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The National Society for Experiential Education defines an internship as "a carefully monitored work or volunteer experience in which an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what he or she is learning throughout the experience." Internships are different from any short-term jobs or volunteer experiences in that they are specifically tied to the intern's career interests and the intern brings an intentional learning agenda to the experience. Rather than simply performing a set of tasks for an employer, an intern (often in collaboration with a faculty member, internship coordinator, or employer) develops specific learning objectives prior to beginning the internship, and the employer makes a commitment to meet those objectives.
Why should I complete an internship?Students complete internships for a variety of reasons: to remain competitive in the job market, to determine their interest or skill level in a field, for the opportunity to work with the leaders of their field, or to have a more meaningful experience than a typical part-time or seasonal job. In addition to the obvious benefits for those who are going directly to the job market after graduation, many graduate schools also look very favorably on candidates who have significant practical experience that supports their academic focus. Indeed, some graduate programs, such as counseling or business, will only consider candidates who have "real-life" work experience as demonstrated by professional positions or a series of internships.
Can I get paid for doing an internship?Internships can be either paid or unpaid. In some fields, particularly in non-profit work, internships are frequently unpaid, or offer a small stipend to cover living expenses. You may consider taking a part-time job along with your internship in order to earn money for school. There are also some grants or fellowships that may be available to support an internship in a non-profit organization. Many internships, however, are paid. In fact, in some areas, such as technology, internships can pay very well! These tend to be the more competitive internships, so starting your search early on will improve your chances of gaining a paid internship.
Use the links on the left of your screen to navigate the Internship pages.
