Internships & Co-ops

Internships are a great training and testing ground both for the employer and the student. Internships vary in the amount of pay, academic credit offered, type of supervision, mentoring you receive, length of your work appointment, and the amount of learning you will do.

How do I find an internship?

What do you need to keep in mind when considering where to do an internship?

  • Paid vs.Unpaid
    Many internships offer students an internship stipend or an hourly wage. However, don't forget that unpaid internships can offer valuable work experiences and networking opportunities. These connections, training, and an understanding of the field can make the lack of pay less significant. Regardless of whether the internships is paid, check with your academic advisor to ensure you will receive academic credit for your work. Make sure you contact your academic advisor as soon as possible so that you have enough time to receive approval and to file the appropriate paperwork.
  • Mentor-Led vs. Self-Directed
    Do you work best on your own? If so, self-directed internships in which you create your structure, develop and monitor your own work may be the best option for you. However, if you feel you need more direction or if you are interested in learning a particular technique, technology, or skill, then a mentor-led internship will be best for you. Regardless of the type of internship, be clear with your supervisor about your expectations.
  • Term-Time or Summertime
    Some internships are offered all year around. However, before you accept an internship during the academic term, make sure that your internship will not interfere with your school work and you can still maintain your work schedule at UPS. Many internships, however, are offered during the summertime. Organizations want to ensure that they have enough work to keep students busy and don't want students to compromise the quality of their academics while interning. Don't wait until the end of Spring term to think about a summer internship though. Plan ahead of time to ensure that you are taking the necessary course load during the spring and fall. Also begin networking with employers during the Fall semester and early Spring semester. In some cases, employers interview for internships a full year in advance.

How can you make the most of your internship experience?

  1. Be responsible. Show up on time, dress appropriately, work hard, and limit the amount of time you spend socializing.
  2. Take initiative. If you don't have enough to work on, tell your supervisor you are ready to take on additional work. Volunteer for projects and ask to attend seminars or sit in on meetings (when appropriate). If there is something you want to do, ask.
  3. Be self-sufficient. Impress your supervisor by completing your projects on time and doing them well. However, don't assume you know everything. If you knew everything already, you wouldn't need an internship.
  4. Observe the company culture. A company's atmosphere can reflect the industry as a whole and your clue as to whether a career in the field is right for you. What kind of hours are employees working? Do people work together or separately? Do employees look stressed?
  5. Network. Interact with coworkers whenever possible. Ask them how they got their jobs, what they do, and what kind of training they have. Also, find out what people think are the current trends in their industry, what books you should read, or what articles will tell you more about the industry.
  6. Use your experience to land a job. If you want to work for the company after you graduate, stay in touch with your contacts. Even if you do not pursue a position with the company, the contacts you made during the experience can serve as references. Keep copies of presentations, articles, etc that highlight your internship experience. It will set you apart from applicants with no on-the-job experience.

Related Links