My best friend, an engineering student at California Baptist University, has already applied for more than 50 internships, each of which denied her. Now, she's facing the harsh reality of having to possibly extend her studies for another year just to comply with the mandatory internship requirement before graduating. This is not an isolated case, but rather a representation of the broader issue affecting many engineering students at our university.

The current rule of making internship integral to the degree completion is proving to be an impediment to timely graduation, instead of a valuable addition to students' practical skills and resumes. It puts undue stress on students to find the right internship in an overly competitive marketplace. We believe that internships, while important, should not become a hurdle in their academic journey, but a choice that can be made by students based on their career goals and job market circumstances.

Moreover, it is worth noting that not all universities in California impose such strict requirements. For instance, according to the curriculum set forth by the University of California, Berkeley, internships are encouraged, not enforced as an essential part of the Engineering program. This offers students the leeway to complete their degrees on time, with or without internships lined up.

Therefore, we urge the California Baptist University to reconsider this mandatory internship requirement for its engineering students, and instead, provide it as an option for those interested. This policy change will ensure that no student’s graduation is delayed because of circumstances out of their control, adding to fairness and flexibility in the curriculum.

Please sign this petition to support our cause so that the students of California Baptist University can have a chance at on-time graduation and an academic journey free from unnecessary roadblocks.