The Ins and Outs of Internships

Considering an Internship?

An intern is…

• A student or a recent graduate undergoing supervised practical training.

• An internship is an opportunity to integrate career related experience into an undergraduate education by participating in planned, supervised work.

• cooperative education

• practicum • externship • apprenticeship

andClinical experience,

student teaching

Internships Vary Across the University

• Paid or unpaid • Required or optional • Credit or no credit• 5 hours a week to 40 hours a week: full-

time or part-time • During the Summer, Fall

or Spring Semesters• Off campus or on

It's hard to land a job without having done the job.

– Internships are not only a crucial way to bridge that experience gap, they've become an expectation for companies.

– National Association of Colleges and Employers says employers in a recent survey reported 47.1 percent of their entry-level hires from the Class of 2014 came from their own internship programs.

• Each department determines and publishes eligibility for internship credit.

– Criteria may include GPA, number of hours completed or class rank.

Eligibility

• Awarded during the semester that the internship is completed.

• Earned in the department most clearly aligned with the experience.

• Get approval BEFORE you start your internship

An ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP IS...

• On-site learning experience• Related to student’s major/interest• Planned ahead of time• Student receives credit• Student has academic responsibilities too• Student is supervised on-site & by faculty

• Each department will determine the grading system used

– either P/F or letter grades.

• Cooperating Employer - organization that has agreed to participate in the internship program and whose participation has been agreed to by the department.

• Faculty Supervisor - faculty member who supervises the student’s internship experience.

• Departmental Coordinator - department head or person designated by same, who coordinates activities of all internships in that academic department.

Definitions

• Find your internship and discuss it with advisor

• Prepare resume• Find internship• Complete paperwork

• Check with your academic adviser• Visit Career Services • Read Your Internship Alerts• Access websites• Attend job fairs • Contact the Chamber of Commerce of the city where you

would like to work.• Network – Use Mentor Network• Design your own internship-find a company that interests

you but that doesn't have an internship program

Locating Opportunities

• Each employer has its own application process – So find out that application procedure– When is the deadline? – What will the employer need from you to

make your application complete? – Start early.

Procedures to get Signed-up

• Submit an application for internship participation to the faculty supervisor or Departmental Coordinator.

• Register and pay tuition and fees in the semester in which the internship is being completed.

• IF you will be away for fall or spring semester, notify the University

During the Internship, you will typically…

• Submit progress reports to the faculty supervisor

• Submit an evaluative final report• Write/present additional

assignments and/or specific on-site projects

• Participate in seminar(s) to exchange ideas and experiences between fellow interns and faculty

Employers expectations? The Internship is a Two-Way Assessment Street

• An internship is a great opportunity to get experience in your field, learn about a company, and get a better understanding of what you want to do after graduation.

• An internship is a working interview. Management sees how you fit into the culture and how well you can do the job. Be cautiously aware of your actions and behavior.

It is a 2 way street

• Be On Time (Early!) • Work Hard • Ask Questions (Tap into resources on your own first) • Meet Deadlines (Beat Them) • Communicate Professionally • Show Confidence (No Arrogance) • Don’t Complain • Learn New Things • Be Humble

Look Professional, Be Professional

• Every place of employment has its own dress code.

• Don't be afraid to ask your manager about the clothing expectations so you can dress for success on the first day.

• At the job: Business casual can often be misunderstood, so avoid jeans, mini-skirts, shorts, leggings, visible undergarments, or flip flops.

Practice First Day Logistics

• Reach out, introduce yourself and take initiative to connect with your manager to fine-tune those first day details. Questions to ask:

-What time are you expected to arrive?

-What will your hours be?

-Where is the office located?

-Where should you park?

-Check your driving route

-When checking in at security, who should you ask for?

-Is there an on-site cafeteria, or should you plan to pack a lunch/eat out?

Be Realistic

• Pay attention to details during training (take notes!) and when completing your new hire paperwork.

• The sooner you get through the boring, but necessary, paperwork and understand your job responsibilities, the sooner you will be empowered to do your best.

Remember , Internships make you

employable!