Internships:
 A Taste of the Working World

Truman-Sponsored Programs The Washington Center Missouri Government Internship Truman Library Other Internship Opportunities eRecruiting Other Sites Internship Information Definition Why Intern? How to Begin Academic Credit When to Begin What to Expect Tips for Success Internship Insights Tell us about your internship Business Communication Justice Systems

What is an internship? 

 The National Society for Experiential Education defines an internship as "a carefully monitored work or volunteer experience in which an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what he or she is learning throughout the experience." The key phrases in this definition are "carefully monitored," "intentional learning goals," and "reflects actively." 

 Why should I consider doing an internship?

• Clarify educational and career goals
• Enhance classroom experiences and relevance
• Build skills, knowledge and vocabulary specific to field
• Network
• Increase marketability and earning potential

What steps should I take to begin my internship search?

1. Clarify goals. What do you want to gain by interning? Write down specific skills, knowledge and experiences you hope to acquire through an internship.
2. Check options. The Career Center maintains a number of national and international internship directories in the resource library, in addition to maintaining a list of online postings. Other places you can search for an internship: the Internet job search sites like Monster.com; professional association websites; Career Expo; family, friends and neighbors; faculty and advisors, as well as employers you find interesting. Remember, if you don’t find an internship that suits your needs, you can always design your own internship. 
3. Create a targeted list of sites that you believe will meet your needs.
4. Get your marketing tools ready. Prepare a resume. Write cover letters. Purchase appropriate interview attire and prepare to present yourself.  
5. Apply.
6. Follow-up.
7. Interview.
8. Follow-up with a thank you.
9. Evaluate your offers and make a decision.
10. If you plan to receive academic credit for the internship, begin completing the paperwork.

 How do I receive academic credit for an internship?  

 In general, to receive credit for an internship at Truman, you need to have achieved junior status (at least 60 college credit hours) and a cumulative GPA of 2.75. In addition, you will need to complete a learning contract and interviews with a faculty sponsor, the Division Head for your academic area and Dr. Maria Di Stefano, Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs. A packet with detailed information is available in the VP’s Office, McClain 203.*

* For information on receiving credit for internships specific to your discipline, please check with your academic division office and your advisor. The following links provide additional information.
 
Business & Accountancy 3-15 hours
(check ACCT 400 & BSAD 400 course descriptions.)

Education     

Fine Arts 

Art/Visual Communication
Music
Theatre 

Human Potential and Performance 

Communication Disorders
(check under course numbers CMDS 682 & 683)
Health & Exercise Science
Nursing         

Language & Literature 

Communication
Classical & Modern Languages
English 
(See course descriptions, ENG 451 & 452.)

Mathematics & Computer Science
(See capstone experience)

Science 

Agricultural Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics

Social Science 

Economics
History
Justice Systems
Philosophy & Religion
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology/Anthropology

   
When do I begin my search?

Although some students are successful in landing an internship with a timeline of only a few months, it is wise to begin planning 1 to 1 ½ years in advance. Highly selective sites often have application deadlines 6 months to a year in advance of the actual start date for the internship.

 What are some examples of places I could intern?

• New York Yankees
• CNN
• NASA
• Microsoft
• Marvel Comics
• Late Show with David Letterman
• The Kennedy Center
• JP Morgan
• FBI
• CIA
• Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo
• U.S. Embassy in Paris

 Some places to begin your search:
 General

• The Truman State University Career Center 
• Resources on how to write cover letters and resumes, interviewing tips, and internship postings are available. In addition, numerous directories are available for browsing in the career library.
• The Riley Guide 
  • An excellent database of job and internship search sites, including many professional associations. Don’t limit your search only to sites specifically listing internships; many professional association sites will also have information for college students.
• The Internship Bible (available in the Career Center Library)
• Internjobs.com
• ITCareers.com IT Careers and many more.
• Jobweb, a site by the National Association of Colleges and Employers
  • Tips on internship search, an internship salary survey and links to sites for all majors/interest areas
• The U.S. State Department
  • There are a number of paid and unpaid positions both in Washington, DC, and abroad. VERY EARLY APPLICATION DEADLINES!
• National Internships
  • Guides are available for internship search in a number of geographic locations and interest areas
• The Washington Center
• Rising Star Internships
  • A directory of internships by interest area
• Internshipprogram.com
• MonsterTrak

 Business

• Careers in Business
  • Links to many sources of information on business areas such as management, finance, marketing and accounting
• Direct Marketing Internships
• International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
  • Helpful information for students planning to pursue human resources careers

Communication

• Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, Inc. 
• Entertainment Employment Journal 
• International Association of Business Communicators
  (IABC)—Kansas City Internships
  (IABC)—St. Louis 
• Magazine Publishers of America 
  • Excellent source of internships in the magazine publishing field
• Public Relations Society of America 
• Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
• TVJobs.com  

 Fine Arts

• ArtJob 
• Creative Hotlist
• Musical On-line 
• Smithsonian Institution 
• World Wide Arts Resource 

Government Sources

• US Office of Personnel Management 
  • Excellent source of information about a number of federal departments, including student job postings.

Health and Exercise Sciences

• Health Professions 

International

• InternAbroad.com 
• Association for International Practical Training 

Natural Sciences

• Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) 
• Cyber-Sierra’s Natural Resources Job Search 
  • Internships listed under “summer” jobs
• Environmental Careers Organization
  • Several paid internships available
• Experiential Programs in Chemistry, published by the American Chemical Society 
• NASA Internships
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Internships
• Physics Internships and Research Opportunities
• Research Experience for Undergraduates Program (REU) 
• Research and Training Opportunities at National Institutes of Health 
• The Student Conservation Association 

Nonprofit

• Idealist 
  • Nonprofit internship and volunteer directory
• National Assembly: Internships in Youth Development

Don’t make the mistake of limiting your search to only those sites with advertised internships! Many sites will work with a good student to provide a learning experience over the semester or the summer. The Career Center can help you in communicating with employers if they have questions about internships. Additionally, the Site Supervisor Handbook may provide valuable information for new internship sponsors.

 
What should I expect from an internship?

 Do expect to:

• Meet your learning objectives.
• Complete valuable work for your employer.
• Do some “grunt” work! Learn from the “grunt” work! Become a careful observer.
• Network.
• Enhance your classroom learning.
• Be respected by your supervisor and colleagues.
• Make connections between classroom learning and real world applications.

Don’t expect to:

• Become wealthy.
• Be offered a full-time position, although this happens with some degree of frequency.

Tips for a successful internship experience:

 Adjust your expectations. Work and college are different. At work, you will not likely receive as much feedback on your performance or be asked to share your opinion as often. You may not be asked to solve major problems during an internship; use the internship as a time to observe and learn—even if you are asked, on occasion, to file or make copies. Be sure you ask to have spring break, fall break and other campus “holidays” off as your school schedule will not likely coincide with your employer’s schedule.  

Network. Introduce yourself to co-workers. Go to lunch. Participate in activities outside of work such as volunteering or ball teams. Tell colleagues about your goals. Keep in touch with your network after the internship.
 
Be professional. Dress appropriately. Be on time. Do your best work—even in seemingly menial tasks like copying. 

Ask questions.  Admit when you don’t know the answer. Learn the “big picture.”  

Reflect. Apply theories you’ve learned in class to your work environment. What works? What could be done better? How does this internship meet your needs? Is it a good fit for you? How has the experience changed you? How have you changed the internship site and people there?