Internships

What are internships?

Internships are opportunities to work directly in a career field that interests you. Many organizations sponsor formal internships and make them available through on-campus departments and Career Services.  You might also consider creating an internship within a company or field that interests you.

Internships vary according to responsibilities, work time involved (usually 10-15 hours weekly during the semester, up to 40 hours per week in summer), and compensation (hourly pay, class credit, or a stipend are all possibilities).

Internships are valuable, regardless of financial compensation.  Internships allow you to learn firsthand about a career field, occupation, or organization.  Internships help you increase your experience as you look towards entering a given career field.  Internships also build your network of contacts for learning about job openings, other organizations, and the professional climate within a city.

How do I find internships?

Here are some resources to start your search:

• View internship listings posted on ToreroLink
• View internship binders in Career Services (HC 110)
• Speak with the internship coordinator in your major
• Talk to friends, family, and professors
• View popular sites for locating internships

How do I apply for internships?

Respond to an internship announcement according to the directions, which usually suggest sending a resume or calling.  Prepare a resume and cover letter that address the needs the employer has for the internship.  Be sure to comment on how you could contribute to their organization.

A few days after you have sent (mailed, faxed, or e-mailed) your materials, contact the organization to see that they have been received.  Be ready to discuss the following: your interest in the internship, your availability to interview, your availability to start the internship, and your knowledge of the organization.

How can I be successful in an internship?

The short response to this question is "plan, and remain flexible." In terms of planning, here are some elements that you will want to address prior to starting your internship:

• If applicable, understand what requirements must be met to receive academic credit for this experience. Learn more
• Clarify your objectives for this internship. Learn more.
• Meet with your internship supervisor to address key issues. Learn more.
• Follow up on your meeting with a memo or some other document to clarify agreements.
• While interning, go beyond the basics--volunteer for increased responsibilities. Learn more.
• While interning, be professional. Learn more.
• End your internship with a successful conclusion. Learn more.

How do I receive academic credit for an internship?

If you plan to earn academic credit for an internship, please contact your academic advisor prior to starting the internship. Departments vary in terms of whether they offer academic credit for internships and in the requirements that they set for receiving academic credit. 

Please note that USD Career Services cannot grant academic credit for internships.

Objectives for an Internship

Consider two factors as you set objectives for your internship:

1. What is your basic goal for taking on the internship?

2. What needs to happen during the internship for you to know that you have fulfilled your basic goal?

Your basic goal is a general ambition for completing an internship.  For example, you might seek to learn more about a career field, a specific organization or an occupation. Keep the goal simple (clearly stated) and manageable (something that can be achieved within the timeframe of your internship).

With your basic goal in place, think about what needs to happen during the internship in order to fulfill this goal. What sorts of work, people, projects, and settings do you need to experience to feel that you have achieved your basic goal?

For each need that you cite, develop a corresponding objective. If you seek to learn about a career field such as marketing or graphic arts, a corresponding objective might read like one of the following statements.

1. To identify the primary skills that are used in marketing.

2. To clarify the primary responsibilities of graphic artists.

3. To assess the educational backgrounds of marketing professionals who work for bio-tech firms.

As you go through your internship, consider keeping a journal and documenting what insights you gain regarding your objectives. Keep in mind that your objectives may change as your internship continues.

The internship journal can provide a useful record for completing course assignments if you are taking the internship for academic credit. The internship journal can also be useful as you prepare for employment or graduate school interviews. By reviewing the journal, you can recall insights and experiences that will help you strengthen your candidacy.

Meeting with Your Supervisor

Once you have accepted an internship, arrange an initial meeting with your supervisor.  Here are matters that you will likely discuss, which can affect your internship experience:

• Start and stop dates for the internship
• Working hours (and time off if you have previous conflicting commitments that occur during a holiday or school break)
• Dress code and any professional standards for behavior
• Identity verification requirements that the organization may need to complete for the state and federal governments
• If a stipend is provided, how is it provided and when
• Your work space (access via keys or identity badges), support technology (computer, email account, or access to an Intranet--internal computer network), and transportation (parking availability and location of employee parking)
• Expectations: those of your supervisor and those that you may have; time for future interaction to revisit expectations and performance

During this initial meeting, pay close attention to how your supervisor prefers to interact. For example, does she need time to consider requests or does she reply immediately? Learn from your interaction and use this knowledge as you work with your supervisor.

Beyond the Basics

While interning, go beyond the basics by volunteering for increased responsibilities. Combine this approach "to do more" with an effort "to learn more." In the process of increasing your work, increase your knowledge and skills. Here are some ways to gain more as you go beyond the basics:

• Ask questions about the work that you do. For example, how does this work contribute to your division or the organization as a whole? What skills or insights are you gaining? How will completing this project help your performance in carrying out other projects?
• Use the opportunity to do more as a means for meeting other people in your work setting. When you meet others, learn what they do, how they got into their fields, and seek advice about your own career.
• Keep an internship journal. Develop a journal where you track insights, keep notes about projects you have completed and skills that you have gained. If you are taking a class, your internship journal can help in completing assignments. As you develop your resume, consult your journal for insight into the skills that you have gained.
• If you are assembling a portfolio based on your work as an intern, collect approved examples of your work and company literature. These examples often help demonstrate your contributions and can be of use in later employment interviews.

Being Professional

Here are some tips to help strengthen your image as an intern.

• Arrive at work on time and resist the urge to leave early
• When communicating with other employees, be professional. Resist the need to share stories of your personal life. Also avoid getting involved in "gossip" about other employees and griping about the work that you are doing.
• Dress in a professional manner.
• When things get stressful, stay optimistic.
• Develop a support network of co-workers. Include a variety of people in this network--your supervisor, other interns, support staff, and professionals in a variety of other departments.

Successful Conclusions

As you look toward ending your internship, check to make sure that you have completed your projects. Arrange a time to have a final meeting with your supervisor.

Prior to a final meeting with your supervisor, review your internship journal to see the types of projects, skills, and knowledge that you gained. Be ready to discuss these items with your supervisor in an attempt to show how the internship contributes to the organization. During this meeting also request a letter of recommendation from your supervisor.

After your internship, write thank you notes to your supervisor and others with whom you worked closely. Include information such as appreciation for the experience, a synthesis of what you gained, gratitude for any letters of reference that were written for you, and your current contact information.

Follow up with your internship supervisor from time to time, especially after she has been contacted as a reference for your next internship or job. Express your appreciation for her support.

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