What is an internship?
An internship is the supervised placement of a student in business, industry, a social or governmental agency, or other work setting for a semester or summer and for the appropriate number of college credits. It is an UPPER DIVISION learning experience which should afford students the opportunity to apply their theoretical background and skills to an experiential situation.

All internships must be preplanned. Students should begin planning early in the semester prior to their anticipated experience. The intern must have an approved Learning Agreement with the work supervisor and a college
faculty sponsor before registering for credits.

The amount of academic credit to be awarded for an internship is determined by the responsibilities provided, and the amount of time the student is to work at the site:

Fall or Spring Semester (2-12 credits)
8 - 10 hours per week for every 3 credits.

Summer ( 2-9 credits)
40 minimum total hours for each credit.

What are the prerequisites for an internship?

1. Earn Departmental or General Studies Credit.
2. Be of Junior or Senior standing (Freshmen and Sophomores are eligible for GST 303).
3. Have complete 60 semester hours.
   (Transfer students must have completed 2 semesters at Oswego)
4. Have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
5. Participate in a part-time or full-time work experience:
   1. On campus
   2. Local community
   3. Other communities
   4. Special programs - Albany, Disney World, Washington D.C.
6. Develop a Learning Agreement with a faculty member from your major or minor area of study.
7. Obtain a final grade: (H) Honors, (S) Satisfactory,
   (U) Unsatisfactory

How do I get an internship?

1. Start a semester prior to your anticipated internship (the early bird catches the worm, so to speak).
2. Go to 142 Campus Center (Experience-Based Education Office) to pick up an Orientation Workshop Schedule.
3. Attend an Orientation Workshop.
4. Fill out an Internship Application Form handed out at the orientation workshop.
5. Meet with an Experience-Based Education staff member for placement suggestions.
6. Apply to prospective internship placement sites.

Once I have an Internship Position, then what?

1. Pick up a Learning Agreement packet from Experience-Based Education. Meet with an Experience-Based Education staff member to discuss the packet.
2. Develop an Internship Learning Agreement with a faculty sponsor from your major department.
3. Obtain major department approval Signatures
   (Faculty Sponsor, Academic Advisor, Department Chair).
4. Return Agreement to 142 Campus Center for Final Approval.

After Learning Agreement approval, what next?

1. Pick up your approved learning agreement and a
   registration approval form from 142 Campus Center. If you are working, out of the Oswego area, it will be mailed to you.
2. Register for the internship.
   • Early registration can be done through the EBE office.
   • Fall/Sprint - add the credits during the Add/Drop period.
   • Summer - Register & Pay through Experience-Based Education Office.

How do I complete the internship?

1. Work the required number of hours at the work site.
   1. Fall/Spring: 8-10 hrs per week for each 3 credits.
   2. Summer: Minimum 40 hours for each credit.
2. Complete all requirements in your Learning Agreement.
3. Submit reports to 142 Campus Center in duplicate (two copies each!).

How is an internship graded?

1. H - Honors S - Satisfactory U - Unsatisfactory
2. Grade is DETERMINED by your Faculty Sponsor through:
   Evaluation of your required reports, and Work supervisor's evaluation.
   

Why do an internship?

Employment - With the tight economy and fewer jobs available, an internship experience will stand out in the eyes of employers. It will help solve the "Catch 22" Can't get a job without experience, can't get experience without a job.

Theory into Practice- An internship experience can add meaning to your academic program by allowing you to apply theories and knowledge learnedin the classroom to actual work situations.

New Knowledge- It provides you with opportunities to acquire knowledge or methods specific to a field or workplace that may not be covered in the classroom.

Learn by Doing - An internship provides you with an alternative method of learning through actual hands-on experience.

Expectations of the World of Work - Through working with professionals you have the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of their responsibilities as well as the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to be effective in the workplace.

Personal Growth - Having to solve problems in new unfamiliar situations can enhance your self-confidence and point out areas which you need to improve.

Awareness Through Community Involvement - You will develop a better understanding of your role and potential contributions to society.