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All About Internships & Co-Ops

#RUCareerRead

We share the who, why, when, what and how.

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  • EVERYONE!  Whether your major requires you to complete an internship or not, everyone should participate in at least one internship, co-op or experiential learning opportunity during their time at Eastern.
    • Acquire real world work experience in a field of interest.
    • Determine if your career choice is a good fit for you.
    • Get an inside look at the industry/vocation you are pursuing.
    • Practically apply skills and content knowledge in the work world.
    • Develop and build connections, a.k.a. your network.
    • Build out your resume and increase your employability factor.
    • Start early! As soon as the summer following your first-year at Eastern.
    • Consider completing multiple internships to gain more experience, grow your network and narrow your scope.
    • Internships can be completed in any semester: fall, spring or summer.
    • Pay:  Do you need to be paid, or can you take an unpaid position?
    • Location:  Can you travel to your internship?  How far?  Do you have family or friends who could host you for the period of your internship?
    • Industry/Function: Does the internship match or mirror you area of interest?
    • Organization:  What size company are you looking for? What is their culture? Will you receive quality mentoring?
    • Deadlines:  Competitive internships with well known companies generally have early application deadlines, sometimes up to a year in advance.  Government agencies frequently require extensive background checks that take time as well.
    • GPA:  Some employers do have minimum GPA requirements, often requiring 3.0 or higher.
  • Visit our Search Tools page to get your search started!
  • What's the difference?  Basically, one is unpaid while the other is paid.  Here's what you really need to know regarding the difference.

     

    Academic Credit Internships

    • When completing an internship for academic credit, it is important for you to work with your faculty advisor and academic department in completing the registration process.
    • Internships completed in the Fall or Spring semester will not incur any additional tuition fees, provided you do not exceed a total of 18 credits for the semester.
    • Summer internships for credit will incur tuition expenses. 
    • Credits must be earned in the semester the internship is completed.

    Note: Unpaid, non-credit internships are subject to scrutiny by the Department of Labor. When participating in an unpaid, non-credit internship, students are encouraged to ask if the employer is following guidelines in the Fair Labor Standards Act, to ensure liability compliance.

     NACE Position Statement on U.S. Internships

     

    Co-Ops (Paid Internships)

    • Most paid internships do not qualify for academic credit.  You should check with your academic department regarding their policy.
    • Paid internships may offer an hourly wage, salary, or stipend and could include housing, meals or a travel allowance.
    • Register your Co-Op with the Center for Internships and Career Development to receive documentation of your experience on your official transcript!