: Download the Intern Travel Guidelines for further details pertaining to all travel.)
- Who is eligible for travel reimbursement?
- Travel expenses are reimbursed only for those interns whose school site and permanent address are more than 50 miles from Sandia.
- What if I don’t know when I am returning home? Do I book a round-trip or a one-way ticket?
- Book a round-trip ticket. Talk to your mentor ahead of time to agree on a start and end date for your internship so that you can book a round-trip flight. Once your round-trip ticket is issued, any changes will be at YOUR expense unless the change is made for a business purpose.
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- What if I’m starting off with a personal business trip before coming to Sandia or returning home?
- TBIZ (see travel guidelines) will require Sandia authorization for travel that includes personal business. Please contact the Student Internship Program office before you start your trip to make those arrangements. Sandia will pay up to the maximum number of trip miles allowed. Anything over that, as a result of leisure/personal business, is the intern’s responsibility.
- Will Sandia pay for a shuttle or car rental to and from the airport on my way to Sandia?
- Will Sandia pay for a shuttle or car rental to and from the airport on my way home from Sandia?
- Will Sandia cover travel expenses if I drive from my home/school to Sandia? How about for my return home?
- How much will Sandia reimburse for meal expenses?
- How much will Sandia reimburse for lodging expenses?
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Travel - Completing Vouchers for Intern Travel Expenses
- How do I get reimbursed for my incoming travel expenses to Sandia?
- A: You will receive a Travel Voucher form in your offer package. You can complete the form after you arrive in Livermore. Return the completed form to Jan Bachman at MS9904 or Building 911/Room 117F once you are onsite. (Save all your receipts.)
- How do I get reimbursed for my travel expenses going back home?
- What is “per diem?”
- A: “Per diem” is Latin for “by the day.” Within the context used above, it is a government-set standard allowance for the daily travel expenses of a government employee.
- How should I handle my travel expenses if I will be on business travel for my last day(s) of work?
- A: Your office management assistant (OMA) and/or mentor will handle your business-travel expenses. Speak with your OMA for more details.
- If you happen to have a business trip on your way home from your internship, your OMA should contact Student Programs.
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