SIP Applicant FAQs

Here are a few frequently asked questions that may be helpful during the application and internship process.  

How long are the internships?

All internships will require an eighty-hour time commitment, which is typically two consecutive forty-hour weeks. Any exceptions or variations known at this time are included in the internship job description. If the internship host has requested specific dates or has a schedule that is not expected to be two consecutive weeks of full-time work, this exception will be reflected in the job description found on the EfTA website. 

What industries are represented? Can I get information about the company for a given internship?

All career/industry categories are found on the job descriptions page on the EfTA website. We do not provide company names during the application process. We want students to choose the internship based on a match between their career interests and the job descriptions, not the company itself. 

Are there online/virtual internships available this year?

No. EfTA will only be offering in-person internships this year. 

Can I have more than one internship?

No. EfTA can only make one internship match for each applicant.

What if I am not available for the required work dates listed in a job description?

If specific dates are listed, there is no flexibility for that internship outside of the stated time frame. There are no exceptions to this. If you are not available, please do not apply for that position. 

What if I am not available for the whole summer? 

The Student Internship Program program will take place during a two-week period when your intern host is available. You might see some required work dates on job descriptions, but not all hosts have set dates. If specific dates are listed, there is no flexibility for that internship outside of the stated time frame. If you are not available, please do not apply for that position. Start date flexibility depends on the internship. Ultimately, hosts will decide your work period, and you will need to work your schedule to be available for those dates.

How do I apply?

Current high school juniors from Montgomery County, Texas can find our online application on the EfTA website SIP Student Landing Page. Students can also find details and information at your school's College and Career Counseling Center. In order to be considered for this program, applications must be submitted in full no later than April 3, 2026 at 10:00 pm. 

What if I cannot pay the $20 non-refundable application fee?

If you are eligible for an SAT/ACT fee waiver, please talk to your College and Career Counselor about an application fee reduction.

What are the volunteer requirements for the program?

All applicants are required to complete four hours of volunteer service for an EfTA station at the IRONMAN Texas on April 18, 2026. EfTA has volunteer stations with shifts on Friday and throughout the day on Saturday. These shifts are three to four hours long and must be selected from the list found on the SIP Student Landing Page. Sign up early for the best selection of times. Volunteering with another group at IRONMAN Texas does not fulfill this requirement.

If you are not available on April 17th or 18th, please contact Ashley Ouellette at aouellette@efta-us.org for more information about fulfilling the volunteer requirement of the application.

Where do I find the available job descriptions? (Available March 1, 2026)

A list of job descriptions can be found on the EfTA website, under the “Student Internship Opportunities-Job Descriptions" tab. You will indicate your top three internships on your application. Please note that you are not guaranteed placement in your top-ranked internships. STEM-focused internships are particularly competitive. 

How do I know if I was placed in my preferred internship? 

Placed students will be invited by email to attend a mandatory in-person orientation. Students will need to RSVP via the link in the email for their preferred date. Interns will receive contact information for their internship hosts and will be given instructions on next steps at this orientation. Please note, email is the primary means of communication between EfTA staff members and students. 

Do I have an advantage if I apply early?

No. All complete applications submitted by the April 3, 2026 deadline will be reviewed at the same time. There is no advantage to students applying early. In fact, students are encouraged to prepare the various parts of their application, communicate with a recommendation writer, and sign up for an IRONMAN volunteer shift, but wait until closer to the deadline to submit the application. Additional job opportunities will be posted into April and waiting ensures job descriptions added closer to the submission deadline can be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

What happens if I do not get placed in one of my top internship choices?

If you are not placed in one of your top three choices in the first round of placements, an EfTA representative will contact you to let you know what internship opportunities are still available. Internship hosts continue to register through June, so it is recommended that you continue to check your email and respond when new opportunities that interest you are posted.  

What are the chances that I will get an internship placement?

Placements are completely dependent on the number of people applying for the same position as you. Some job descriptions receive 50+ requests for one spot while others may receive two requests for two spots. It varies each year. Students that are flexible with the type of internship, typically get placed into an internship. 

Once accepted into the program, what is required to complete the program?

Once you are accepted into the 2026 Student Internship Program and given an intern placement, you will be required to: interview with your intern host, turn in all required documents, complete an interest inventory quiz and reflection, attend an online interview workshop and submit the homework assignment, complete your entire eighty-hour in-person internship, and submit a post-internship reflection and survey. Students are strongly encouraged to attend a Student Internship Program breakfast scheduled for June 25, 2026. An RSVP will be sent to all placed students. Additional information on each of these requirements will be provided at orientation. Please note, email is the primary means of communication between EfTA staff members and students.