Internships
An Overview
An internship combines the knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with the practical application of skills developed in a professional setting. Internships provide students the opportunity to gain valuable experience and make connections in their professional fields of interest while giving employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.
THE INCLUSIVE INTERNSHIP PROJECT
Get Paid for your Internship!
Through the generous gift from the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, undergraduates looking to participate in an internship with an organization – such as local non-profits, small or medium businesses, or government agencies – that would otherwise be unpaid may qualify for a stipend of up to $2,500!
The Inclusive Internship Project works to support Edgewood College student interns for the work they do at otherwise unpaid internships in the Dane County area. Working with nearly 80 organizations throughout the Dane County area, there is no lack of experience to be gained, fields of study to explore, or communities to be served.
Goals of the Program
- Enhance the educational experience of students Decrease financial burden of students and organization that need interns
- Build community partnerships between Dane County local organizations and Edgewood College
Contact Us
Ian McArthur
Assistant Director of Career Development
(608) 663-4152
imcarthur@edgewood.edu
About the Inclusive Internship Project
The community needs a strong workforce—beyond quantity of workers, our economy will benefit from the contributions of quality employees. This includes not only technical skills, but also excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability for self-management. These “soft skills” can be learned on-the-job, but students who learn these early will be able to contribute to their companies faster and more efficiently. By participating in the Inclusive Internship Project, students are gaining valuable experience, a stipend appropriated to the number of hours worked, and aiding in the growth of greater Madison area small/medium, government, and not-for-profit businesses.
Enriched learning experiences – such as internships – play a critical role in students’ personal and professional development, but unpaid internships may also create financial barriers for students. We believe that internship experiences and experience should be equally accessible to all students. Thanks to the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation’s gift to Edgewood College, we are able to provide stipends to undergraduate students through the Inclusive Internship Project. This program this program supports students while participating in an internship with an organization that would otherwise by unpaid.
Internship Eligibility Requirements
Students may already have an internship arranged OR obtain assistance finding an internship through the Inclusive Internship Project Coordinator in Career Development. Available internships from already partnered organizations can be found on Handshake by using the “Inclusive Internship Project Partner” filter on the Job search function.
Selection Criteria
Stipends are offered on a rolling, first-come, first-served, basis. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as an internship opportunity is identified and/or as soon as there is interested in participating in the program and finding an internship. The stipend is guaranteed when the Contract between the Student and their internship Organization has been completed, submitted and fully approved. The Inclusive Internship Project can support 40 students total within one academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer). Students who have an unpaid internship are encouraged to apply. Students who are looking for an internship in Dane County are encouraged to apply.
Student Eligibility Requirements
- – Student must be enrolled as an undergraduate at Edgewood College
- – Student must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA
- – Student must be able to enroll in an Edgewood College internship during the term they are interning
- – Student must be a degree-seeking student
- – If Student has not completed the Internship Prep Course at Edgewood College prior to an internship, student must complete the Internship Prep Course modules on Blackboard during the term of their internship
How to Apply
Students, please log in to your Handshake account, then access the application through this link:
Don’t have a Handshake account yet? Students can activate their account by using their Edgewood College student email and password. Please use this quick video if you need help logging on.
Organization Eligibility Requirements
- – Organization must be at least one of the following: Not-for-profit; Government agency; Small to medium size start-up/business
- – Organization must reside within Dane County, WI
- – Organization must be able to provide and on-site internship supervisor when an intern is present
- – Organization has internships that are unpaid – Organization must be able to demonstrate the need for financial assistance for an intern
- – Organization must agree to the Terms and Conditions of participation in the Inclusive Internship Project, and understand that participation requires some additional work for the student intern and on-site supervisor
Organization Eligibility Requirements
Organization, please log in to your Handshake account, then access the application through this link: Organization Application
Don’t have a Handshake account yet? Organizations can create a free Employers account in minutes. Please use the Employer Handshake Help Center if you need help creating and setting up an account.
Student FAQ
How/when do I get paid?
Students will get paid the stipend in two halves during the semester they are interning. The first half will be paid out at the mid-term, and the remaining amount will be paid out at the end of the term. Payments are paid out once the student has submitted their hours, with supervisor signature, as well as submitted their assessments and any additional work required of the Inclusive Internship Project and their internship course.
My internship is two-semesters long; can I be paid both semesters?
At this time, students may only receive the stipend for their internship for one semester, even if the internship extends beyond one semester.
How do I find an internship?
There are many routes a student can go to find an internship! Please reach out to one of these staff members for help:
- Ian McArthur, Assistant Director of Career Development, imcarthur@edgewood.edu
- Sheila Kronberg, Director of Career Development, skronberg@edgewood.edu
What’s the deadline to apply?
To participate in the full-semester, deadlines are two days before the official college Course Add/Drop date. Please look at the Academic Calendar for the most up-to-date information.
How do I know I am participating in the Inclusive Internship Project and am guaranteed a stipend?
Official participation in the Inclusive Internship Project is once the Contract is created, submitted, and fully approved by your on-site internship supervisor and the Inclusive Internship Project Coordinator. You will receive an email that confirms the completion of your Contract, where you will be given the hours tracking timesheet. Creating and submitting the contract is the Third (and final) step in the process.
What are my options for an internship course?
Option 1: If you major/minor requires you to take an internship course to graduate, you can choose to enroll in that course. Please speak to your faculty advisor(s) if this is the route you need to go so you enroll in the correct course(s).
Option 2: Institutional Course (IC) 470 or 475 through the Career Development Department or a faculty of your choosing.
- IC 470 – a general for-credit internship course offered by Edgewood College. Can be taken for anywhere between 1-16 credits, depending on how many hours the internship is.
- IC 475 – a general zero-credit internship course offered by Edgewood College
Organization FAQ
Does this cost anything to the organization to be a partner?
Nope – it costs nothing at all to be a partner! By filling out an application you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions of being a partner, if eligible to be a partner and are accepted.
How many internships do I need to provide?
As many as your organization needs! We cannot guarantee you any student interns, but post as many (or as little) internships as you’d like each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) and we will work on promoting them on our campus for students to apply to.
How do I find a student intern?
The best way to connect with Edgewood College students is to post your open internships on Handshake. This is the online career system we use on campus and direct our students to use when searching for anything from internships, part-/full-time jobs, volunteering, and other career development opportunities!
FAQS
How long is a typical internship?
Internships typically last between three and nine months. They can be during the fall, spring, or summer terms. Internships can be either full-time (usually between 30-40 hours a week) or part-time (less than 30 hours a week) or a combination thereof -such as part-time during the spring or fall semester and full-time over the summer. Depending on an employer’s specific internship program however, the duration, timing, and full/part-time status may vary.
Are internship paid or unpaid?
Internships can be paid or unpaid depending on the structure of the employers’ internship program, the specific career field and/or the job market supply and demand. If paid, the compensation varies greatly among employers, area of study, and geographic location. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the average hourly wage for interns at the bachelor’s degree-level is $17.20. In some career fields, unpaid internships are common and are the best way to get career-related experience. Students pursuing unpaid internships may be eligible to receive support through scholarships.
Do you receive academic credit for an internship?
Many majors require an internship for their area of study, which provides academic credit for the internship experience. If not required, internships are highly recommended and supported for all students on campus, and a student may still receive credit if they enroll in an Institutional Course (IC). An IC can be for-credit, or not-for-credit, and is designed to support all students in their internships.
When should I start looking for an internship?
Right now! Even if you feel it’s too early, meet with a Student Success Advisor to talk about your timeline, resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and Handshake profile. Many employers start recruiting in the fall (or earlier) for their next summer internship opportunity so having advanced preparation will only benefit you.
How do I prepare for an internship?
Edgewood College offers an internship preparation course (IC 220) to all students. The course focuses on developing behavioral and professional skills as well as how to find an internship. For more information on IC 220 please contact: success@edgewood.edu
You can also meet with someone in the Career Development Department. They can help you get professionally ready by reviewing your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, etc. They can also help you get ready for your interview through mock interviews. Schedule an appointment on Handshake today!
If your area of study has a career development/internship coordinator, they are also a great resource! They can help you review what the requirements for an internship are in your area of study and can discuss what is required to obtain academic credit (if applicable) for the experience.
Additionally, the Career Development Department (CDD), also offers professional development events throughout the year. Each semester the CDD hosts Mock Interviews where students can practice their interviewing skills with employers, a Career Mixer for students to engage and network with representatives from a wide range of organizations, and executive speaker and career panel series where students can learn from alumni and other experts on a variety of topics.
Our online career management system, Handshake, is a great place to start! As an Edgewood College student, you have a Handshake profile created for you, all you need to do is login and claim it. Once you’ve logged in, go ahead and complete all the details on your profile – we’ve partnered with employers to bring their best opportunities to Handshake and it will show you jobs that are a good fit for you based on your profile. And if you make your profile public, it makes it easy for employers to recruit you!
What skills are employees looking for in an intern?
According to NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers), the most highly regarded skills are:
- ability to work in a team
- obtain and process information
- organizational and planning skills
- verbal and written communications skills
- decision-making/problem-solving skills
Edgewood College offers an internship preparation course (IC 220) for students to learn and explore these behavioral and professional skills.
For more information on IC 220 please contact: careers@edgewood.edu
Can I do an internship abroad?
Yes! With support from the Career Development Department and the Center for Global Education, students can participate in international internships, where placements are personalized based on the student’s major and area of focus. For more information, contact:
Sara Liang
Director, Center for Global Education
Director of Study Abroad & International Student Services
Morgan Michaels
Center for Global Education Peer Advisor
Will an internship turn into a job?
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), nearly half of all internships turn into a full-time position with that employer!