Internships

An internship should be something planned for and very strategic in ones’ career preparation, not just an afterthought to gain more academic credit. Internships are to be carefully selected and well investigated.

Internships are most often secured during the junior year or early senior year. They can be for credit, not-for-credit, pay, non-pay, during the academic year or during the summer. To secure an internship consult with an academic advisor, faculty member, and Career Services. Students of all academic majors are strongly encouraged to experience an internship.

The value of this experience goes beyond a college perspective. Employers are sponsoring internship programs, providing training for students and giving participating students priority for employment. In 1998, employers report over 50% new hires having internship experience. Over 80% of employers in the service industry, manufacturing, and government/non-profits offer internship programs. (NACE, Nov. 1998)

With the combining trends of hiring new graduates with experience, the investment of internship programs and hiring rates of in-house interns, can any student afford not to have an internship?

What is the process to get an internship?

Where to find an Internship:

· Internship Binder in Career Services · Faculty, Advisors
· Career Service Web Site   · Internship Internet Sites
· Internship Directories in Career Services · Departmental Internship Binders
· Seek out/create an internship with the guidance of Faculty/Career Services

What to do when you have found an internship: (if this is for credit)

· Get the internship opportunity approved by faculty advisor and/or Career Services
· Complete the terms and guidelines of the Learning Contract for an Internship 490 form
with the Internship Supervisor and Faculty advisor
· Submit the Learning Contract for an Internship (490) form to the Academic Office no later
than the week after the close of registration
· Meet with your mentor as scheduled throughout the Internship

For a detailed description of the positions/internships listed above see the respective binder in Career Services.