The internship provides experiences and contacts with professionals, helping to increase the self-confidence of the student intern. The internship becomes part of the student s permanent University record, and will therefore be noted by potential employers or by educational institutions to which the intern makes application. The employer has the opportunity to direct a highly motivated individual who should become a productive worker for most of the internship period. Contact with a student allows the firm to evaluate the content of college programs, and thereby allows it to judge how the best utilize new graduates in filling current and future manpower needs. Although the employing firm is under no obligation to employ a student intern after the internship period, it does have the opportunity to recruit the proven worker for full time employment after graduation.
Students are able to participate in internships fall, spring and summer.
Whereas most students are limited for fall and spring semester to internships in the Central Illinois area, during the summer students are able to participate in programs nationwide or abroad. Students are ordinarily compensated for their employment. The student is required to complete a minimum of 135 hours of work over the term, whether fall, spring or summer. Fall and spring semesters cover a 15 week timetable and summer offers 10 weeks student availability. The completion of 135 hours, written midterm and final evaluations by the supervisor and a paper submitted by the student constitute the components of the course requirements.