Internship Program

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

What Is An Internship?

An internship is an intensive, responsible work experience related to the student's previous academic studies and career or general goals.  It is also an opportunity to gain practical experience in the student's major field of study and apply knowledge gained in the classroom.  It will also give the student a chance to find out if a particular field is right for them.  It is 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 a professional

When Can A Student Enroll In An Internship?

A student is eligible for an internship when they have achieved sophomore standing or have completed two semesters at Wilmington College.  Students must be in good academic standing at the time the internship is approved.

How Many Credits Can A Student Earn?

Between one and six credits can be earned through an internship.  Students may include up to 12 internship credits in their Wilmington degree program.  Most internships last for one semester.  Students 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.  For example the contact hours required are as follows:

1credit = 42 contact hours

2 credits = 84 contact hours

3 credits = 126 contact hours

4 credits = 168 contact hours

5 credits = 210 contact hours

What Does An Internship Cost?

Tuition for an internship is the same as it is for other credits at Wilmington.  Also, the same add/drop deadlines apply.

How Does A Student Arrange An Internship?

The student contacts the Career Services Office and their faculty advisor to discuss internship goals and to learn what opportunities are available.  The Career Services Office assists them with preparing their cover letter and resume in preparation for contacting potential internship employers.  With assistance the student then determines the appropriate employers that best meet their goals and sends their application materials to them.

Securing an internship can take several months so students should begin this process at least 4 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 the student must undergo.  If the employer agrees to accept the student as their intern then they 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 them.  In this section the supervisor will detail the student's 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 student's 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 signatures of the student, 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.

How Will The Internship Be Evaluated?

Throughout the internship the student is required to keep a journal.  The journal will be evaluated by the student's 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 work.  These forms are faxed to the site supervisor when the student submits their 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.

What Is  The Content Of The Weekly Journal?

The student's 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:

§         Description of activities and duties

§         Skills, concepts and attitudes learned

§         Application of classroom learning

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 their 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 is applicable.

Two copies of the journal are due in the Resource Center at mid-term and at the end of the term.  The due dates are on the contract.

What Are The Final Paper Requirements?

If the student and their faculty sponsor have opted for the final paper,  two copies of it are due at the Resource Center by the due date on the contract.  The paper should include the following sections:

§         Description of the internship – what, when, with whom and where

§         List of objectives for the internship and how the student met those objectives

§         Description of the activities, projects and duties

§         Detailed explanation of the classroom knowledge that was applied

§         Answer to the questions listed on the contract

§         Description of the effects of this internship on the student's career choice

The paper will be graded on content, grammar, sentence structure and organization.   

What Are The Requirements For The Final Professional Presentation?

If the student and their faculty sponsor have agreed that they will do a professional presentation for the final project, it should include the following sections:

§         History of the company/organization

§         Description of activities, projects and duties

§         Description of the skills, knowledge and attitudes acquired

§         Explanation of the classroom knowledge that has been applied

§         Reasons other students should intern with this employer

The student may invite their site supervisor to this presentation but they are not required to be present.  The contract will state the date, time and location for the final presentation.  

How Can I Help The Student Have a Successful Internship Experience?

Help them to understand what will be expected of them  during the internship.  Be clear about what hours you expect them to work and what tasks they will perform.  Explain the organizational climate to them including how the employees dress and how they interact with one another.  Help them to "fit in."  Understand that students are there to learn.   Accept that they will make mistakes and help them to learn from them.  Communicate regularly with your student and to th faculty sponsor.