What is an Internship?
Internships are a great way to advance your career through networking and gaining knowledge about a specific work environment. Internships can help confirm your major choice or help you develop specific skills. Internships are available to everyone from students to career changers and offer invaluable experience in a field you might want to explore without the commitment of a full time job.
When should I do an Internship and how many should I do?
Most internships are done during the junior and senior years of college, when a student has begun taking classes toward their major; however there is no limit to the number of internships a student can do. More than one internship can help build a resume and solidify a career decision for a student. It also gives the person an opportunity to test many different fields. At Lasell College, we encourage students to partcipate in internships and get acquainted in their field of study with our Connected Learning philosophy.
Students can do internships for academic credit as well as not-for-credit, so while a department may put a limit on how many for-credit Internships a student can do, there is never a limit to how many non-credit opportunities a student explores. Internships can be taken during the fall and spring semesters, as well as in the summer with pre-approval from department chairs. Check your department guidelines before doing an internship to ensure you receive credit if you want credit.
Types of Internships
Internship experiences include a variety of opportunities from every possible career path. No matter what your interests, Lasell faculty can help you find a fulfilling internship in various settings, from private corporations to not-for-profit organizations and government agencies.
Finding an internship is similar to finding a job: it takes time! To find the Internship that is right for you, begin by talking to a Career Counselor or the Director of Internship Programs. If you are not sure what internship would interest you, begin with finding out about yourself, through Career Tests, which your Career Counselor can provide. You should also speak with your faculty advisor, visit the career library, review Online Internship Databases, and conduct Informational Interviews. The best way to find an internship is through Networking with alumni and professionals in your area of study.
