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Internships

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Real World Opportunities
and
Winning Partnerships

What is an internship?

Internships provide a valuable experience for both the student and sponsoring organization. While internships can be paid or unpaid, they are not considered the same as part-time employment or volunteer work. Internships, which are typically 3 to 6 months in duration, are guided by a structured learning plan that includes specific educational objectives. Additionally, internships:

  • Allow the student to engage in higher-level thinking and functioning in an activity or series of activities relating to his/her chosen career field,
  • Provide a supplemental learning experience in which students can apply and reinforce the skills and knowledge that have been acquired through the completion of upper-level courses pertinent to his/her major,
  • Offer real-world perspectives on potential careers and opportunities in the student’s career field while providing valuable insight in organizational behavior,
  • Do not regularly engage the student in routine tasks (i.e., answering telephones, filing) that are typically performed by a paid employee of the organization,
  • Present the opportunity for students to function as pre-professionals and contribute to the advancement of the host organization while being mentored by an assigned supervisor.

 *Note: Additional criteria may apply based on departmental guidelines governing internships at Pitt-Johnstown.

Last Reviewed: September 7, 2007
Copyright © 2008
The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown