Student Guide to Internships

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What is an internship?

A carefully monitored work or service experience in which an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what she or he is learning throughout the experience.

Part of an educational program and carefully monitored and evaluated for academic credit, or part of a learning plan that the intern develops.

Internships vary in duration. They can be part-time or full-time, paid or unpaid. The important element that distinguishes an internship from a short-term job is the intentional “learning agenda” that the intern brings to the experience and the employer provides.

Students who have completed an internship are more likely to

  • Find a job in desired field
  • Make more money
  • Have more job offers at graduation
  • Have greater job satisfaction
  • Have extended exposure to potential employers
  • Make rapid advancements in the organization
  • Get a solid lead with at least one employer
  • Gain job references
  • Possibly learn about something they don't like to do

Internships help students

  • Apply knowledge acquired in the classroom to real-world situations.
  • Develop analytical thinking skills and their discipline and its role in the modern world.
  • Clarify attitudes about careers in their field.
  • Improve time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.

The Internship Program at Career Services provides:

  • Career counselors who offer guidance on search strategies, networking, resumes, interviewing, and developing your own internship
  • Job & Internship Search Strategy Groups and mock interviews.
  • Opportunities to interview for positions through the on-campus interview program and Career Expo.
  • Online and print resources to identify opportunities and referrals.
  • A monthly newsletter that lists current internship openings.

Every WSU student can participate! Sometimes it is possible to arrange a part-time internship locally while attending classes. More often, students use the summer to complete an internship or take a semester off to intern during the fall or spring semester.

Be sure to look carefully at the internship announcements. Some organizations require that you have completed a certain amount of coursework before you are eligible to apply. Other internship opportunities are more flexible. Check with your academic department’s internship coordinator to find out about the requirements to receive academic credit for the experience.

To get started:

  1. Go to the Student Employment Center where you can view job & internship openings on-campus and off-campus, apply to opportunities, and subscribe to JobMail.
  2. Register and upload a resume with Career Services via MonsterTRAK.
    • Login or register to MonsterTRAK
    • Draft a resume (use the resource center if you need help getting started). Stop in to have it critiqued by a career counselor during drop in hours or at an appointment.
    • Upload your resume online (make sure to indicate that you are seeking an internship in the job type preference section).
  3. Meet with a career counselor during drop-in hours (2:00-4:00 , Mon-Fri), a workshop, or an individual appointment (call 335-2546 to schedule) to:
    • Explore your interests, skills, and values to determine the type of internship to pursue
    • Receive guidance on where to look for internships, how to network, and how to develop your own internship
  4. Participate in a Job and Internship Search Strategy Group that meets weekly.
  5. Participate in on-campus interviews (for positions in WA and nationwide)
    • Visit InterviewTRAK on MonsterTRAK weekly to sign up for interviews for internship or summer positions.
  6. Check internship listings each week and apply for opportunities
    • Review the job and internship listings at the Student Employment Center weekly and apply for opportunities.
    • Review the Job and Internship Listings on MonsterTRAK weekly and apply for opportunities.
    • Look for internship announcements in your academic department or meet with your internship coordinator for your major.
  7. Participate in career fair events and follow up with employers of interest. Close to 200 employers attend each career fair. Many employers have internship opportunities available!
  8. Mock Interview Day is held the day before each Expo. It allows you to practice your interview skills with an industry recruiter. Sign up during the month prior to Expo. Or schedule a mock interview with a career counselor anytime throughout the year.
  9. Utilize resources to create your own internship if desired.
    • Conduct informational interviews with professionals in your field of interest. Utilize Career Search and the Career Contact and Alumni Network to identify potential contacts.
    • Stop by Career Services to use such resources as The Internship Bible, The Yale Daily News Guide to Internships, America’s Top Internships, and many others. Also visit our web page for links to internships.
  10. Report your offers
    • When you receive an internship offer (whether you accept it or not), let us know. Go to www.careers.wsu.edu and login to MonsterTRAK, then go to User Profile. Select “placement data”, then “submit” and complete the offer form.

Frequently Asked Questions about internships

For more information, contact Career Services by stopping by 180 Lighty, calling 509-335-2546, or email us.