Internships

Frequently Asked Questions about Internships

Why should I consider an internship?

Learn more about your field
Build new skills while improving on your existing strengths
Grow personally and professionally
Clarify your occupational goals
Add "real world" experience to your resume
Gain valuable networking contacts in the field
Acquire letters of recommendation from your internship supervisors
Increase your employment opportunities following graduation
Discover your likes/dislikes in the work place
Apply classroom theory in a practical setting
Earn credit towards your degree

How can I find out if I'm eligible to do an internship?

Check the Academic Catalog to see if an internship course is listed for your major. Read the course description for that internship to see if you meet the prerequisites.

Do I have to take an internship within my major or can it be in an area I might be interested in outside of my major?

The internship is an upper-level course in your major.

Who is in charge of my internship?

The Bagley Center partners with the departments of Business, Education, English Writing, Geography, Graphic Design, Music, Theatre, and Dance, and the Women’s Studies Council to provide credit bearing experiential courses for their students. Students in these disciplines must come to our Center for information regarding an internship.

Do I get credits or not? …Do I get a letter grade? …What's the cost?

Check the internship course listing for your major in your academic catalog to determine the number of credits assigned to the course. Sometimes, there is a range of eligible credit. In those cases, you will need to work with your instructor in The Bagley Center to determine the number of credits that may be appropriate for you given the length of the semester. You may benefit from having a curriculum review done by the Undergraduate Advising Center.
In addition to the number of credits, the course description will also state whether the course is letter- graded or evaluated on a Pass/No Pass basis.
The tuition for the internship course is the same per credit cost as any course.

Can I earn credit for an internship that I've already done?

You can only receive internship credit for the semester in which you are enrolled in the course.

How do I enroll for an internship course?

Stop by the Bagley Center to set up an initial appointment for an Intake Interview. Prior to the enrollment deadline for these internship courses, you must meet all departmental requirements and procedures and have completed an intake interview at the Bagley Center. Requirements and procedures to be completed prior to enrollment deadline and completion of intake interview.

Make sure you have met with any departmental requirements. (For example, Graphic Design students need to make an appointment to fill out an Intent to Intern form with the faculty member to obtain his signature of approval. Students need to bring these forms to the Bagley Center when making their Intake Interview Appointment along with the two forms linked below: Conditions and Responsibilities and the Self-Assessment Form.

For all disciplines listed above, please print out and complete the following documents which are located on The Bagley Center website under "Internship/Forms" in the sidebar.

You must bring the following signed forms with you to the intake appointment. If you do not have the form with you when you arrive, you will not be allowed to meet for your initial intake appointment.

You must also bring a copy of your professional resume (a resume that is in its final form). If you need help with your resume stop by the Bagley Center Monday - Fridayi, 8am - 4 pm (no appointment necessary). Bring a typed draft of your resume and an advisor will critique your resume.

If you do not have the forms and a copy of your resume with you when you arrive, you will not be allowed to meet for your initial intake appointment.

Conditions and Responsibilities form ( 32.9 Kb)

Self-Assessment form ( 32.3 Kb)

Do I find the internship site myself or does someone help me? How long will it take?

The internship instructors at The Bagley Center find the internship site for you, supervise the internship experience, and grade the internship. Set up an appointment with the Director to begin the process of finding a valuable experience for you.
The timeline for placing interns varies. Early contact with The Bagley Center is advantageous as it may take a considerable amount of time to find a placement site for you depending upon your geographic preference, housing availability, and the employer's need or availability of the internship opportunity.

Will I need to interview for an internship?

The employer will want to interview you before they make a final decision on whether to accept you as an intern within their organization. Internships are not guaranteed. You will also need a resume and, depending upon your major, a portfolio (if you need assistance with your resume or portfolio, visit an instructor at The Bagley Center). After carefully crafting your desired type of site, your instructor will begin the placement process. Your resume will be forwarded to one or more potential sites. Should any of the employers indicate an interest in interviewing you, the instructor will visit the site. After the site has been approved, you will call to set up a mutually agreeable time for an appointment (or interview) at the site. You should bring a copy of your resume and your portfolio (if applicable) to your appointment with the potential site supervisor.

How many hours per week should I plan to spend at the internship site? How long do internships last?

You need to be available at least 2-3 full days per week, and preferably more, for your internship. It has been our experience that the student intern who is not a consistent employee for a large block of time does not integrate as well with the organization, does not receive the kinds of projects that they can carry to completion, does not gain exposure to the full range of activities at the site, and does not participate as fully in the strategic decision making process of the organization.
(The national average is approximately 40 hours per credit (i.e. 3 credits equal about 120 hours.) The duration of the internship will depend on the number of credits you are registered for, how many days per week you are available and the needs of the organization.

Will I get paid during my internship?

Probably not.

Are the internships included as experience on my resume?

Yes! The internship provides related experience in your field and will definitely attract the employer's attention when resumes are reviewed. Employers have rated related experience as one of the highest factors that contributes to their decision to hire candidates for full-time career positions. This experience will likely drive your interviewing conversation with your future employer.

What are the deadlines?

Registration Deadlines: Prerequisites must be met and permission of the Bagley Center Instructor is required. The deadline is stated in the Schedule of Classes . Deadline is at the end of initial registration period. Some majors have an earlier deadline to allow time for students to meet with the discipline advisor and to file an Intent to Intern. Be sure you are within the deadline for your internship discipline.

For all other majors in departments not listed above, please see the internship instructor for that specific academic department.