Resources & Guides

Ask your school counselor, attendance office, or front office for a CDE B1-1 form ("Statement of Intent to Employ a Minor and Request for Work Permit"). Most California high schools have these on hand. You can also download it from the California Department of Education website.

The employer (the organization offering the internship) must sign and fill out their section of the form, including their business name, address, the type of work, and the hours you'll work. This means you need to have a confirmed offer before getting the permit — so don't wait until the last minute.

Your parent or guardian must sign the student section of the form. Make sure they fill in their contact information and sign where indicated.

Bring the completed form back to your school's attendance office or counseling office. A school official will review your grades and attendance, then issue the official permit — usually within 1–5 business days. The permit is free. If anyone charges you for it, that's wrong.

California law restricts work hours for minors:

• Ages 16–17 during school year: Max 4 hours on school days, 8 hours on non-school days, no more than 48 hours per week
• Ages 16–17 during summer: Up to 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week
• Ages 14–15: More restrictive limits apply — ask your school counselor
• You cannot work between 10pm and 5am on nights before school days

Include these sections — you don't need all of them, just the ones that apply:

• Contact info — Name, phone, email (use a professional email like firstname.lastname@gmail.com)
• Objective statement — 2 sentences: who you are, what you're looking for, and why
• Education — Your school name, grade/graduation year, GPA if 3.0+
• Activities / Clubs — Sports, student government, clubs, volunteer work, church groups
• Skills — Languages (especially Spanish!), computer programs, typing speed, soft skills
• Volunteer / Community Work — Even one-day events count
• References — A teacher, coach, or family friend who can speak to your character

"Motivated junior at Edison High School seeking a summer internship with the City of Stockton. Eager to gain hands-on experience in public administration and contribute to my community."

"First-generation college student at San Joaquin Delta College pursuing a degree in Business Administration. Looking for a paid internship where I can develop professional skills and gain real-world experience."

"Bilingual (English/Spanish) high school student with strong communication skills and experience volunteering at my local church. Seeking a summer position to gain professional experience."

• Canva — High School Resume Templates — Free, designed for students with no work experience
• Google Docs resume templates — Simple, free, easy to share
• Resume.io — Guided builder, free basic version
• Kickresume (Students) — Specifically designed for students with no experience; free PDF download
• CareerOneStop Resume Guide — U.S. Dept. of Labor's step-by-step resume guide with samples and action verbs
• Your school counselor — Many schools have resume templates and will review yours for free
• WorkNet Career Centers — Free resume help available at all SJC WorkNet locations

• "Tell me about yourself." — Practice a 60-second answer: your name, where you go to school, what you're studying or interested in, and why you're applying.
• "Why do you want this internship?" — Be specific. Mention the organization by name and something real about what they do.
• "What are your strengths?" — Name 2–3 and back them up with a quick example.
• "Tell me about a challenge you've overcome." — Use a real example. It doesn't need to be dramatic.
• "Do you have any questions for us?" — Always say yes. Ask: "What does a typical day look like for the intern?" or "What skills do your best interns have?"

• Dress one level above what the workplace normally wears. For a government or office role, aim for business casual (slacks or a skirt, a button-down or blouse). Clean, pressed, no logos.
• Arrive 5–10 minutes early. If it's virtual, test your camera and microphone the day before.
• Bring a copy of your resume and a pen and paper.
• Turn your phone completely off — not silent, off.
• Make eye contact, speak clearly, and it's okay to take a pause before answering.

Send a short thank-you email within 24 hours. It takes 5 minutes and almost no one does it — which means doing it makes you stand out.

Sample: "Dear [Name], thank you for taking the time to meet with me today about the [internship name] position. I really enjoyed learning about [specific thing they mentioned] and I'm very excited about the opportunity. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any additional questions. Thank you again, [Your Name]."

California law is stricter than federal law about unpaid internships. An internship can only legally be unpaid if it meets all of these conditions:

• The training is similar to what you'd get in school
• The experience is for your benefit, not the employer's
• The employer gets no immediate advantage from your work
• There is no guarantee of a job at the end
• You understand you'll be unpaid

If an employer has you doing regular work tasks for free, that may not be legal. Talk to a school counselor or WorkNet if you're unsure.

A major new California law effective January 2026 (AB 323) now allows community colleges to use Strong Workforce Program funds to pay students directly for internships. This is brand new and many colleges are still setting up the programs.

If you're a student at San Joaquin Delta College, Modesto Junior College, or Merced College, ask your career center specifically about paid internship funding through the Strong Workforce Program. The money exists — the programs are just getting started.

Focus your applications on these:

• City of Stockton Y.E.S.S. Program — $23/hr, 100 spots, summer only
• SJC WorkNet / Teen WorkNet — Stipends, wages, or subsidized employment for income-eligible youth
• Eckerd Connects Youth Program — Paid placements for WIOA-eligible youth
• Stanislaus County Internships — $16.50–$20.07/hr for college students
• STEP Program — Paid on-the-job training for students with IEPs

Three federal laws protect students and workers with disabilities:

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — Prohibits discrimination in employment for employers with 15+ employees. You cannot legally be denied a job because of a disability, and employers must provide reasonable accommodations unless doing so creates undue hardship.
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act — Applies to any organization receiving federal funding (including most internship programs). Similar protections to ADA.
• IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) — Applies to your K–12 school, not your employer. But it entitles you to transition planning that includes work experience starting at age 16.

Disclosure: You are never required to disclose a disability to an employer. You only need to disclose if you need a specific accommodation — and even then, you only need to say you have a disability that requires an accommodation, not what it is. You can request accommodations at any point, including after you've started.

Common reasonable accommodations: flexible hours, written instructions, a quieter workspace, assistive technology, extra time on tasks, modified duties. Employers cannot charge you for accommodations.

The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) provides free job counseling, training, internship support, assistive technology, and even job coaching for students and adults with disabilities. Services are individualized — a counselor works with you personally to develop a plan.

209-area DOR offices:

• Stockton: (209) 954-4163 — dor.ca.gov
• Modesto: (209) 576-6225
• Merced: (209) 385-7434

You can apply online at dor.ca.gov or walk in to any office. There's no income requirement — DOR serves all eligible students with disabilities regardless of family income.

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS): If you're a student with a disability between ages 14 and 22 with an IEP or 504 plan, you may be eligible for Pre-ETS through DOR even before applying for full VR services. Pre-ETS covers: job exploration, work-based learning, counseling on post-secondary options, workplace readiness training, and self-advocacy instruction. These services are free and you don't need to be a DOR client to access some of them.

• WorkAbility I — A California Department of Education program that places high school students with IEPs in paid work experience, job training, and career exploration during the school year. Ask your special education teacher or transition coordinator if your school participates. Many schools in SUSD, MUSD, and MCUSD districts have active WorkAbility I programs.
• WorkAbility III — Similar program for adults with disabilities in adult education and Regional Center programs.
• WorkAbility IV — A partnership between California community colleges and DOR that places college students with disabilities in paid internships and work experience. If you're enrolled at San Joaquin Delta College, Modesto Junior College, or Merced College, ask your Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS) office about WorkAbility IV.
• Transition Partnership Program (TPP) — A DOR + school district collaboration that provides vocational rehabilitation services to students with IEPs in their last years of high school. Your transition coordinator or special education case manager can refer you.

Project SEARCH is an internationally recognized program where students with intellectual and developmental disabilities spend a full school year interning inside a host business (hospitals, government offices, hotels). California has multiple sites and new programs are regularly added. Contact DOR or your transition coordinator to find the nearest Project SEARCH site and ask about enrollment for the following school year.

STEP (Supported Employment Program) — A California DOR program that provides paid, on-the-job training with a job coach for students and adults with significant disabilities. The job coach works alongside you at the internship or job site, fading support over time as you become more independent. Referral through DOR.

We Can Work — A California initiative expanding competitive integrated employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ask your Regional Center service coordinator about work experience options in the 209.

Every California community college has a Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS) office. If you're enrolled at Delta College, MJC, or Merced College, DSPS can help you with:

• Accommodation letters for employers (voluntary, but helpful)
• Assistive technology and adaptive equipment loans
• Connection to WorkAbility IV paid internship funding
• Career counseling with disability-aware advisors
• Priority registration so you can build a schedule around work

DSPS services are free and confidential. You do not need to disclose your DSPS status to employers. Make an appointment early in the semester — waitlists can be long.

Many students with disabilities receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSDI, and worry that earning wages will cause them to lose benefits. This is called the "benefits cliff" — and it's a real concern, but there are protections:

• Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) — If you're under 22 and regularly attending school, the SSA excludes a significant amount of earned income from your SSI calculation (over $9,000/year in 2025). This means you can earn money from an internship without losing SSI.
• Ticket to Work — A free SSA program that lets adults on SSDI work and receive employment support services without immediately losing benefits. You can test working without penalty during a trial period. choosework.ssa.gov
• PASS (Plan to Achieve Self-Support) — An SSA program that lets you set aside income for a work goal (like education, equipment, or starting a business) without it counting against your SSI.
• CalABLE — California's tax-advantaged savings account for people with disabilities. Lets you save up to $18,000/year without affecting Medi-Cal or SSI (up to certain limits). calable.ca.gov

db101.org is an excellent free resource that lets you model exactly how working will affect your specific benefits. Highly recommended before taking any job or internship. ca.db101.org →

• Resources for Independent Living / RICV (Stockton) — A Center for Independent Living serving San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Calaveras counties. Offers benefits counseling, employment services, peer mentoring, and transition support for students with disabilities. Located in Stockton. ricv.org →
• SJC WorkNet — WorkNet has disability-aware staff and can connect students with disabilities to WIOA Title IV (Vocational Rehabilitation) funded services alongside their youth employment programs. Call (209) 468-3660.
• San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) Special Education — Oversees transition services and IEP programs across SJ County schools, including work-based learning coordination. Your IEP team can connect you with county-level transition resources.
• Regional Centers — If you're served by a Regional Center (for intellectual/developmental disabilities), your service coordinator can connect you to supported employment, internship programs, and community-based vocational instruction.

JAN is a free consulting service funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. You can call or chat with an expert who will help you figure out what accommodations to ask for, how to phrase the request, and what the law requires your employer to do. This is especially helpful if you're not sure what to ask for or how to start the conversation with an employer.

askjan.org · Call: 1-800-526-7234 · Chat available on their website