Although the term internship is sometimes used loosely, at the UW Career Center we use the term to denote a position (usually part-time) that is related to the student's academic goals and is pre-professional in nature. An internship provides practical experience which supplements academic learning. A position consisting primarily of clerical tasks such as filing and copying would not be considered an internship.

The Benefits of Internships

There are benefits to you, the employer in hiring an intern. When you hire interns, you are creating a pool of experienced candidates from which to hire. The chance of a "fit" between the candidate and your company is increased. You've observed their skills and work style, and they've had the opportunity to evaluate if the company is right for them. Additionally, the new employee who has completed an internship with you already understands the work world and your company's culture. You won't have to wait while they make the adjustment from student to worker.

Tips for a Successful Internship

Students consider a good internship to be one in which they build their skills and get experience in their field. They want real responsibilities and enough work to fill their time. Organizing the internship around a particular project that needs to be accomplished will help the student feel that they are doing work that matters and not just busy work. If possible, have one person serve as the intern's supervisor who assigns and tracks their work.

Internship vs. Part-Time Job

An internship should be a learning tool that can help students to gain work experience and an understanding of a specific industry or career path. An internship typically needs to include the following components:

• A clearly delineated position description.
• Duties and responsibilities that are not haphazardly determined nor purely clerical in nature.
• Provision of specific work area for the intern.
• Exposure to other professional staff, clientele, etc. (as appropriate) for professional growth.
• Opportunities for mentoring as appropriate.
• Opportunities for feedback and discussion. 

Internships for Credit

Students may earn academic credit for an internship by making arrangements with their academic department or the Carlson Leadership and Public Service Center. It is the student's responsibility to arrange to receive credit for their internship and they must do so before beginning the internship. The requirements may differ by department, but generally, earning credit for an internship involves a partnership between the student, the site supervisor, and a faculty sponsor. The number of credits awarded is determined by the scope of the internship, the project turned in at the end, and the number of hours worked. The internship supervisor will fill out an evaluation form on the student.

Listing an Internship

You may advertise your internship opportunity with the UW Career Center by posting it directly on HuskyJobs. Public sector employers may also post internships with the Carlson Leadership and Public Service Center.