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Other Frequently Asked Questions About
Internships
Are internships paid?
Yes and no. Some internships will offer compensation and some will not. Some
organizations also offer "perks" such as paid training, attendance at
conferences, or parking reimbursement.
How do I get
"hired" for an internship once I find a good option?
Convince the employer you would make a good intern. Market yourself with your
resume, portfolio, work samples, etc. An internship interview is often like a
job interview. You can get help for either type of interview in the CCLC
Resource Room, which has handouts and can give you personal guidance. Or sign
up for a CCLC workshop
about resumes or interviews.
Is an internship required?
An internship may be required for some majors and not others, so you'll want to
check with your department or major adviser. Either way, internships are
strongly recommended for all CLA students. They're an important way to enhance
your classroom studies (just like a lab, studio work, student teaching, etc).
They also let you explore potential careers and build your professional skills.
Potential employers consider all this important.
I have to work. How can I fit an
internship into my busy schedule?
Try to get a paid internship, or apply for the CLA Undergraduate Internship Grant
for a small stipend. You might also be able to create an internship at your
current workplace if it relates to your career plans. Another option is to do
an unpaid internship during the summer for 10-15 hours per week, and pair it
with a part-time summer job.
Does volunteer work or a service-learning
class count as an internship?
Technically no, though any experience is great experience and can be used on
your resume. Volunteer positions sometimes involve less substantive work or
less time commitment. If you volunteer somewhere, be sure you will be learning
about the organization, the clients the organization serves, and the ways in which
the full-time staff work. The Career and Community
Learning Center
offers advising about volunteering
in the Twin Cities, and how to find an organization that's a good fit for
you.
Can I do an internship in another country?
Yes! Employers place a very high value on any international experience. If you
can do an internship in combination with a study abroad program, by all means
do it! The Learning Abroad Center has
information about programs that combine study and experience. International
internships often resemble domestic opportunities.
Do I have to do an internship for credit?
Definitely not. Most students do an internship solely for the benefit of the
experience and the skills gained. This type of internship sometimes allows for
more flexibility in hours and scheduling, and may allow you to have the
internship longer.
If I want to earn credit for an
internship, what are my options?
To earn credit for your internship, you need to have an academic component to
your experience. You have several options from which to choose:- Departmental
internship or field-work courses
(Check with your academic adviser to see if there are courses that match
your needs). - Directed
Study with a CLA faculty member
(You'll work independently with an instructor for credit, or add credits
to a class being taken the same semester as the internship). Students are
responsible for finding their own directed study faculty adviser. For
information and application forms, stop by the Career and Community Learning
Center in 135 Johnston Hall. - Do
an internship through a HECUA
program. These are 16-credit, semester-long programs that include
classroom studies, field work, and an internship. Each focuses on a key
social issue. There are 3 HECUA programs in the Twin Cities: City Arts,
Environmental Sustainability, and Metro Urban Studies Term.
How do I find a worthwhile internship
experience and avoid being a "go-fer?"
To ensure that your internship includes responsibility and substantial work
assignments, first pick a site that you feel enthusiastic about. Take
initiative for what you want to learn and negotiate a learning contract with
your site supervisor to formalize your commitment to that learning. Monitor the
contract throughout your internship. (But remember, some support tasks such as
filing, faxing, etc. are a part of any experience whether you're an intern, or
a full-time professional.)
What about training? Will I receive any?
Some organizations will offer very formal training and orientation programs for
interns, and some will not. You are partly responsible for making the
experience what you want it to be. If you feel you need more training or
direction than you're being given, seek out people and resources that can help.
But do be respectful of your supervisor's schedule. Consider scheduling a
weekly meeting to check in about the internship.
Could my internship become a job after I graduate?
Many employers use internships to assess the abilities of potential job
candidates. A significant number of employers hire their interns, and
most employers prefer job candidates who've had internship experience.
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