What is an internship? 

• Structured learning experience in the workforce 

• Relates to a student's major and/or career goal 

• Includes specific job responsibilities entailing assisting in projects and not only performing small tasks 

• Is supervised by a professional in the field who gives feedback and training 

• Can be one academic term (summer, spring, fall) or multiple academic terms in length 

• Can also be called a practicum or co-op, and sometimes student jobs can be considered internships 

• Is mutually agreed upon by the student, supervisor and/or faculty member 

• Meets registration requirements for 0 credit hour or academic internship course  

• Is paid or unpaid, part-time or full-time  

Note:  while many internships in non-profit organizations and governmental agencies are unpaid, for-profit organizations must pay you unless they meet U.S. Department of Labor standards 

 
What are the benefits? 

• Career exploration 

• Leadership, competencies, and skill development 

• Learn by doing 

• Option to register for course credit or transcript notation 

• Apply knowledge from the classroom 

• Network and establish mentors and references 

• Resume enhancements 

• Gain a competitive edge for fulltime work or graduate school 

When Should I Start Looking? 

• It’s never too early to start, but we recommend 6-9 months in advance of when you hope to participate in an internship.   

• You can start by scheduling an appointment with a career coach for assistance  

Identify Motivations, Goals, and Priorities before Applying 

• Why do I want an internship? 

• How will obtaining an internship of interest potentially benefit me? 

• In what field am I trying to gain experience? 

• What skills or competencies do I want to gain from an internship? 

• What kind of responsibilities would I like to have as an intern? 

• What do I hope to learn from the internship? 

• Would I consider unpaid experience? 

• What considerations do I want to keep in mind for location, housing, and size or type of organization? 

• Do I need a specific length, or hours per week in order to meet course registration requirements or other requirements for graduation?