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At Penn State Behrend, an internship is a professional,
career-related experience in an organizational or company
setting. Students may have the opportunity to receive
credit for the experience. Some students intern for the
experience and contact, and not for credit. Internships
are often completed during the academic year in conjunction with
classes or as a stand-alone experience in the summer. Interns
often work 10-12 hours/week during the academic year and 10-40
hours/week during the summer. Alternative schedules are
possible and depend on the needs and expectations of the parties
involved, including the student intern, a faculty adviser, and
the intern supervisor for the company/organization. Many
departments require a student to complete 120 career-related
work hours to receive 3 credits.
Students: Basics
Expectations Faculty,
Students and the CDC
The Process
Behrend and University Park Resources
and Requirements
Intern Code of Conduct/What to
Expect
Co-ops
MBA Internships
Research Opportunities
Students: The Search
Internship Searching Resources/Postings
First Steps----new process!!!
(important downloadable document regarding ONLINE INTERNSHIP postings
via Nittany Lion Recruiting.)
Partial List of Additional Resources in
the CDC
National Internship Search Web Sites
Various Company
Internship Web Sites (different
page)
University Park Engineering Cooperative Education & Professional Internship Program
Job Shadowing
Informational Interviews
E-mailing a Resume
Part-time Job Searching Checklist
Work Study and Wage Payroll Positions
Don't forget to visit the CDC Web pages on Resumes/Cover
Letters, Interviewing, and
Job Fairs.
Expectations
Student Role
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Students are
expected to take an active role in locating, applying for, and
obtaining an internship site and completing the necessary
requirements for academic credit.
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Students must
exhibit professional behavior and appearance throughout the
internship process.
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Students should
regularly communicate with their faculty supervisor and internship
site supervisor. Most employers expect students to:
Be
prepared and research the company before the interview.
Know what you have to offer and be able to articulate it.
Have good
grades.
Have
information on credit-bearing internship requirements for your major.
Come
to work every day, on time.
HAVE
A POSITIVE ATTITUDE, and show gratitude for the opportunity.
Make
smart decisions. Follow directions.
Concentrate
on work and care about the quality of your work. Finish the job.
Write
and communicate well.
Recognize
problems and find solutions.
Be
honest and dependable.
Faculty
Supervisor/Adviser Role
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The
faculty supervisor determines student eligibility consistent
with department requirements with regard to G.P.A. and
semester standing.
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The
faculty supervisor establishes the criteria for receiving
academic credit and may assist students in selecting
appropriate internship sites.
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Throughout the internship, the faculty supervisor may
communicate with the student and maintain contact with the
site supervisor.
Career
Development Center Role
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The Career
Development Center (CDC) provides students information on
potential internship sites, and assists with resume writing,
interviewing skills, and internship site expectations.
Students are not placed in internships.
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Potential
internship descriptions are submitted to the department
program chairs to determine which are eligible for academic
credit.
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The CDC
posts the positions to students and may collect resumes for
employers.
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The CDC can also
post paid positions that do not qualify as internships.
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The CDC internship coordinator may assist students with issues
that arise within the workplace during the internship.
Students: The Basics
Benefits to You
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Many employers use
career-related experience as a factor when deciding who to
hire for full-time positions.
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Interns obtain valuable,
practical experience as well as insights into the daily
operations of a business or organization.
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Interns also learn to relate
classroom training to business situations and apply theory to
practice.
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Students may have the
opportunity to earn academic credits for work experience while
demonstrating their skills and knowledge to a potential
employer.
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Many interns in non-technical
majors are unpaid, but most technical majors and some
non-technical majors will receive financial compensation to
help defray college expenses. Qualify for work-study? Ask the CDC
how the organization you're interning with may be able to
participate.
Benefits to the Employer
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Student interns
bring fresh ideas and creativity to an organization.
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Employers add part-time, skilled employees to supplement their work
force or to complete a project at a nominal cost.
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Interns
may become potential full-time employees.
Qualifications
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Students participating in a
Penn State credit-bearing internship must meet the academic
requirements of their respective discipline.
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The academic standards vary by academic unit. Many departments
require that students have fifth semester standing and a
minimum G.P.A. in order to be eligible for a credit-bearing
internship.
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Most faculty advisors or program chairs can determine
eligibility and academic credit options. Many requirements are
listed on the department Web sites.
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Department requirements listed on the Behrend Web site.
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State Work Study
funds may also be available to assist with the payment of
interns who qualify. To find out about these programs
and how to be approved, go to the Financial Aid office.
.
Beginning the Process
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Visit the CDC Search links and
use for an overview of the process and resources
available to assist you.
- Determine your needs.
Internship, summer job, co-op, credit/non-credit, paid/unpaid?
- Consult with your academic
department for eligibility requirements, prerequisites,
scheduling, and ideas for potential sites.
- Develop leadership skills.
Join clubs, professional organizations, athletic teams,
associations, etc.
- Develop references. Faculty,
former bosses, coaches, co-workers, etc.
- Make an appointment in the
CDC at least one semester before you would like to intern.
Discuss potential sites and resources, resumes, application
process, interviews, internship expectations, etc. (814)
898-6164 (Schedule an appointment with Andrew Watters.)
- Develop a resume and cover
letter. Utilize the CDC Web site and office resources, in
addition to the Career Development Center staff.
- Attend career fairs.
- Network. Ask family members,
friends of family, old or current employers, other students,
and faculty about potential internships. Complete
informational interviews/job shadowing.
- Contact potential internship
employers through informational interviews, the CDC, Web
sites, faculty, responding to internship postings, etc.
- Follow-up. Call to inquire
if the company has received your resume, and if you can
provide additional information.
- Interview. Visit the CDC Web
site for interviewing tips, schedule a practice interview, or
visit the CDC for tips, ideas, and handouts.
- Meet with your faculty
supervisor to discuss final plans and requirements for the
internship. Complete the necessary paperwork/internship
proposal with your advisor and site supervisor, and register
for academic credit. (Usually with a drop/add form.)
- Notify the CDC when you have
accepted an internship. If problems arise during the
internship, make an appointment with the CDC to discuss the
situation.
- Complete all projects,
papers, and tasks associated with obtaining credit, and submit
to your faculty supervisor.
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Applying via e-mail
Co-op
Although the terms internship and co-op are often used
interchangeably, at Behrend an internship is taken along with your
scheduled courses or as a stand alone in the summer, while a
co-op is over an extended period of time.
A co-op is often over two or more semesters, and students often
work full-time. Many co-ops are often taken outside of the Penn
State Behrend area and may lengthen a college career by a semester
or a year. Students interested in pursuing a co-op, should meet
with their advisor to discuss schedules.
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Behrend Co-op Guide
Eberly School of
Science Co-op Program
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University
Park Engineering Cooperative Education & Professional Internship Program
Electrical
Engineering Technology Co-op Program
MBA
Internships
As an MBA
student at Behrend, you can choose to complete an internship.
Although some internships are unpaid, they can provide
real-world work experience for students and can make students
more competitive in the job market. The Career Development
Center can assist with locating opportunities and preparing you
for your internship search. Please visit the office in the Reed
Union Building (1st floor, west end) or call 898-6164 to make an
appointment.
What are the Requirements to Get Credit
for
an Internship?
Internship Credit
If you choose to complete the internship for credit, speak
to an advisor within your major. If you choose to complete a
co-op, requirements are different. Speak with the CDC
internship coordinator and your advisor.
University Park Eberly School of
Science Co-op Program
University
Park Engineering Cooperative Education & Professional Internship Program
University Park Division of
Undergraduate Studies
Accounting
5th semester standing, completed
Business core courses
Supervisor: Jim Voss, x6437,
jav7@psu.edu
Biology
Students often
take aspects of their internships and continue them as research
projects.
Supervisor: Paul Barney or any
full-time Biology faculty member, x7133,
peb3@psu.edu
Business, Liberal Arts, and Sciences
5th semester standing, completed
Business core courses
Supervisor: Ken Louie or advisor within field of interest.
x6265,
obr@psu.edu
Business Economics/Economics
5th semester standing, completed Econ 002, Econ 004,
Business core courses
Supervisor: Any Economics faculty member
Chemistry
5th semester standing
Supervisor: Tracy Halmi, x6045,
tao104@psu.edu
Communication and Media Studies
5th semester standing minimum. Although
communication faculty prefer you complete summer between your
junior/senior years or during your senior year.
Supervisor: Rod Troester, x6442,
rlt5@psu.edu
Computer Science
5th semester standing
Ron McCarty, x6252,
ron@psu.edu
Creative Writing
5th semester standing minimum.
Supervisor: George Looney, x6281,
gol1@psu.edu
Education
5th semester standing minimum.
Supervisor: A faculty member within your designated major. Ex
History, English, Bio, etc.
English
5th semester standing minimum.
Supervisor: Greg Morris or any English faculty member, x6205,
glm6@psu.edu
Electrical, Software, and
Computer Engineering
Supervisor: Chris Coulston
(dept. program chair), x6988;
csc104@psu.edu
Internship program:
Wen-Li Wang , Associate Professor of
Electrical and Computer Engineering,
wxw18@psu.edu.
Electrical Engineering Technology
See Engineering Technology Handbook for requirements.
Supervisor: David Loker, x6478,
drl3@psu.edu
Finance
5th semester standing, completed Finance 300 and
Business core courses
Supervisor: Any Finance faculty member
GAS
5th semester standing minimum.
Supervisor: Any faculty member within the field you are
interning.
History
5th semester standing minimum,
Supervisor: John Rossi, x6108,
jpr2@psu.edu
International Business
5th semester standing, completed
Business core courses
Supervisor: Ken Louie, x6265,
obr@psu.edu or advisor within field of interest.
Depending on field of internship, the credits will likely be
with your other major.
Management
5th semester standing minimum, 2.5 GPA, completed
Management 300 and one other upper level management course.
Supervisor: any Marketing Professor,
Marketing
5th semester standing minimum, 2.5 GPA, completed
Marketing 300, 310, and one other upper level marketing course.
Supervisor: any Marketing Professor,
Math
5th semester standing,
Supervisor: Antonella Cupillari, x6310,
axc5@psu.edu
MBA
Supervisor: Peg Thoms, x6442,
rlt5@psu.edu
MIS
5th semester standing, completed MIS 430, internship
required for major.
Supervisor: Ido Millet, x6262,
ixm7@psu.edu
Mechanical Engineering
Supervisor: Bill Lasher, x6391,
wcl2@psu.edu
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Summer between junior/senior year for Senior Project
See Fred Nitterright for specific information, x6185,
fxn101@psu.edu
Extended Internship and/or Academic Year
Supervisor: Dave Johnson, x6480,
dhj1@psu.edu
Physics
5th semester standing
Supervisor: Darren Williams, x6008,
dmw145@psu.edu, or any
physics faculty member.
Plastics Engineering Technology
Supervisor: John Beaumont, 6482,
jpb7@psu.edu
Psychology
5th semester standing minimum, 3.0 psychology GPA,
2.5 overall GPA, completed Psy 002, Psy 015 and approval of the
site.
Supervisor: Dr. Victoria Kazmerski, x6036,
vak1@psu.edu
Political Science
5th semester standing minimum.
Supervisor: Any full-time Political Science faculty member
Science
5th semester standing minimum.
Supervisor: Jonathan Hall. X6307,
jch12@psu.edu or Anthony Foyle x6277;
amf11@psu.edu
Internship Links
National/General
Career pages
of companies/organizations
Campus Career Center
Internship
Programs
Internships.com (sign up for internships to be e-mailed
mailed to you!)
Career Builder
(search interns)
JobTrak
Job Resource
National Association of Colleges and Employers
Federal
Government Formal Internship Programs
Vault.com (search intern) Great for Business Majors!
Collegegrad.com
JobWEB
Intern Web
Internjobs.com
Cities/ International/Summer
Pittsburgh Technology Council
Pittsburgh Regional Internship Center
Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce (search jobs)
Interns
Plus (central PA internships, 11 counties)
Stay Invent
PA (click on internships in top of the page)
Federal
Government Formal Internship Programs
4 Work
BigApplehead.com
ClevelandIntern.net
InternAbroad.com
StudyAbroad.com
Rising Star
Internships
Resort
Intern Connections
Peterson's Great
Summer Jobs
Erie Chamber of
Commerce (company leads, not internships)
PA Chamber of Commerce links (company leads)
Various Fields
TechInterns.com
Premier Health & Fitness Resources
Federal
Government (minority students)
Federal
Government Formal Internship Programs
University Park
(various department contacts and internship ideas)
University Park Communication Department
University Park
Science Co-op
University
Park School of Engineering Co-op Program
CDC Handout for Biology Majors
ChemIntern.com
Biochemistry Internships
Education jobs/internships
Magazine.org
INROADS (for
minority students)
Links, Links and More
Links! Various Career Field Job Search/Career Info
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