WHAT BETTER WAY IS THERE TO GET HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD YOU WANT TO WORK THAN THROUGH AN INTERNSHIP?
You can participate in an internship anytime during your academic career And it could be a nice way to "try out" a job or ease the transition into a job after graduation.
Aspects of each internship vary, but you should consider the following when searching for opportunities that match your needs (in no particular order):
- credit vs. pay
- summer vs. regular terms (fall/spring)
- local vs. out of town or state
- reputation of the company
- what you will do
- necessary courses or experience
- can the opportunity lead to employment after graduation?
Advantages of participation in an internship are many:
- real work experience to put on your résumé
- opportunity to see if that company is a good match for you
- chance to make an excellent impression on a future employer; and "get your foot in the door"
- earn some $$ or
- receive upper-division credit for your work
- networking - meet people in the industry and make connections with those who can help you get ahead
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is sponsoring an excellent paid internship for students in the sciences to work with government agencies in Washington, DC (or other field locations) during the Fall, Spring, or Summer.
Government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are paying anywhere from $450 to $480 per week based on a 40-hour work week. Airfare is included, and though housing is not included, HACU will assist in finding affordable housing for its interns.
The objective of these internships is to train college students for careers in government and the internship itself could lead to permanent full time employment right out of college.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have completed their freshman year of college before the internship begins
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Be authorized or eligible to work by law in the United States (some internship assignments require U.S. citizenship to participate)
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or associate degree program (seniors graduating in May lf 2008 may participate only in the summer of 2008).
Please note that all races are eligible for this internship; it is not limited to Hispanics only. It is competitive however, and since Summer is the most popular time to do the internship, that also happens to be the most competitive term in which to apply. If you are interested in this enriching opportunity, please go to www.hacu.net to apply.
You can always ask a company if they employ interns. If they lack a formal internship program, see if they will allow you work for college credit. If the company is willing to hire you for credit, you may be enrolled in an internship course:
CHEM 493 -- Internship (1-3 units)
Description: Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice in actual service in a technical, business, or governmental establishment.
Grading: | Alternative grades | are awarded for this course: S P C D or E.
May be repeated: an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
- The most current versions of the following forms are available on the Registrar's Forms page
- Internship Policies and Guidelines
- Internship Application Form
- Internship Assumption of Risk Release Form
- Student's Internship Evaluation Form
- Supervisor's Internship Evaluation Form