Life Calling

What is an internship?

An internship is a supervised work experience related to a student’s major or overall career goal. The internship can be part time or full time, paid or unpaid, but the integral piece to an internship experience is that a student is doing meaningful work over a consistent period of time. Students can take part in an internship experience in conjunction with an academic semester-long class or during the summer. Typically students should be of junior or senior standing to participate in an internship.

What are the benefits?

Prior to graduation students should complement their academic preparation by strategically pursuing experiential learning opportunities. This can include study abroad, community service, on-campus leadership roles, membership in pre-professional organizations, and internships. Internships are a direct supplement to in-class learning by providing an environment for out-of-class application. In addition, internships allow you to:

Explore and clarify your career goals
Network with professionals within your field of interest and gain valuable contacts for future career pursuits
Enhance marketability after graduation by gaining practical work experience
Bridge theoretical class learning and a practical work environment in order to understand the relevance of your coursework
Improve your professional maturity and self-confidence
Increase the possibility of a higher starting salary after graduation. Graduates with an internship experience typically received higher starting salaries than graduates without an internship experience (2005 Experiential Education Survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers)

How do I get involved?

Select Internship Program Overview to view the next steps to acquiring an internship.