Important: Click here for the pre internship planning steps and deadlines sheet to find out how the RCC for academic credit internship process works and what steps you need to take to begin the process.
If your major requires you to complete an academic for credit internship click here to fill out the Pre-Internship Questionnaire.
**This questionnaire is only for students whose major requires them to complete an internship.
Competition has been on the rise for good jobs, which means that college students have to get extra creative when it comes to distinguishing themselves from others. Employers are looking for students that have real-world work experience. One of the best ways to increase your competitive edge and employability is to complete an internship during college.
By participating in an internship, you’ll develop valuable skills that you wouldn’t necessarily get from just taking classes in school. In an internship setting, you will learn to work well with others in a professional environment, manage difficult work situations, and sharpen your business etiquette, and increase your industry knowledge. These are just some of the many things that you’ll learn, that will come in handy once you enter the workforce!
Most internships can be categorized into five general categories:
Ready to complete an internship?
Important: Preparation for completing a for- academic credit internship must begin the semester BEFORE you want to complete your internship. ** See pre-internship planning steps and deadlines handout.
Note:
Internships provide an excellent opportunity for students to gain valuable work experience
and make connections with professionals in their field. However, sometimes internship
placements do not always work out and internship sites can become unconducive to
supportive learning. Additionally, there may be times when a student faces a hardship
such as an illness or an unforeseen circumstance which interferes with their ability
to be productive at an internship site. Therefore, student should immediately report
any internship problems to their faculty internship advisor and the career services
office.
What is the process for completing a non-credit internship? You do not need to obtain permission from RCC to complete a non-credit internship.
Additionally, most programs of study at RCC do not require a for-academic credit internship
in order to graduate. All students are free to pursue non-credit internship opportunities
on their own. However, if you would like assistance in finding a non-credit internship
or have any questions about non-credit internships, please contact career services.
An Internship is …
An internship is an experiential academic experience in which a student has intentional learning goals/objectives with measurable outcomes. The college has worked hard to build strategic relationships with companies and organizations in the community so that students can have professional and productive internship experiences. When a student participates in an internship they represent the college and it is therefore important for students to understand what an internship is and what an internship is not. Student learning goals/objectives should include:
An internship is designed as an exchange. The student agrees to complete work that will benefit the host organization and in return is offered the opportunity to learn new skills, expand his or her knowledge of a particular field and explore career options. Employers offer internships for many reasons. They see student interns as fruitful and economical resources with which they can accomplish projects not otherwise possible. They believe interns bring enthusiasm and new ideas into work settings and make strong employees. Just as importantly, employers feel an increasing commitment to education and want to help train students to assume responsible roles in society.
An Internship Is Not...
During your internship we recommend that you maintain realistic expectations in regard to your internship experience. The following is a list of things an internship is not:
Google is your Friend search for internship opportunities on-line.
Look for public, private, or nonprofit organizations focusing on your particular program of study or your social mission.
Check out internship postings on Handshake
\Use your personal and professional networks. Tell a professor, a family member, or a friend about what kind of opportunity you’re looking for. Partner with the coordinator of career planning and placement at RCC and ask for assistance!
Look ahead: When would be the best time to complete your internship? Consider your course load, family/personal issues, and your work schedule if you are employed. You must complete 150 hours of work at your internship site. This normally averages out to 15-20 hours a week during the semester.
Know what you are signing up for: Each organization should have an internship job description. Make sure that you read it carefully. It is important to get a realistic idea of what the position entails. Ask questions such as: What is a typical day like in this role? Who will my supervisor be? Will I gain industry knowledge and transferable skills that will prepare me for the next step in my career?
Remember who you represent: As a Roxbury Community College student intern, you not only represent yourself, but you also represent RCC. Your actions and attitude at an internship site should always reflect professionalism.
RCC encourages students to identify internships that align with your academic and professional goals and that fairly compensate you for your work. However, not all internships are paid and if you obtain an internship that is not paid we recommend that you become familiar with the U.S. guidelines regarding unpaid internships for for-profit entities. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, interns are entitled to receive at least minimum wage unless the position may be categorized as a Trainee/Learner position. The U.S. Department of Labor has established a six-part test for “for-profit” organizations to determine whether a position qualifies as a Trainee/Learner position and may be unpaid.