Internships provide an opportunity to enhance student growth and professional development through planned, supervised work experience in career- related positions with a wide variety of companies, agencies, and other community partners. Internships provide on the job experiences, allow students to develop NACE Career Readiness Competencies and effective work habits and learn other laboratory/clinical skills.
Academic internships can truly enhance the student’s education by expanding skill sets and exposure to real world situations. Research shows that students who are involved in high-impact practices (HIPs) including evidenced based practices
like internships, enjoy higher levels of learning success.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Position Statement on U.S. Internships defines an internship as “a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths and [they also] give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.”
For an internship to be a successful learning tool, several individuals must work together: the student, their academic advisor, their faculty internship sponsor (may or may not be the faculty advisor), and the employer/site supervisor. Faculty advisors/sponsors are responsible for abiding by departmental internship policies, guiding students through the learning process, and supervising all assigned coursework, in addition to providing a final grade for students who take internships for course credit.
The Career Development Center at Thiel College supports, adheres to and complies with the Principles for Professional Conduct for Career Services & Employment Professionals as defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Click here for complete information regarding these Principles and Standards.
An internship experience can give students a competitive edge as they launch into life after Thiel and the ever-changing job markets by:
Note: If any student questions the legitimacy of an advertised internship (questionable interview practices, the expectation of investing personal money in an opportunity, being asked to work in a private residence, etc.), the student should notify a Career Development Center and faculty sponsor immediately before committing to an opportunity.
Getting an internship takes advanced planning & preparation.
Academic credit is awarded for internships based on the academic work done in support of the internship experience. Additionally, all credit-bearing internships must be overseen by a Thiel College faculty member who will design and grade the academic assignments for the internship. On the internship agreements, this person is defined as the faculty sponsor.
Requirements for internships are determined by individual departments, so students should meet with their faculty advisor to understand the requirements and expectations of internships within their major(s). Internships may be taken for one, two, three, or four semester credit hours. The General Rule for obtaining internship credits/hours:
Thiel college students who want their non-credit internship experience to be recognized by the College are required to complete the non-credit internship registration form in College Central.