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What is an internship?
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Structured learning experience in the workforce
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Relates to a student's major and/or career goal
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Includes specific job responsibilities entailing assisting in projects and not only performing small tasks
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Is supervised by a professional in the field who gives feedback and training
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Can be one academic term (summer, spring, fall) or multiple academic terms in length
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Can also be called a practicum or co-op, and sometimes student jobs can be considered internships
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Is mutually agreed upon by the student, supervisor and/or faculty member
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Meets registration requirements for 0 credit hour or academic internship course
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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?
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Career exploration
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Leadership, competencies, and skill development
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Learn by doing
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Option to register for course credit or transcript notation
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Apply knowledge from the classroom
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Network and establish mentors and references
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Resume enhancements
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Gain a competitive edge for fulltime work or graduate school
When Should I Start Looking?
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It’s never too early to start, but we recommend 6-9 months in advance of when you hope to participate in an internship.
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You can start by scheduling an appointment with a career coach for assistance
Identify Motivations, Goals, and Priorities before Applying
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Why do I want an internship?
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How will obtaining an internship of interest potentially benefit me?
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In what field am I trying to gain experience?
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What skills or competencies do I want to gain from an internship?
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What kind of responsibilities would I like to have as an intern?
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What do I hope to learn from the internship?
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Would I consider unpaid experience?
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What considerations do I want to keep in mind for location, housing, and size or type of organization?
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Do I need a specific length, or hours per week in order to meet course registration requirements or other requirements for graduation?