Definition of an Internship

Internships vary greatly from one organization to the next. However, the term traditionally refers to real-world work experiences in which students fill short-term positions within a company or organization to gain hands-on experience and develop career-specific skills. Sponsoring agencies generally work with the student to meet specific learning goals and provide special mentoring or networking opportunities. In exchange, the intern helps the employer meet overall work goals. Internships may be paid or unpaid, with or without academic credit, and are of varying lengths (a semester, a summer, a year, etc.).

Value of Interning

Internships provide an opportunity to gain valuable experience in a career field of interest. It is a great way to gain specific skills and knowledge, as well as make contacts and build confidence. More and more, employers are using work experiences as screening devices to assess the skills and abilities of prospective employees. Employers like to see that you have had some type of related experience before they consider you for a position. Having additional work experience before applying gives you an edge over other candidates in a competitive job market.

Internships also give you the opportunity to test out careers prior to graduation. An internship provides a more accurate picture of what individuals do in certain professions. Upon experiencing a particular job environment and seeing what it entails, you may decide it's not for you. You then have the option to change your career plans and work to find a path that is a better match for your interests and skills.

Interning for Academic Credit

Although the Career Center does not provide academic credit for internships, we meet with students who are seeking guidance in finding internships on their own. We do provide some internship job listings, online assistance, and people resources to assist you with your search.

If you are looking for academic credit for internships, it is best that you check with your academic department to find out if and how you may obtain academic credit for internships.

Cooperative Education offers:

- Flexible work plans
- Available for eligible students in all majors to help you gain PAID, career related experience while in school.
- Career Related opportunities are either PARALLEL (part- time positions in conjunction with school) or ALTERNATING (you alternate between semesters of full- time work and school).
- Positions are usually on going while in school or at least 2 semesters in length, with more than one third resulting in full-time job offers upon graduation.
- PAID internships for one school tern are also available

Eligibility Requirements for Co-op

FamiliesUSA- is a national nonprofit organization, non- partisan oraganization dedicated to the acheivement of high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Working at the national, state, and community levels, they have earned a voice for health care consumers for over 20 years. Internships are in Washington, DC and paid.

Governor’s Intern Program (Sonny Perdue) - This program provides the "best, brightest and most ambitious college and law students with practical professional experience before they enter the working world."

InternshipPrograms.com - Database of internships all over the US and abroad in a variety of fields.

SERVEnet - This site is dedicated to matching volunteers with local nonprofit organizations. Includes polls, an interactive library, and newsgroups.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), in the United States Department of Justice, is seeking qualified candidates for the summer, fall and spring semesters. Application Deadlines: Summer Semester-

The Metropolitan Museum of Art - internships for students and recent graduates interested in careers in art museums. Visit www.metmuseum.org -
type “internship” in the searchbox.

Summer STAR (Student Training And Research) program is designed to provide biomedical research experience for undergraduate students with a desire to pursue a graduate education in biomedical sciences. The is a ten week summer program through MCG.

U.S. Department of State offers an opportunity for you to get an inside look at the different types of positions and responsibilities available in foreign affairs. Some students work in Washington, DC, and others have the opportunity to work at an embassy overseas. Positions are both paid and unpaid, and many are available during spring, summer or fall.

The Washington Internship Program - This is a company based in Washington D.C. that assists college students and college graduates with internships pertaining to various fields.

The Washington Center provides full-time, quality internships in the Washington, D.C. area for college students in all major fields. All program participants are guaranteed a housing space and over 80% of participants receive financial assistance. Interest areas are: government and politics, environment, mass communications, international, nonprofits, law, to name a few.