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Internship Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I find an internship?
- What should I consider before searching for an internship?
- Why should I consider an internship?
- How early should I begin planning an internship?
- When can I do an internship?
- Is there a tuition charge for internships?
- Are internships paid?
- How do I apply for an internship?
- What are the benefits to completing the learning agreement and evaluations?
- How can I get the most out of my internship?
- What should I do if I'm experiencing concerns or issues while interning?
- How many SNC students complete internships?
- Where have SNC students interned?
Return to SNC Internship Program
1. How can I find an internship?
- Schedule an appointment with the Career Services Staff by calling 920-403-3040 or emailing careers@snc.edu. The Career Services Staff can assist you by making suggestions and directing you to materials on file, but it is ultimately your responsibility to identify, contact, and secure your own potential internship site.
- Internships USA ( username = work; password = credit; Click on Internship Series Online): Internship postings primarily in large cities across the U.S.
- WFIC: Paid Summer Internship Opportunities in Wisconsin
- Career Services Library (there are several books in the Career Services Library listing internship offerings nationally, internationally, and for all majors)
- St. Norbert College faculty and staff
- Company Web Sites - If you know of a company you would like to intern at, search their website for postings
- Contact company's or organizations you are interested in interning with even if they don't have internship opportunities posted. You may want to ask for an informational interview to gain a thorough understanding of the organization. This will allow you to meet a professional in your area of occupational interest, to ask questions about the career field, and to get information on how the professional got started in her/his career. Career Search allows you to search for potential employers. The client referral code is norbert.
- Network with everyone you know. Let friends, family, neighbors, professors, former employers, etc. know what kind of internship you are searching for. Ask for referrals and request informational interviews. Networking is an ideal way for finding those internship and job opportunities that are not posted. Within Career Connections, there is access to Career Contacts, professionals who are willing to network with St. Norbert College students.
2. What should I consider before searching for an internship?
- What are your specific career interests/goals?
- What types of organizations interest you?
- Will you consider both paid and unpaid internships?
- Do you want college credit?
- Do you have geographical limitations?
- What do you hope to learn from your internship?
- What is your class schedule?
- How many hours do you want to commit to an internship?
3. Why should I consider an internship?
Internships allow you to:
- Apply classroom knowledge to a real work environment
- Acquire experience important for future employment and education
- Develop and practice transferable skills
- Experience different management styles and work environments
- Develop long-range career goals and test your skills and interests in a particular career field
- Learn about your own personal aptitudes and preferences
- Understand the value of your liberal arts studies
- Expand your professional network and references
- Increase your chances of receiving a job offer upon graduation
4. How early should I begin planning an internship?
Planning should begin at least one semester in advance. Each company will have their own individual timetable. However, the earlier you begin planning your internship, the more options you may have. Some companies have formalized internship programs while others utilize an internship on an as-needed basis.
5. When can I do an internship?
Fall, Spring, or during the summer or winter breaks. In addition, your internship start date does not need to correlate directly with semester start dates.
6. Is there a tuition charge for internships?
If you choose to receive credit for your internship by taking the 494 or 490 course, you will be charged. However, there is no tuition charge for non-credit internships.
7. Are internships paid?
The company providing the internship determines whether an intern will be paid. Companies will vary on their policies for compensation. Please remember that “experience is experience whether it is for pay or not, or for credit or non-credit.” What is important is that you are receiving the “documented experience” that is a prerequisite for many kinds of employment. For an internship to be considered “documented experience”, students must complete an internship learning agreement and evaluation.
8. How do I apply for an internship?
Each company will have a different policy for applying. Schedule an appointment with the Career Services Staff for assistance in developing a resume, cover letter, and reference page or to practice your interviewing skills. In addition, the Career Office has numerous handouts and guides to help in the application and interview process.
9. What are the benefits to completing the learning agreement and evaluations?
The learning agreement serves as contract between you, your site supervisor, and SNC. The learning agreement and evaluations are a requirement of the Professional Internship Experience at St. Norbert College. The forms allow the College to have a record of your internship and to verify your internship if asked to do so by your future employers. The learning agreement and evaluations allow for a more structured approach, including check-in points throughout the internship. The forms will also be beneficial to include in your professional portfolio, will be helpful when creating your resume, or in gaining admission to graduate school. In addition, these forms can be used to demonstrate to future employers that you have the internship experience they require. You will also have the option to receive an internship certificate from Career Services to use in your professional portfolio.
10. How can I get the most out of my internship?
- Express a positive attitude and a desire to learn. Complete your work assignments with enthusiasm and professionalism.
- Exhibit initiative and suggest creative solutions to some of the challenges at your work site.
- Set personal goals that are realistic and attainable.
- Meet regularly with your supervisor(s). Do not be afraid to ask questions, but also be a good listener and learn as much as you can during these meetings. Discuss problems as they arise.
- Network—build professional relationships with your supervisor and other people in the organization. Ask to attend staff and professional meetings.
- Leave with tangible results to add to your resume and/or portfolio.
11. What should I do if I'm experiencing concerns or issues while interning?
Contact the SNC Career Services Office who will assist you. Just to name a few, issues that may arise could be learning objective concerns, harassment, discrimination, or concerns about ethical practices.
12. How many SNC students complete internships?
Approximately 300 students, across all majors, intern each year. These include paid or non-paid, on-campus or off-campus, and for-credit and non-credit internships.
13. Where have SNC students interned?
Check out a listing of companies by career field in addition to Internship Profiles.
Disclaimer: Most employers are reputable and reliable, but the SNC Career Services Office is not in a position to guarantee the professional standing of all companies, organizations, or individuals posting internship opportunities. Applicants are strongly encouraged to research potential sponsors as part of the internship search process.
Return to SNC Internship Program
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Quick Links:
For more information about internships, contact:
Jenny Schroth
Assistant Director - Internships
(920) 403-3040 phone
(920) 403-4052 fax
jenny.schroth@snc.edu |
