An internship is an intensive, responsible work experience related to the student's previous academic studies and career or general goals. It is an opportunity to gain practical experience in their major field of study and to apply knowledge gained in the classroom. It gives the student a chance to find out if a particular field is right for them. It is also a way to earn credits outside of the classroom. Lastly, it is an excellent resume builder and provides an opportunity for students to make useful contacts in their professional field.
A student is eligible for an internship when they have achieved sophomore standing or have completed two semesters at Wilmington College. A student must be in good academic standing at the time the internship is approved.
Between one and six credits can be earned through an internship. A student may include up to 12 internship credits in their Wilmington degree program. Most internships last for one semester. A student may work for shorter periods of time, such as school vacations. Internships are part-time during the academic year, and may be full or part-time during breaks. The majority of the work must be completed during the semester in which the credit is given. For each academic credit earned the student must work 42 contact hours. The contact hours required are as follows:
1 credit = 42 contact hours
2 credits = 84 contact hours
3 credits = 126 contact hours
4 credits = 168 contact hours
5 credits = 210 contact hours
6 credits = 252 contact hours
Tuition for an internship is the same as it is for other credits at Wilmington College. Also, the same add/drop deadlines apply.
A student can visit the Career Services Office and/or their faculty advisor to discuss their internship goals and to learn what opportunities are available. The Career Services Office will assist students with preparing their cover letters and resumes in preparation for contacting potential internship employers. With assistance the student will then determine the appropriate employers that best meet their goals and send their application materials to them.
Securing an internship can take several months so students should begin this process at least four months before they wish to intern. Some internships are very competitive so multiple sites should be targeted to ensure securing one.
The employer will usually have an interviewing process which candidates must undergo. If the employer agrees to accept a student as their intern then the student must obtain an internship contract from the Career Services Office. This contract has four parts. The first section requires the student to state their learning objectives for the internship. The second part must be completed by the site supervisor who is the person at the internship site who will supervise the student. In this section the supervisor will detail the responsibilities including daily activities and special projects. The third part must be completed by the student's faculty sponsor who must be a full time faculty member in the department in which the student is obtaining the credit. This section indicates what type of credits and the number of credits the student will earn for the internship. It also includes the due dates for the mid-term journal and whether the student will do a final paper or presentation and the due date. This section also may include additional questions that the student must address in their final paper or presentation. The last section requires the student's signature and the signatures of the site supervisor, the faculty sponsor, the faculty advisor and the Director of Career Services. Once the contract is complete it must be submitted to the Career Services Office.
After the Career Services Office has the contract, the director will clear the student to register for the internship. The faculty advisor must also clear the student to register for classes for the term during which the student will be participating in the internship. After the student is cleared they must register for the appropriate type and number of internship credits.
Throughout the internship the student is required to keep a journal. The journal will be evaluated by the faculty sponsor at mid-term, and at the end of the experience.
The student is also required to submit either a 10-12 page written report on the experience or present a ten minute professional presentation at the end of the semester. The faculty sponsor will evaluate the content and quality of the paper or presentation.
The site supervisor also submits midterm and final evaluation forms, indicating the quality of the student's work. These forms are faxed to the site supervisor when the student submits the contract to the Career Services Office.
If all evaluation materials are approved, a grade of "credit" (not a letter grade) will be entered in the student's transcript.
The journal must be typed and consist of weekly entries. The student should note at the beginning of each entry the date and the hours worked. Each entry should include the following:
If the student is doing repetitious work, they should thoroughly explain the duties the first time; then refer to that entry in subsequent entries. They do not need to repeat the entry each time they do the same activity.
When the student is describing the application of classroom learning, they should think broadly about their education, not just about the classes in their major. Perhaps they have learned something in classes outside of their major that are applicable.
Two copies of the journal are due in the Student Resource Center at mid-term and at the end of the term. The due date is noted on the contract.
If the student and their faculty sponsor have opted for the final paper, two copies of it are to be received by the Student Resource Center by the due date on the contract. The paper should include the following sections:
If the student and their faculty sponsor have agreed that the student will do a professional presentation for the final project, it should include the following sections:
The site supervisor should communicate clearly and regularly to the student so they understand what is expected of them during the internship. They should know what hours they are to work and what tasks they will perform. The site supervisor should take time to explain the organizational climate and to point out how the employees dress and interact with one another. The supervisor should encourage the student to do their best to "fit in." The student is there to learn and the supervisor should understand that they will make mistakes and that they should learn from them. Encourage the student to be open to all new experiences.
For More Information Contact:
Barbara Kaplan
Director of Career Services
Pyle Center Box 1253
Wilmington College
Wilmington, Ohio 45177
937-382-6661 Ext. 299
Barbara_kaplan@wilmington.edu