Internships

What is an internship?

An internship is a chance for you to earn college credit while gaining valuable, hands-on work experience. Anywhere from 1 to 12 credits of internship can be earned during a semester, and a total of 18 can be applied toward a degree at CSC. Internship can be done in almost any academic department and can be used as elective and/or upper-division credits. Graduate internship credits are available in a few departments. Internship credits cost the same amount as any other course credits and will be displayed on your college transcript.

Why should I consider an internship?

There are several reasons: By getting hands-on experience, you are better informed about careers, which can assist you in choosing an academic/degree program.

Having real work experience can help you in your job search. Interns develop employment contacts and references and have an advantage as job seekers upon graduation. CSC Graduates are surveyed the fall after graduation, and 61% of those who report they are employed also report having done an internship. Well over half of those graduates believe that their internship experience contributed a lot or quite a bit toward their employment status.

How do I do an internship?

To enroll in an internship, students will follow the process outlined below.

  1. Faculty and START Advisors in programs with an upper-division internship or career scholarship requirement should discuss this process with students within their first two years. Students are encouraged to include an internship within their plan of study.
  2. Students must identify an appropriate internship site before completing the Internship Enrollment Form (see Forms below).
  3. Once an internship site and supervisor have been selected, students will request a meeting with their faculty advisor.
  4. If the site and supervisor are approved, the faculty advisor will sign the enrollment form and submit it to the appropriate school dean.
  5. Upon approval, the dean’s office assistant (OA) will enroll the student in the designated internship course section.
  6. Once enrolled, the student will complete all course requirements through the Canvas shell, as outlined in the instructor’s syllabus.

Forms

Faculty Procedure

  1. Each academic department with an internship requirement must designate an instructor of record when submitting course schedules each semester.
  2. Faculty advisors will meet with students to complete the Internship Enrollment Form. Once approved, the form should be submitted to the supervising dean.
  3. If approved by the dean, the dean’s OA will enroll the student in the appropriate internship course section.

Chadron State College joins approximately 1200 universities and colleges across the nation in offering an internship program. Statistics show that approximately 60 percent of the students who do internships are offered permanent employment by their internship supervisors upon graduation. Thus the internship opportunity constitutes an additional, important element in the students’ educational processes.

Following please find basic employer information regarding the CSC popular program:

Eligibility for Internship

  • Students must complete 30 credit hours before starting an internship position. (sophomore status)
  • Students must complete the necessary application process and obtain approval from their academic supervisor and the Internship & Career Services office.

Employer Responsibilities

  • Students are asked to write learning outcomes in collaboration with their faculty and internship supervisor.
  • The internship supervisor is responsible for orientation, training, safety instructions, and an overview of the company’s policies and procedures.
  • The internship supervisor will be asked to sign the Internship & Career Services Training Agreement prior to the start of the internship.
  • The internship supervisor will be asked to complete a one-page midterm and final evaluation of the student’s performance on a form provided. In addition, the student will ask the supervisor to sign the weekly activity journals.
  • Students may receive compensation for their work, and the amount is negotiated between the employer and student. Compensation is not a requirement of the Internship & Career Services office.

Employer Benefits

  • Interns are an excellent source of highly motivated pre-professionals.
  • Professional release time is generated for permanent staff by assigning consuming essential tasks to the intern.
  • Supervisors have an observation period without long-term employment commitments.
  • Supervisors receive an enhanced company understanding of the educational process.

The Career and Academic Planning staff will provide assistance and guidance as needed throughout the internship experience.

Deena Kennell, Director
Internships and Career Services
P: (308) 432-6467
E: dkennell@csc.edu