[For-Credit] Internship Program
This page has been created to assist you with answering any questions you may have about the [For-Credit] Internship Program on campus. Please feel free to contact the Office of Career Development at 573-876-7101 or x4101 if you need assistance after reviewing the information below.
An internship is:
- an opportunity for the student to apply classroom knowledge in a professional work setting
- a way to explore different career paths and potential emphasis areas of the student's major
- an entry-level learning experience that will better prepare a student for their future career
- an experience which will allow the student to meet and network with other "players" in their field
- a way to learn about a prospective employer's culture and management style
An internship is NOT:
- a part-time or full-time job or volunteer position
- an opportunity for the student to perform routine work/labor in return for a paycheck
What are the main differences between an internship and a part/full-time job or volunteer position?
An internship should strongly relate to the student's academic program and/or career goals. An internship should also be a learning experience for the intern. Try asking yourself, "Where do I want to be after I graduate? and How will this experience help prepare me to get there?" If you don't know where you want to be after you graduate, try asking yourself, "How will this experience help me figure out where I want to go?" An internship should assist you with the answers to these questions.
What are the [for-credit] internship requirements?
The internship must:
- be at least 140 hours
- relate to the student's academic program and/or career goals
- contain an academic/learning component)
- have defined learning objectives
- be supervised at the internship site
- [can] be paid or unpaid
- be completed after taking the INT 210 Internship Development course, if applicable see checksheet for majors (retroactive credit will not be awarded)
- be approved by the Faculty Sponsor
- have a completed Inter-Departmental [For-Credit] Internship Contract on file in the Office of Career Development before starting an internship
How do I find an internship?
The Office of Career Development has available to you a database of employer contact information and available internships. You can search through the Stephens CSM database at https://stephens-csm.symplicity.com/students/. If you are a first time user, you will need to create an account for yourself before you can access the system. When registering, you must use your Stephens student email address.
Please feel free to set up an appointment with Amanda Roberts, Director of Career Development, at aroberts@stephens.edu for assistance with researching internships. You can also view a list of helpful internships sites for your major by clicking HERE.
Other internship sources:
- On-campus recruiter
- Friends/family/instructors
- Career fairs
- Employee referrals
What is the process for establishing a [for-credit] internship?
- First successfully complete the INT 210 Internship Development course for your major (1 credit), if applicable see checksheet for your major.
- Carefully review the requirements of a [for-credit] internship. Talk to your Faculty Sponsor or the Office of Career Development if you need any clarification.
- Search and apply for internships that meet the applicable [for-credit] internship requirements.
- After the employer has selected you for the internship and you have accepted, obtain a copy of the Inter-Departmental [For-Credit] Internship Contract. See below.
- Complete the contract in full and mail to: Amanda Roberts, Stephens College, Campus Box 2123, 1200 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65215; or drop them off to: Amanda Roberts in 211 Stamper Commons before you begin working at your internship.
- Work at your internship following your employer's instructions.
- Once you have completed your internship as discussed with your employer and have met the 140-hour requirement, you will need to successfully complete the appropriate post-internship class for your major. You may need to refer to the checksheet for your major and/or consult with your advisor to determine the required course for your major.
Internship Contract:
Contracts are available in the Career Development Office or you can download a contract by clicking HERE. If you download the contract, please type in the required information prior to printing off the document for signatures.
What are the expectations of me in my role as intern?
Please review the Internship Guidelines and Policies associated with internships by clicking HERE
Other Frequently Asked Questions
When should I take the INT 210 Internship Development course?
- The INT 210 Internship Development course is usually taken during a student's Junior year and must occur before seeking a [for-credit] internship, if applicable see the checksheet for your major. While the class is open to all students for enrollment, it is recommended that students take the class either during their Sophomore or Junior year.
When will I do my internship?
- Because it can be difficult to do an internship while taking classes, students usually do their internship in the summer. The vast majority of students will take their internship during the summer between their Junior and Senior year. Any internship you wish to do for credit must take place after you have taken and successfully completed the INT 210 Internship Development course, if applicable see the checksheet for your major, and submitted a completed Inter-Departmental [For-Credit] Internship Contract. No retroactive credit will be granted.
Can I do more than one internship?
- Students are welcome to do as many internships as they like. However, only one internship can be counted for credit. The internship to be counted for credit must take place after the INT 210 Internship Development course, if applicable see the checksheet for your major, and turning in a completed Inter-Departmental [For-Credit] Internship Contract. No retroactive credit will be granted.
Which post-internship class do I need to take? Do I need to take a post-internship class?
- You will need to refer to the checksheet for your major and/or speak with your advisor to determine this answer. Typically, students will take either BUS 496, FAS 496, or EBM 494 (2 credits). However, there is variation among majors.
How much credit will I get for my internship?
- This can be a tricky question. You generally won't receive any credit directly for your internship. Credit for the internship is awarded through the INT 210 Internship Development course (1 credit) and the post-internship course (2 credits) for your major. The internship is typically a componet of the post-internship course. Since internships are usually done during the summer, the costs associated with receiving credit for your internship can be assumed through your regular tuition if the credit is factored into the internship courses as opposed to the internship itself.
Why is an internship required for my major?
- As it says in the mission of Stephens College, we prepare "career-ready women of distinction." Internships are important for preparing you for a professional career. They can help you discover what areas of emphasis you like and dislike, as well as give you important career skills applicable to your field. You should consult the checksheet for your major and/or advisor for requirements specific to your major.
Will Stephens College provide me with an internship?
- Stephens College will not provide you with an internship. It is the responsibility of the student to go through the process of searching and applying for any internships s/he is interested in. This process will help the student prepare for exiting college having already learned important job searching skills. However, the Office of Career Development is here to provide resources and assist you in building a resume, writing a cover letter and/or preparing you for an interview. You can schedule a one-on-one appointment with the Office of Career Development to learn how to search for internships. In addition, there are a variety of workshops on campus to assist with the process. We will go over job search process in the INT 210 Internship Development course as well.
