1. The student should attend an internship information session to discuss procedures and her resume, and to receive an approval card.  The approval card must be completed by the student, signed by the appropriate faculty director, and submitted to Career Services by the appropriate deadline. 

2. The student should schedule an appointment with the intern coordinator at Career Services to turn in the approval card, discuss her research of potential internship sites, and review the rough draft of her resume. The resume is supplied to the site, so it should be as professional as possible.  As soon as the resume is completed, the intern coordinator will send the information to the requested placement site. 

3. When the intern coordinator has located an acceptable placement which is interested in hosting the student, the student will be notified. The student will then arrange a meeting with the potential agency supervisor to discuss the content, work schedule and starting/ending dates of the internship.

4. After the student and agency supervisor have met and agreed upon the internship, the student will complete a learning agreement . The student will also complete an application form and turn it into the Registrar in order to register for the internship.

5. The student should then make an appointment with the faculty director to discuss projected responsibilities and objectives for the learning agreement. The learning agreement must be completed and on file in the Office of Career Services prior to beginning the internship.

6. The agency supervisor is sent an Internship Agreement which stipulates the orientation, Responsibilities, and supervision intended by the agency for the intern.

7. Finally, all FIRST TIME interns are required to attend an internship orientation sponsored by the Office of Career Services prior to starting the internship.

HOW TO WRITE A LEARNING AGREEMENT

The premise of experiential education is that experience teaches. However, to receive credit, you must be able to articulate what you hope to learn. The learning agreement sets forth the learning objectives of the student and the credit arrangements for the internship. It is simply a way for you to express your expectations of the internship to your faculty director and agency supervisor. Your supervisor will use this agreement to plan your activities and responsibilities.

There are many ways to approach a learning agreement. In your proposal, address the following concerns:

1. What do you want to learn? What questions do you have going into the internship that you want answered? Apply these questions to three areas: field (subject area), professional (personnel, operations) and personal (your aptitude for the field). 

2 What resources will help you meet your objectives? Refer to people, places and things (books, journals, associations, etc.). 

3. What strategies or tasks will help you meet your objectives? Are the assignments directed toward specific goals for the internship? You may want to consider writing, reading, observation, performance, special projects, training, informational interviews, related workshops, and other professional activities.

4. What will your faculty director use to calculate your grade for the internship? They will use the supervisor's evaluation, your self-assessment, your journal, portfolio, bibliographies, supplementary readings, and samples of your work. Be sure to include due dates.

RESUMES FOR INTERNSHIPS

A resume is NOT everything that you have ever done. An internship resume highlights your academic preparation, activities and, if applicable, related experience. 

 Individual taste determines the format of each resume, but all resumes should be error-free, organized, consistent and honest.

SELECTING AN APPROPRIATE PLACEMENT

1. Review the list of placements in the Career Services database on the Career Services web site.

2. Read about national internships as listed in published directories within the Career Services office.

3. Read evaluations of the placement from prior interns (if available) that are kept in the Office of Career Services.

4. Research company web sites for information regarding potential internship programs.

5. Discuss potential placements with your faculty director and the intern coordinator at Career Services.

6. Ask questions in your initial meeting with the potential agency supervisor concerning: responsibilities, deadlines, stress, work space, flexibility of projects, etc. 

MEETING THE AGENCY SUPERVISOR

Being nervous at the first meeting with your agency supervisor is normal; in fact, a little extra adrenaline often makes you perform better. However, there are some things to help you make the best impression:

1. Dress appropriately. Professional clothing is a must: no short skirts, no textured hose, no super high heels, no see-through blouses, no large or "loud" jewelry.

2. Do NOT wear perfume. Many people are allergic to perfumes. Besides, the office is not the place to wear perfume. 

3. Take only what you will need during the interview. Carrying a bulky purse, a briefcase or notebook, and in some cases, a portfolio makes you look overburdened and unorganized. You should carry a small notebook in case you need to write down information.

4. Before you go to the meeting, look at a calendar and decide upon the best starting/ending dates and hours for you. If you know you will need to be absent from the internship on a certain date or time, keep that time in mind to notify the supervisor.

5. Assume a formal demeanor. Sit straight, maintain eye contact, and shake hands if offered.

6. Listen carefully. Ask questions if you do not understand what is being described. Asking questions is the best way to discover if the agency fits your expectations for the internship.

7. Discuss and agree upon a starting date, time and work schedule.

8. Be certain to arrive on time or five minutes early for your interview.

8. Have questions! Below is a list of possible questions that you may ask:



QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU FIND OUT ABOUT A POTENTIAL PLACEMENT

1. What is the general role and status of interns at the site?
2. What would your tasks and duties be? What day-to-day assignments can you expect?
3. Does the site supervisor have a written job description of the position?
4. What hours would you be working? (is overtime required)
5. Does the position require any special skills or education (course work)?
6. Who would be your immediate supervisor and how closely would you be supervised? (Try to meet this person).
7. Where does the department in which you will be assigned fit into the overall structure of the organization?
8. What is the content of the orientation provided to interns? Who conducts the initial orientation?
9. Is the internship one that might place you in the situation of handling an emergency? If so, what training will you be given for such a situation?
10. Are you likely to incur any expenses in the performance of your duties? If so, will you be reimbursed?
11. Are there any special organizational rules you should know about?
12. Are there any special legal limitations that apply to you because of your work at the site (bonding, confidentiality, security clearance, etc.)
13. Can the agency assist you in locating housing for the duration of the internship?


WHAT TO DO AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN PLACED AND ACCEPTED

1. Write a letter or call the agency confirming your acceptance, thanking them for the opportunity and reconfirming your starting date and time.

2. Notify your faculty director and Career Services of your mailing address during the internship, work schedule and supervisor's name and contact information (phone numbers, address, and email) during the internship.

3. Register for the internship by turning in the Application for Internship Form to the Registrar.

4. Attend an orientation session required of all FIRST TIME interns sponsored by Career Services.

5. Make sure all necessary forms have been completed and are on file in the Office of Career Services.

a) Approval Card 
b) Learning Agreement
c) Application for Internship Form 
d) Acknowledgment Form(s)