Internships and Employment

An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.

Internships are very important in a student’s career development. Through an internship, students can:

• Determine if this is an appropriate career path.
• Find out how to prepare for a career in a specific field.
• Develop a network of professional contacts for future opportunities and references.
• Learn about the workplace skills to develop in order to build a strong resume.
• Find out what to expect when transitioning into a full-time job

When applying for experiences labeled as internships, you should look to see if the experiences meet the following criteria as outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) definition:

• The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
• The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
• The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
• There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
• There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
• There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
• There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.

The search for an internship can be just as time-consuming as the search for a full-time position, so be sure to start early and use all of your resources! For the internship coordinator for your major and academic school, please contact your program coordinator or dean. Remember to also log into RU Works-Purple Briefcase to see all of the available opportunities.