1. What is an internship?

It is an on-site learning experience in a work setting that is related to your personal interests and career goals. It is planned in cooperation with an IUSB faculty member, the company/business where the internship will take place, and you. You are eligible to receive academic credit for an internship with approval from your academic advisor. The internship credit and the grade you receive will be determined by the department approving the internship.

2. Why should I consider doing an internship?

An internship will provide a unique opportunity to learn while working in a specific career field and allow you to test your skills and interests in that field. It can help you see, while you are still a student, how your specialized skills and classroom theory apply in a work setting. An internship will tell you much about your own personal aptitudes and preferences. It will give you that hard-to-come-by prerequisite for many kinds of employment: "documented experience." An internship will also give you practice in some valuable job-hunting and networking skills, such as setting up an interview and cooperating with your work supervisor and fellow workers. Through this experience you will make some useful contacts and possibly references for future employment.

3. Who may do an internship?

Typically the junior year is a good time to apply for and obtain an internship. You have much of your core course work completed and also have some specialized classes in your major. Seniors may also benefit from additional internship experiences. Occasionally, sophomores undertake internships. All students, however, should first consult with their academic advisors to decide when is the best time to begin an internship. All students are invited and encouraged to come to the Office of Career & Graduate School Planning & Placement or to your major department to discuss long-range planning for internships.

4. When can I do an internship?

Internships can usually be done during any semester which include Fall, Spring and/or summer semesters. However, your academic department and your internship site will determine the internship availability and a timeline.

5. How early should I begin planning an internship?

Each company, agency or business will have individual time tables. However, the earlier you begin planning your internship, the more options you may have. Some companies have formalized internship programs while others utilize interns on an as-needed basis. The more competitive internships often have early application procedures. Begin researching your options now!

6. How many credits can I receive for an internship?

Internship credit will be based upon the number of hours spent and the tasks and experience to be gained during the internship. Your academic advisor and you will determine the number of credits to be received.

7. Can my internship be counted towards my major?

Internship credit awarded at IUSB may be part of the student's academic experience and must be approved through the student's major department.

8. Is there a tuition charge for internships?

Those students who will be receiving credit for internships must have a course number assigned to the internship, register and pay the per-credit hour fees for the internship.

9. Are internships paid?

Some internships will be paid internships and others will not. The organization providing the internship determines whether or not an intern will be paid. There are some internships where it is possible to receive both payment and credit. There is also the possibility that students may not be able to receive academic credit or payment for an internship. Students need to assess the value of the experience to decide if the internship will provide them with valuable experience. Please remember what is most important: EXPERIENCE IS EXPERIENCE whether it is for pay, credit or possibly volunteer.

10. How can I find an internship?

IUSB students usually find internships the following ways:

• Through the resources available in the Career Education Library, Administration Building, Room 138
• Through personal contacts and other networking resources
• Internships posted with the Career Services Office
• Internship links on the web
• Internships developed and obtained through the student's academic department:
  Professors within academic departments have many contacts and are up to date on the trends of the market in their area of expertise. Professors belong to professional organizations and receive a good deal of information about internship possibilities. Some departments have formalized internship programs and will work with those students who are majoring in their department to apply for and obtain internships. Those students whose majors do not have a formalized internship program or do not consider internships as a part of the curriculum may still obtain experience through volunteer work or a paid part-time position. Students need to first talk with their academic departments and then contact the Career Services Office if an internship through the department is not available.
• Internships developed by students:
  Students may begin identifying internships on their own by contacting former employers, relatives, neighbors and friends. Students may also want to consider having an informational interview with a professional who is working in the students' area of interest. Other resources are IUSB alumni, Chamber of Commerce directories and non-profit agency resource books. Please remember: Your academic department must approve your internship site and internship duties to receive academic credit.

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