An internship is both a workplace and an academic experience. Practically, interns complete writing, editing, and/or design tasks in real-life work environments. Academically, interns reflect on the connections between the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and the practices of the workplace.

An internship provides hands-on experience in a workplace environment, creates opportunities for networking with potential employers, increases your marketability, and broadens the possibilities for using your degree. Employers often value applicants with internships over those without.

Academically, the only prerequisite you need is junior standing; however, at least one upper level writing course is highly recommended. Beginning with the fall 2009 semester, Language Studies students (formerly Writing & Linguistics) will be required to complete an internship for graduation.

You may find your own internship or the director will place you in an internship. Finding your own internship opportunity is advised if you have a specific internship in mind. In either case, the director will work with you to find possibilities in your desired area. If you have a job or responsibilities that don’t allow for structured work hours, consider an internship that provides more flexible hours.

You can monitor internships and job postings on the UNO‘s Maverick HireWire at http://unoceo.unomaha.edu/hirewire.php, but do not limit yourself to this one resource. Internships do not have to be located in Omaha. The director will make every effort to place you in a paid internship, but the reality is that the most (and generally the best) internships do not include compensation. However, the experience and potential employment opportunities will likely pay off when you look for a job after graduation.

Whether you plan to find your own or ask the director to place you in an internship, you should complete an internship application right away and place it in Dr. Bridgeford’s mailbox. Once an internship has been identified, you will need to interview with a prospective employer, sign a contract, and request approval from the director, who will provide a permit for registration. The director will provide you with a contract form to bring with you to the interview.

Internships require a contract (provided by the director) signed by the host organization, the intern, and the director; specific hours completed on the job; weekly activity logs; an end-of-internship reflection paper (approximately 10 pages); monthly meetings with the director and other internship students; and a supervisor’s evaluation of your work.

Requirements are determined by the number of credits registered. In addition to the hours per credit, students are expected to participate in four meetings *total of 8 hours) with the director and other internship students.

Undergraduate students must be at least a junior to apply for an internship.

Undergraduate

1 credit (minimum of 30 +8 hours)

2 credits (minimum of 60 + 8 hours)

3 credits (minimum of 90 +8 hours)

Graduate

1 credit (minimum of 45 +8 hours)

2 credits (minimum of 75 + 8 hours)

3 credits (minimum of 105 +8 hours)

To register for internship credits, students will need a permit. Upon submission of an internship, a permit will be created for you. You should register as soon as you can. Permits will be set up under ENGL 4800 for undergraduate students and ENGL 8806 for graduate students.