Why an Internship?

The primary purpose of the internship is to provide an opportunity for students to work directly in an outside firm or agency, appropriate to the student’s major so that he or she may connect classroom learning to the work environment. 

Further, the internship experience allows the student an opportunity to experience the working world in order to solidify career goals and/or to test possible career choices.  Because academic credit is awarded, academic departments may require additional class meeting times, outside readings, papers, reports, research papers, and/or projects. 

The following are benefits to completing an internship:

• Gain valuable and practical knowledge in a professional discipline

• Increase communication skills in a work environment

• Clarify career interests and goals

• Earn credits towards graduation

• Enhance productive and professional work habits

• See the relevance between classroom learning and the working world

• Explore career opportunities/professional fields of interest

• Learn/develop personal responsibility and commitment

• Develop and expand both personal skills and knowledge base

• Gain confidence by learning about personal strengths and weaknesses

• Test career choices early

• Decide about future schooling

• Gain a competitive edge in the job-market

• Establish a network of contacts

• Develop professional self confidence

Internships & General Education Goals  

GOAL 15: The application of knowledge and skills developed in the student's course of study through completion of an internship, guided field experience, or directed research (one credit). NOTE: Students who complete a required experience as part of their major course of study are exempted from this goal.

Outcomes/Students will:

• Identify specific objectives to be achieved through the completion of the internship, field experience, or research project

• Evaluate their own progress towards those objectives