« Students & Alumni

What is an Internship?

An internship is a short-term, mentored work experience with a learning focus connected to a student’s major or career. Students typically complete an internship during their Junior or Senior year. Internships are often completed without credit, but may be completed for credit with faculty permission. Employers determine whether the internship is paid or unpaid.

Benefits of Completing an Internship:

- Gain practical and meaningful work experience to build a resume
- Develop professional skills employers seek
- Solidify a career path and gain networking opportunities
- Discover what it’s like to work in a particular career field
- Experience and/or live in a new geographic area
- Increase marketability and value to potential employers
- Often earn money and possibly college credit
- Obtain a job -- employers often look first to their own interns to fill full-time positions!

Pre-Plan for an Internship

• Take time to focus your personal, academic and career goals. Get help from a career counselor during drop-in hours in our Career Resource Library.
  
  
• Prepare your resume with the help of the Quick Career Guides, or receive an in-person resume critique during drop-in counseling hours.
  
  
• Determine Timing of Your Internship. Internships can occur anytime during the year and typically last about a semester. While some internships are full-time, others range from 10-30 hours per week. These details, including rate of pay, are usually negotiated between employers and interns with the guidance of a faculty adviser.

Research Credit Option

• Students who desire credit for their internship must contact the appropriate faculty/staff advisor to obtain approval and registration information prior to beginning the internship. The Career Services Center does not approve internships for credit.
  
  
• Faculty Internship Coordinators

Additional Internship Resources

• The Alumni Association can assist you with getting in touch with KSU graduates who are willing to share information about their career fields and possibly open doors to internship opportunities.
  
  
• (i)Cleveland is a professional organization designed to connect the regional business community with students seeking internships, networking and career opportunities.

• Search other internship websites.

Locate Internships

• Register with the Experience Job Board to search for internships (local, regional, and beyond) and sign up for on-campus internship interviews.
  
  
• Attend the Fall and Spring Job and Internship Fairs to meet with employers seeking students for internships.
  
  
• Learn about Ohio's Third Frontier Internship Program for opportunities in high-tech fields.

Make the Most of Your Internship

DO:

• Arrive on time
• Focus on learning all you can from professionals about the company/industry
• Listen carefully
• Ask a lot of questions
• Take initiative
• Stay busy --- talk to your supervisor if you need a new task
• Network by speaking to people in all job positions
• Find a mentor
• Accept constructive criticism gracefully
• Take the internship seriously

DONT:

• Dress too casually
• Leave work undone
• Overstep your authority
• Use the telephone or Internet for personal use
• Seem uninterested in the profession

Useful External Web Sites