So what, exactly, is an internship?
An internship is supervised career-related work experience. It enables students to bring their classroom learning and educational goals together with professional skills in real-world situations. SA/VS internships are intended to give students an opportunity to learn while being mentored by professionals in their fields.
Why should I get an internship?
It looks GREAT on a resume
In that, you could gain a valuable reference
You might actually get a job in that very company where you intern
The experience sets you up for future success
Meet other people in your field (networking)
Learn new skills, time management, goal setting etc.
Be a meaningful contributor to a successful project
Am I required to have an internship?
A-H majors are required to have a “Direct Experience” so the answer there is YES. A-E, A-S & DMD students are not required to do an internship, but it is strongly encouraged for DMD majors.
What are the different types of internships here at SA/VS?
• A-S 399 Experiential Education: A Creative Internship where the student produces work for portfolio evaluation. (At least 60% of the job is producing creative work.)
• EXP 396 Experiential Education: Workplace experience in the industry, no portfolio evaluation.
• A-H 399 Experiential Education in Art History & Visual Studies: Usually gallery and/or museum internships for Art History and Visual Studies majors.
If I get an internship, do I have to also sign up to receive credit?
No, it is perfectly fine to do an internship without getting credit. It looks great on your resume!
Will I get paid for my internship?
Maybe. Each employer is different. Some offer a semester stipend or hourly payment, and some do not. You will need to discuss that with your employer. If you are not getting college credit for your internship, then in most cases you should be paid.
If I do want to receive credit, how does that work?
Once you have connected with an employer and been offered a position, to receive academic credit for an internship you start by contacting Prof. Lee Ann Paynter to set up a meeting. The type of internship will be determined, along with the deliverables and due dates etc. Professor Paynter will answer your questions and help guide you in completing the paperwork. There is a contract that must be completed and signed. It is an agreement between you, the employer and SA/VS.
What do you mean by a contract / agreement?
You will take part in setting your own learning objectives and determining how you will reach them. Contracts have a section that must be completed by you, a section for your employer to complete, and a section for the faculty sponsor Prof. Paynter. All parties sign the contract in agreement of the objectives and goals and as a commitment to the process. Lastly the contract must be approved and signed off on by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. There is a downloadable PDF here.
Who should have an internship while in college?
Those who want to learn more about a particular career path
Those who want to get real-world experience before entering the job market
If you would like to make money (in SOME positions)
If you are interested in upward mobility within a particular company
If you want to use your creative skills outside of school
If you want to learn about professional environments\
When should I try to get an internship?
Generally students are ready for an internship during or after their junior year. You need to have taken several upper-level studio classes so you have enough skills to be an asset to an employer.
How many hours should I work?
During the regular fall and spring semesters it is recommended to work around 10 hours per week so you can keep up with your academic requirements. In the summer semester or winter intersession that number could increase quite a lot.
How many total hours do I have to work to get school credit?
1 credit hour = 48 work hours
2 credit hours = 96 work hours
3 credit hours = 144 work hours
What else is required to receive credit and the grade for the internship?
There are deliverables: At then end of the semester, all students will write a 350 – 500 word reflection about their experience, as well as complete an evaluation of the employer. If you are in a creative internship you will also supply a portfolio of the creative work you have done in your internship. The parameters of the portfolio will be agreed upon in the contract. All students will also be evaluated by their employer, which helps determine the final grade.
What about mid-term?
All students will be required to complete a mid-term evaluation of their employer, and their employer will be required to complete an evaluation the student. Mid-term grades are based on that evaluation.
Will SA/VS get me an internship?
No. We are not obligated to provide you with an internship. However, we are always building relationships with local, regional and even national organizations in order to offer these great opportunities for our students. It is ultimately up to you to get an internship by finding, applying and interviewing with a company.
