Internships

An internship is a wonderful and effective way to connect your academic experience with the professional arena. It allows you to gain valuable exposure to the workplace, provides the opportunity for skill development, and gives you a competitive edge in the job search. All academic departments encourage it—and some require it.

Internships are your chance to earn college credit while gaining valuable, hands-on work experience. Anywhere from 1 to 9 credits of internship can be earned during a semester. Internships can be done in almost any academic department and can be used as elective and/or upper-division credits. Internship credits cost the same amount as any other course credits and will be displayed on your college transcript.

Students are able to apply for an internship their sophomore year upon completing an application and résumé and receiving approval from their academic department and the Center for Leadership and Career Development. 

Why consider doing an internship?

• By getting hands-on experience, you are better informed about careers, which can assist you in choosing an academic/degree program
• Having real work experience can help you in your job search
• Interns develop employment contacts and references and have an advantage as job seekers upon graduation

Goals of an internship

• Reality testing: Learn if this field is right for you
• Gain hands-on experience beyond the classroom
• Show future employers your commitment to and knowledge of the field
• Gain contacts through networking and access contacts in your field who will serve as mentors and references
• Get the inside edge on competition for full-time jobs
• Build confidence and success through internship experiences
• Build your résumé

An internship is not:

• A part-time or full-time job that does not specify career-related learning strategies and objectives
• Unsupervised volunteer experience
• Routine, repetitive clerical tasks

Paid or unpaid?
Sites decide this depending on their own policies and on the amount of work. Some sites pay hourly, while others for travel expenses or a stipend at the end of the internship. Some do not pay since it is for course credit. Every prospective intern is reminded that the "pay-off" is not reflected in the compensation but in the valuable experience gained by working in a professional environment.

Sophomores through seniors are eligible for non-credit and academic credit internships with approval from their academic department. Interested students should reach out to their Academic Advisor and the campus Internship Coordinator to begin the registration process and explore available internship options.