LS&A Internship Information achieve learn work succeed An internship is: A short-term work experience which varies in length and can be paid or unpaid. An opportunity to gain valuable insights and "hands on" training in a professional setting. A chance to explore career paths in a variety of fields. A temporary position giving students the opportunity to translate course work into applied knowledge in the workplace. An intrinsic part of a student's academic and professional training. An opportunity to develop a network and seek a mentor. An internship is NOT: A position of menial tasks like copying, filing, and running errands. A summer job unrelated to any career plan. ACADEMIC CREDIT Some academic departments have set up special courses for internship credit, which they award for their concentrators only. These include Communication Studies, Economics, English, Film&Video, Germanic (German, Scandinavian), and Political Science. Check with your department for specific details. In other programs, you may not get credit for simply doing an internship. However, it may be possible to get academic credit for an independent study that complements your internship. An independent study is a special arrangement made with an instructor to complete academic work not normally offered through traditional classroom instruction. Below is a step-by-step guide to arranging an independent study. Step 1 Find a faculty member (sponsor) to supervise your internship. In order to get academic credit, it is essential that you find a sponsor willing to oversee the project. Step 2 In consultation with your sponsor, draft a proposal that explains the internship, its relevance to an area of academic study, and outlines academic work you would complete in addition to the internship (i.e., a journal, several papers, or an oral presentation). Your proposal should suggest what work you will do, in addition to the internship, in order to get credit. Remember what you are getting credit for is an independent study. Note: Arrangements for receiving independent study credit should be completed before the internship begins. Step 3 Set up a contract with your sponsor for the work to be done and deadlines for completing it. Check to see if there are specific procedures to follow or paperwork to complete for independent study in the faculty member's department. Step 4 Get a permission number (override) from your sponsor or department staff, then register for the independent study. Step 5 Throughout the course of your internship, think about how your experiences relate to your independent study project. Whether required or not, it is a good idea to keep a journal. The journal will allow you to record your daily activities and reflect on how they are relevant to your project. With your faculty sponsor's permission, you may wish to modify your contract to reflect the changing nature of your project. STEPS TO AN INTERNSHIP Identify personal goals and interests. Review resources at CP&P, International Center/Overseas Opportunities Office, UM student organizations, Alumni Network, and on the web. Go to CP&P and make an appointment with a career counselor. Prepare a resume and draft cover letters. Seek letters of recommendation; open a CP&P letter file. Attend Job Fairs and Information Sessions: Senior Seminar (August) Public Service Internship Program (September) Study Abroad Fair (October) Career Link (October) Job Fair (October) Health Career Fair (November) Multicultural Job Fair (January) Work Abroad Month (February) Internship Summer Job Fair (February) E-Fair (February) Research organizations & specific programs to refine interests and tailor cover letters. Conduct informational interviews. If you seek credit related to the internship, identify faculty who might sponsor an independent study. Apply for positions. (October through April) Prepare and practice interviewing skills. Interview. Follow up with potential employers and faculty sponsor, if applicable. Intern. Review and synthesize experience. Add letters of recommendation from internship supervisors to your CP&P file. BUILDING & MANAGING SKILLS What are the top skills that businesses seek from college graduates? Communication Critical thinking/Analytical thinking Initiative/Creativity Interpersonal abilities/Teamwork Self-management Leadership/Networking Technical knowledge Perspective/Balance How can you make the most of your internship to build these skills? Keep a journal of tasks, opportunities, contacts, projects, etc. Make a list of skills you acquired and how you developed them Keep a file of materials for use in a portfolio Ask people to discuss their job skills Seek a mentor Ask to take on responsibilities Ask to do something that involves the skills you want to develop After your internship, how can you apply the skills you learned? Take a challenging class Be a peer mentor Volunteer in an organization Take a different role in your current organization or job Maintain contact with the people you met; get advice Develop workshops for a group (talk to your academic advisor about ideas) Think about other experiences you would like to have to develop other facets of yourself INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES The following student organizations can help arrange internships: AIESEC arranges international business internships. All concentrators may apply. Contact: aiesec.info@umich.edu or www.umich.edu/~aiesecmi/ IAESTE arranges internships for international positions in primarily scientific and technical jobs. Contact: iaeste.eb@umich.edu or www.umich.edu/~iaeste/ For other international internships, contact the U of M International Center (IC) Opportunities Overseas Office. Frequently Asked Questions about Internships QUESTIONS? LS&A Academic Advising (LS&A) 1255 Angell Hall (734) 764-0332 www.lsa.umich.edu/saa/ Career Planning and Placement (CP&P) 3200 Student Activities Building (734) 764-7460 www.cpp.umich.edu International Center (IC) (Overseas Opportunities Office) Michigan Union (734) 764-9310 www.umich.edu/~icenter/ Office of International Programs (OIP) Michigan Union (734) 764-4311 www.umich.edu/~iinet/oip/ Also, check these web sites: Alumni Network www.umich.edu/~umalumni/ Maize Pages www.umich.edu/~maizepgs/ Other useful links Career Planning and Placement's Internship Page Department of Chemistry SUMMER JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS Research Experience for Undergraduates Department of Classical Studies Department of Communication Computer Science Co-op Department of Economics Department of English Program in Film and Video Studies Department of Germanic Languages German Scandinavian Department of History of Art Department of Physics Research Experience for Undergraduates Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics Department of Political Science Residential College International Institute's Individually Developed Overseas Internship Awards Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program's Searching for summer internships? Study Abroad London, England Parliamentary Internships CIC Internship Program in Australia UM-Dearborn Political Science Internship Humanities Internship NASCO Cooperative Internship Program Japan Technology Management Program Internships and Full-Time Employment Vault Reports: Finding a summer internship Department of Chemical Engineering Monroe Street Journal's Tips for the Internship Search: Interviewing for BBAs Southeastern Michigan Math-Science Learning Coalition's Job Shadowing Opportunities by Category University of Michigan | College of LS&A | Student Academic Affairs | LS&A Bulletin Index This page maintained by LS&A Academic Information and Publications, 1228 Angell Hall Copyright © 2001 The Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA +1 734 764-1817 Trademarks of the University of Michigan may not be electronically or otherwise altered or separated from this document or used for any non-University purpose. Last update: 8-Aug-01 5:25 pm EDT rcj