What is an internship?

An internship is a position which allows a student to gain professional experience in an occupational area they are considering.  Typically the experience has a level of responsibility that allows a student to develop new skills in the field and offers the student training and supervision that facilitates learning.

Do I have to get credit for my internship?
For some majors you are required to have a credit bearing internship.  An experience, however, does not need to have formal academic credit to be considered an internship.  See Credit and Funding for more details on securing credit.

How many hours per week are required for a typical internship?
Internships occurring during the academic year typically require a commitment of 10-20 hours per week.  During the summer internships are often full time.  We encourage a minimum of 10 hours per week to allow for a comprehensive learning experience.

Are internships paid?
Some internships are paid, while others are not.  Internships with larger profit organizations are often paid, while those with small non-profits are less likely to have compensation. In some cases you will receive a one time or monthly stipend for your work.  Often there are grants for unpaid internships. See Credit and Funding for more details on securing funding for internships.

When is the best time to do an internship?
This varies by major and by the type of internship you plan to secure.  Some technical internships will require greater academic knowledge better suited to a Junior or Senior.  Other fields can accommodate students in late Freshman or Sophomore years.  Start early, those students with 2-3 internship experiences during college are often the most productive in securing full time employment quickly upon graduation.