Students must work 30 hours to earn one credit of internship. Some programs require an internship or cooperative work experience to complete a degree or certificate. In other departments internships are elective courses. But internships have real advantages for students in a variety of ways. An internship provides an opportunity to explore various career choices as well as to gain real work experience in a chosen field.
Internships help students who are transferring to make career decisions about areas of major study.
Students develop crucial job search skills and make valuable professional contacts for future employment. Internships often lead to employment. Finally internships allow students to apply classroom theory to real work situations and demonstrate abilities in critical thinking, group interaction, written and oral communication and quantitative skills, as well a technical and professional skills. Internships may be either paid or unpaid. Unpaid internships often offer opportunities to explore new career directions and job experiences that would not normally be available at entry level.