Why do an Internship?

Getting Started

Why do you want an internship -- and what do you hope to gain from it?
To learn new skills and develop your personal and professional interests. Expand your personal network and make connections. Gain valuable work experience. Try something new and exciting!

What type of organization are you interested in?
Organizations come in all sizes and shapes, from Fortune 500 companies to non-government organizations (NGO's) to not-for-profit organizations. Things to consider include size, location, corporate culture, potential for professional growth, etc.

What industry would best suit your needs?
Even when you know exactly what you want to do, you may not know the type of industry or organization that best suits you. For example, if you are a natural-born mathematician, you can work in any industry; however, being an accountant is quite different from teaching college-level calculus. Research industries to find ones that interst you.

Where do you want to have your internship?
During the regular semester, you need it to be nearby; during the summer months you have more flexibility with location. You may prefer to stay close to home, go elsewhere in the U.S., or pursue an international internship.

Will you consider both paid and nonpaid internships?
It would be great if you could always get paid to do something you really enjoy when you trying different experiences!  In reality, many internships do not come with a stipend, especially in certain industries, because you are trying an experience versus committing to an experience. So, you need to decide if what you will learn is worth the cost to you (and your family). The College does support a small number (roughly 200 students per summer) of awards to support summer experiences. However, most of these award stipends cover actual expenses you will incur to participate in your summer internship or research experience.

Do you want college credit for the internship?
If you do, this means that you should begin conversation with your academic advisor to learn how to develop an independent study. At Mount Holyoke, students can do an internship the subsequent semester after completing an internship by signing up for an independent study with a faculy member (295P or 395P). While this is a wonderful opportunity, it does take a little more planning and collaboration since you will need a faculty advisor for your independent study. As this change occured Summer 2006, students who interned Summer 2006 and would like to enroll in an independent study are ecouraged to do so Spring or Fall 2007. If you need you need a copy of your internship registration and evaluation materials to review with your faculty advisor, please send your request by email cdc@mtholyoke.edu.

The handout Simple Steps to Developing Your Internship [pdf] will give you an overview of an effective process you can use to secure an internship.

Many companies have formal internship programs and regularly advertise for these positions. If however, there is an organization where you’d like to work, but you don’t think that it has an internship program, be proactive about creating your own opportunity.

How can you best do this?

Research the organization thoroughly. Determine in advance why the department should take you on as an intern, and what value you can add to its current work. What specific strengths, previous experience and transferable skills can you offer?

Contact a person working in the area where you would like to be, and offer to work as an intern. If the organization is in the non-profit or public sectors, let him/her know that it is likely you can get supplemental funding from Mount Holyoke College (see Universal Application process and policy). Be clear about why you are approaching this organization (or person) specifically, and what you have to offer.

Remember, it is in your interest to make the process as easy as possible for the hiring manager. Keep your goals in mind, but be enthusiastic and flexible–especially if he/she has never had an intern before!