What is an internship?
The benefits of workplace learning are varied and numerous. Internships/Co-ops may permit you to:
- An academically-sponsored career-related work experience that may also provide you an opportunity to earn academic credits.
- Typically, you may work between 120 to 320 hours in a given semester to earn a specified number of credit hours (10-20 site contact hours per week).
- Projects, research papers and/or reflective journal may be required by faculty for evaluation and reporting purposes.
- Fall and spring internships are part-time (generally 10-20 hrs per week): summer internships may be full or part-time.
- May be paid or unpaid opportunities; Fair Employment Act should be considered.
- Many internships are not for credit.
What is a co-op?
- A career-related educational program to help you gain experience before you graduate.
- A paid work experience in a professional environment that may require a contractual agreement.
- You may work alternate full-time semesters (combining a summer with either fall or spring semester) with full-time semesters of school.
- Co-ops may be available in some fields. Check with your college for co-op programs.