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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.

 
Benefits for Students

Internships provide students with many distinct advantages as they prepare for their careers:

  • On-the-job learning, which provides a real-world perspective on your chosen career,
  • Opportunity to network with other professionals, making valuable contacts that could lead to permanent employment,
  • First-hand experience with the issues and trends in your career field,
  • A distinct advantage over others entering the job market,
  • Ability to develop a comprehensive portfolio to present to prospective employers.
Benefits for Employers

Benefits to organizations hosting an academic internship are numerous and include:

  • New ideas and fresh perspectives on old problems,
  • Cost effective way to expand your organization’s capabilities with motivated, skilled professionals,
  • Ability to contribute to economic development through the creation of a trained workforce,
  • A valuable link to the resources of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown,
  • Ability to develop and implement special projects that would not be possible with current staffing levels,
  • Opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise with someone preparing to enter your field.
Contact Information

For more information on internships at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, please contact any of the following individuals:

Business Management:
Marketing, Finance, Accounting,
Information Science, & Human Resources
Douglas Reed
814-269-2936
dougreed@pitt.edu

Computer Science
Patricia Hagerich
814-269-2919
pat@pitt.edu

Communication/Public Relations
Dr. Diane Nicodemus
814-269-7162
dnicodem@pitt.edu

Environmental Studies/Geography
Dr. Mary Lavine
814-269-2992
mlavine@pitt.edu

Geology
Dr. Jack Beuthin
814-269-2945
beuthin@pitt.edu

Journalism
Leland Wood
814-269-7146 l
wood@pitt.edu

Psychology
Dr. Alan Teich
814-269-2901
ateich@pitt.edu

Last Reviewed: August 11, 2011


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