Internships have become a significant piece of a college student's education. Internships are useful to all students deciding on a career direction or entering the job market, and especially to the Liberal Arts major.

Increasingly, employers are looking for employees with experience. The question graduating college students ask is: "If an employer wants experienced people, how can I gain experience if someone won't hire me?" Planning for internships and related experiences will give you that "hands-on" work-related opportunity that many employers require.

An internship can assist you in deciding a number of wants and needs regarding your career. An internship can help you include certain careers and eliminate others. An internship assists you in gathering information regarding the following:

Employers are looking for people with defined goals. Your internship experience will clarify and demonstrate to an employer that your job search has focus and direction.

There are many opportunities for interns. Resources are available on the Internet and at the Career Crossings Office.

Hopefully, this information will take away some of the mystery of identifying and applying for internships. The key to finding an internship that will provide the type of experience you are looking for is starting early.

Please contact the Career Crossings Office for further assistance or speak with your academic advisor.

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Top 10 FAQ's

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 a Saint Mary's College faculty member, the company/business where the internship will take place, and you. You are eligible to receive academic credit for an internship with permission from your major academic department. Your eligibility for credit and the grade you receive will be determined by the department approving the internship credit.

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 an undergraduate, the value of your liberal arts studies, your specialized skills and how classroom theory applies in a work setting. An internship will tell you 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 co-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 had 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 Career Crossings Office in Spes Unica Hall or to your major department to discuss long-range planning for internships.

4. When Can I Do An Internship?
Fall and Spring semesters and/or during the summer.

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 an internship 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 on the number of hours spent and the tasks and experiences 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 Saint Mary's College must be a part of the student's academic major 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 an internship most often include the credit(s) as a part of the students full-time tuition charge. Please contact your department chair, academic advisor or the Registrar to determine specifics.

9. Are Internships Paid? Saint Mary's College policy states that a student cannot receive payment and receive academic credit. Companies will vary on their policies for compensating interns. The organization providing the internship determines whether or not an intern will be paid. Your major department will ask you to choose between being paid and earning credit. 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? Saint Mary's College students usually find internships in the following ways:

Arranging an Internship

The following checklist outlines a series of steps to take in arranging an internship. Planning should begin at least one semester in advance.

STEP 1
Research the internship placement possibilities available in the Career Crossings Office. These include the internship listings, resource books and your Internet search on internships. Meet with your academic advisor or a Career Counselor in the Career Crossings office for ideas and possible placements.

STEP 2
Prepare a resume and cover letter. Resume workshops are available or you may make an appointment at the Career Crossings Office. There are also guide books available for writing resumes and cover letters in the Career Crossings Office. However, it is recommended that a workshop be attended as each resume and cover letter is unique to you and the internship you are seeking.

STEP 3
Apply for the internship (it is best to apply to at least three organizations) by sending a letter (see Letter of Application for an Internship) and a resume to the organization. Make contact a week to ten days later. Follow up with a phone call to discuss the internship or arrange an interview if necessary. Note: organizations do not want to receive a phone call from a student they do not know. They want and expect to receive a letter and resume before a phone call.

STEP 4
Interviewing for your internship. Some internships will require an interview. Others may award internships from the application procedure. If you are to be interviewed for an internship, preparation for questions asked is key to being offered an internship. Workshops are offered to help prepare you for the interviewing process. Check our workshop schedule for Interviewing Skills workshop dates.

STEP 5
Seek your Advisor in the department giving credit for the internship once you have been accepted by an organization. It is wise to be in contact with your department throughout this process. If your professor is aware of your application procedures, he/she can be helpful in the application process. Also, by having departmental support, you can avoid unpleasant surprises such as not having the internship approved for credit.

STEP 6
Work with your professor to develop goals for the internships. Remember: your department is awarding the credit and specific tasks and goals must be completed as prescribed by the department.

STEP 7
Write a letter of acceptance or refusal for an internship. Sample letters are available.

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