What is an internship?
Internships are a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional workplace setting.
Why intern?
Interns gain valuable applied experience, explore career fields, and make connections in professional fields. Additionally, internships often lead to full-time employment opportunities. Employers use internships as a way to identify and evaluate potential candidates for professional positions.
Paid vs. unpaid
Internships can be paid, but employers can offer internships that are unpaid. We strongly recommend that organizations pay their interns, but you will find some unpaid and credit-bearing internships on Handshake and other recommended internship sites. Students can use filters on Handshake to identify paid internship opportunities.
Carefully consider if you need to have a paid internship. Students shouldn’t feel compelled to take an unpaid position. Students can also inquire about the possibility of a stipend, a lump sum of money paid to interns as an alternative to a salary.
Academic credit
Employers may advertise internships for course credit; however, your department must evaluate whether or not academic credit is possible. Just because an employer says it will offer credit, doesn’t mean it will be granted. Research the course catalog for an internship class offered in your major and reach out to your academic or faculty advisor for approval.
Some MU academic divisions and departments require internships for their degree program. Pay attention to requirements and timing of internships, and tap into available resources to help you acquire one.
