What is an Internship?

Internships are typically one-time work or service experiences related to a students major or career goal. The internship plan generally involves a student working in a professional setting under the supervision and monitoring of practicing professionals. Internships can be paid or unpaid, and the student may or may not receive academic credit for performing the internship.

Why should I do an internship and what are the benefits?

Employers seek candidates with experience. An internship can provide hands on experience in an area related to your major or career choice. According to a 2006 survey of employers conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 62.5 percent of their college hires came to them with internship experience. This suggests that employers more so ask the question of “Where did you complete your internship?” versus “Did you complete an internship?”

Benefits:

• Acquire practical and meaningful work experience.
• Identify and/or assess interests, skills and desired career path.
• Determine whether interests match skills.
• Learn day-to-day business functions.
• Increase marketability and value to employers.

How do I qualify for an internship?

Internships can be obtained for academic credit and for zero academic credit. Based on your academic major and the number of credits you already have completed will help you to determine whether or not you’d like to complete an internship for academic credit. According to a 2006 survey of employers conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, most students choose to complete internships NOT for academic credit.

Credit:

Qualifications to receive academic credit for your internship vary by academic department. Most departments require you to be at least of sophomore standing with grade point average stipulations. Please consult your academic department for specific qualifications.

Non-Academic Credit:

What if I locate an internship on my own?

You are able and encouraged to locate and begin to arrange for your own internship. A career counselor can be of assistance for identifying possible organizations and determining your professional approach. An internship located on your own should be approved by your academic department to receive academic credit. Notify Career Services of your internship opportunity by completing the Internship Report Form.

Internship Forms

Credit Earning Internship Process

If you would like to receive academic credit, your internship opportunity should be approved by your academic department before you begin working. Your department will assign a faculty member to supervise your internship experience and related academic requirements.

How to arrange for an academic credit internship:

Students may coordinate their internship for academic credit through their respective academic department. Please consult the Academic Department Internship Contacts for the name and contact information for the person in your department

Who pays:

Most times, you pay to receive academic credit for your internship. There are some instances where an employer may include the cost of your academic credit in the compensation package.

How many credits:

Depending on the internship and department, you could typically receive anywhere from 1-3 credits per semester. Please consult your Academic Department Internship Contact.

Non-Academic Credit Internship Process

• Student Responsibilities

  • Meet with a Career Counselor or attend an Internship Information Session
  • Apply for any open internship positions through JobZone, IndianaINTERN.net or by creating an original opportunity with the assistance of Career Services
  • Complete an Internship Report Form and submit to Career Services
  • Maintain appropriate work hours and performance as agreed upon by supervisor
  • Connect with Career Services via student appointment at least once during your internship experience
  Complete an end of the semester evaluation and submit to Career Services with logged work hours
• Employer/Intern Supervisor Responsibilities
• Develop an appropriate internship description including detailed job responsibilities and qualifications
• Provide proper training and supervision to ensure intern success
• Establish relevant work assignments related to a student’s major or career goals
• Complete an end-of-semester intern performance evaluation, discuss with the intern, and submit to Career Services (see attached)

 

Career Services Responsibilities

• Review internship description to ensure relevance and assist employer in posting on JobZone
• Provide a resume referral when requested
• Coordinate campus interviews when requested
• Maintain record of internship by reviewing the internship report form and student/employer evaluations
• Serve as a resource to both the student and intern supervisor

How to arrange for a non-credit academic internship:

1. Schedule an appointment with a career counselor or visit Career Services Express Lanes: Drop-in Resume Critique hours on Wednesday from 11:00am-1:00pm & Thursday 12:00noon - 2:00pm to have your resume and cover letter reviewed.

2. Register on JobZone and IndianaINTERN to view local and state internship postings. Or, schedule an appointment with a career counselor to discuss other internship opportunities and programs and to receive assistance in creating a unique internship.

3. Apply for internships according to application procedures and follow-up on every possible lead.

4. Receive interview assistance from a career counselor if need be, and prepare for and engage in any job interviews.

5. Evaluate any internship offers and consult a career counselor if need be.

7.Complete and submit a semester internship site evaluation as well as a log of your work hours at the conclusion of each academic semester.

What if I have a problem with my internship?

Problems during an internship occasionally occur. Please don't hesitate to contact the Internship Program regarding any concerns you may have about your internship experience. Remember, Career Services does not endorse specific internship positions

Internships: International Students? 

As an international IPFW student, you are eligible for degree-related work off-campus (Curricular Practical Training), or what we commonly call an internship. The Office of Career Services coordinates student internships. In order to qualify, you must be working toward an IU/PU degree, and an internship must relate to your academic area of study.

Curricular Practical Training Requirements:

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an employment option available to F-1 Visa status students where the practical training employment is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum or academic program. 

Employment for 20 hours or less per week while you are enrolled in classes is considered part-time CPT. There is no limit to how long you can work as part-time CPT status.

Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time CPT. There is no limit to how long you can work as full-time CPT status, however, if you participate in 12 months or more of CPT, it may affect your months of Optional Practical Training (OPT- full-time employment after graduation)

*Students should use caution when choosing to work full-time for more than 12 months- this can put OPT at risk. For more information, check with Connell Nelson in International Student Services

Searching for an Internship

Meet with a career counselor in Career Services to receive information about available internships.

Register and search for positions on JobZone, IPFW’s free job database for full-time degreed and internship positions.

Register and search for positions on IndianaINTERN, Indiana’s free internship posting database. www.indianaintern.net

Visit the Co-Op office if your respective major is served by the Co-Op office and you meet specific academic requirements.

Receiving an Internship for Academic Credit

• Search for an internship
• Meet with your faculty internship advisor (or the Co-Op office in the case of Business majors) to determine whether or not your internship opportunity can be counted for academic credit.
• Obtain a letter from the faculty member who will supervise your internship. The letter should state:
• The specific internship opportunity
• The specific elective course it satisfies
• The minimum requirements to complete the internship
• A reasonable period of time needed to complete the internship (e.g., number of credits and duration of internship)
• Attach the job description
• Submit letter to Connell Nelson in International Student Services as early as 90 days but no less than 10 days before you wish to begin employment

Receiving an Internship NOT for Academic Credit

• Search for an internship.
• Obtain a letter from a career counselor in Career Services and submit the letter to International Student Services. The letter should state:
• The specific internship opportunity
• How the internship was obtained (e.g., specific job posting database)
• Attach the job description
• The letter should be submit to International Student Services as early as 90 days but no less than 10 days before you wish to begin employment.

Additional Internship Resources

• IndianaIntern.net
• Internship
• Internshipprograms
• US Department of Agriculture
• US Department of Commerce
• US Department of Education
• US Department of Engergy
• US Department of Health & Human Services
• US Department of State
• EEOC
• FBI