Student Internship Process
Begin by consulting the 2007-2009 on-line College Catalog, (Academic Internship Program) for general information regarding the intent, credit hours granted, length and time commitment for internships. The most current information and processes regarding academic internships are listed below
1. Student assesses if he/she meets academic standards for a credit-bearing internship (a current minimum 2.6 GPA and 60 hours completed by the start of the internship).
2. Student has the option of attending one of the workshops offered by Career Center each semester which outlines the internship process, paperwork, and general internship resources. Times and dates are posted on on-line calendar and will be announced in other Career Center publications.
3. Student meets with a faculty member to request that he/she acts as internship advisor (this could be the academic advisor or other faculty member). If the student has not yet already found a potential internship site, the internship advisor discusses possible internship sites and projects, as well as the internship application process. The internship advisor also refers student to Career Center for additional internship leads and help with other aspects of finding an internship (resumes, interviewing skills etc.).
4. As needed, the student makes an appointment with the Career Center internship coordinator who again reviews process and paperwork, orients student to additional internship resources in the Career Center, and works with student to create a resume, cover letters etc.
5. Student submits a Registration/Add-Drop or Withdrawal/Authorization form to the Registrar’s Office during pre-registration to indicate that he/she intends to participate in a credit-bearing internship during the following semester (if absolutely necessary, the student can also do this at the beginning of the drop/add period in the semester in which he/she will be participating in an internship).
6.Student finds an organization/company that agrees to host internship, and then works closely with the faculty internship advisor to complete the Internship Learning Agreement (all forms can be found at http://www.berry.edu/stulife/career/internforms.asp ). A copy of the agreement is given to the site supervisor so he/she is aware of responsibilities and objectives. Students in the Evans School of Humanities and Social Sciences must use the slightly different Internship Learning Agreement-Evans form, located on-line with other paper work and, for these students, the internship advisor must also attach a course syllabus at this time.
7. Student then completes the Application for Academic Internship form, secures all signatures, and submits this form, along with the Internship Learning Agreement, to Office of the Provost at least one month before the start of the internship.
8. Provost reviews application packet and notifies student and internship advisor, and sends copies of paperwork to the Career Center.
9. Student attends mandatory workshop on professionalism, confidentiality etc. offered through the Career Center (contact Career Center or go to webpage to find times and dates). Internship advisors will be notified if the student does not attend (or make other arrangements to obtain information), and the student will not be allowed to participate in internship.
10. Internship advisor makes contact with the student and on-site supervisor midway through the semester, according to guidelines established by the individual department (visit, call etc.)
11. Student completes internship and required readings/ papers.
12. Near the end of the semester, the Career Center internship coordinator e-mails the student an internship evaluation and e-mails intern evaluation to site supervisor.
13. Student and on-site supervisor turn in evaluations to the Career Center internship coordinator.
14. Internship advisor evaluates internship and assigns grade.