Internships
What is an internship?
An internship is any temporary work experience that involves on-the-job training to prepare for a future career in a given field or career. The emphasis of an internship is exposure to a given field and development of skills and knowledge rather than simple employment. Internships may be found through formal internship programs through an agency or business or they may be informal situations set up on a case by case basis. When thinking about potential internship opportunities it important to think outside the box. An internship experience is most valuable when it allows you to demonstrate creativity and initiative and provides you with the experience that will help you attain your goals after graduation.
Why should I be interested in getting an internship?
Just as Education students gain experience through student teaching and Engineering students gain experience with co-ops, it is important for students who are working towards a liberal arts degree to gain experience. Some of the best ways to do this are through volunteer or internship opportunities. Employers and admissions committees for graduate and professional programs are looking for candidates who have had a variety of experiences in and out of the classroom. They want people who have taken the initiative to do more than just what is required for a degree.
Internships will also help you develop a network of people in your field of interest that could very well be instrumental in helping you get your foot in the door of a career or program. If a potential employer or admissions committee can see that you have certain skills or are acquainted with people who can vouch for your abilities they are more likely to take a longer look at you and your qualifications. Internships are also important in terms of getting letters of recommendation. Whether you continue your education after earning a bachelor’s degree or look for a job, you are likely to need letters of recommendation from people who are familiar with your work and your abilities.
During the course of an internship you will likely:
- Develop project management, time management, and decision-making skills
- Demonstrate effective critical thinking skills
- Demonstrate higher-order thinking skills
- Adapt writing for different audiences in an effective manner
- Apply information and skills learned in the classroom to workplace situations
- Decide whether a career in a given area is right for you in the long term
Can I get paid for an internship?
Possibly, some businesses and organizations might offer to pay you but it is important to keep in mind that the experience you gain is much more valuable than any salary you might get. So, if it is a choice between an internship that involves filing and taking phone messages for pay vs. one that doesn’t pay but gives you the opportunity to shadow people in a career you aspire to where you would learn more about the day-to-day activities and make valuable connections you might want to think about which would be better in the long run.
Can I get credit for an internship?
The answer here too is, possibly. Again, keep in mind that what is most important is the experience you gain. Also keep in mind that if you were to do an internship over the summer, you would need to register for, and pay for credits during the summer term as well.
The College of Letters and Science does not routinely offer credit for internships but there are ways to get credit for academic activities related to an internship. The two most common ways of seeking credit are: the Summer Internship Seminar offered through L&S Career Services and taking Directed Study. Nearly all departments in the College of Letters and Science have a directed study course (courses numbered X99) but the rules and requirements for enrolling in them may differ. For more information, visit the Directed Study page of the Department of English website.
Students interested in combining internship experience with their studies in the English major might want to consider taking ENGLISH 317 (fall) and ENGLISH 318 (spring).
How do I find an internship?
What are you thinking about doing after graduation? What type of experience might help you get there? What jobs or volunteer positions have you held previously that might make you attractive as a potential intern?
Resources for finding an internship
Letters and Science Career Services
In addition to internship listings they have resources to help you with resumes, cover letters and interviews. The process of finding an internship is similar to finding a job,
L&S Career Services also has an extensive list of non-UW sponsored internship listings
Department of English Internship list (coming soon!)
Department of English
7195 Helen C. White
600 N. Park St.
Madison, WI 53706
608-263-3761
800-123-4567
fax: 608-263-3709