FIRST: DETERMINE THE BEST TIME FOR YOUR INTERNSHIP

1) Ensure you meet the prerequisites:

• Be at a junior or senior status
• Pass portfolio review if it is required by your major (discuss this with your academic adviser)

2) Meet with your academic adviser to determine the best semester to do an internship.

NEXT: PREPARE & MEET WITH MINDY

3) Schedule a meeting with Mindy Berkowitz (Director, Center for Portfolio Development & Internships) using genbook. Note: You can meet with Mindy prior to passing portfolio review, but you must pass portfolio review to participate in an internship.

It's best to begin preparing for your internship search the semester before you plan to complete your internship, two semesters prior if you plan to intern outside of St. Louis. Internships follow academic semesters (i.e. a fall internship takes place August-December; spring, January-May; summer, June-July). This may vary slightly depending upon the organization and the hours worked per week.

4) Prepare for the meeting. Research organizations to get an idea of places you would like to intern and also create a draft of a resume. Read through the "Prior to Applying" section on the Tips and Suggestions page to get an idea of other ways you can begin preparing. Follow the links to learn about resumes and other application materials. The list of links on the industry related websites page and professional organizations page may also help you during your search and as you begin networking.

5) Attend the meeting. Some items you may discuss include: career paths that interest you, possible organizations at which you could apply for an internship, how to prepare application materials (including résumé, portfolio, cover letter, correspondence, etc.). Make sure to bring the draft of your résumé and any other materials you have prepared to this meeting.

6) After the meeting, complete application materials. Make sure to review and proofread these materials before sending them out.

THEN: APPLY & ACCEPT

7) Begin applying for internships. Mindy will give you leads for SOC-approved internship opportunities that align with your major, but keep in mind that internship opportunities are not limited to the organizations with which The Center has established partnerships. Internships must be completed under the supervision of an expert in your field of study, and must offer relevant entry-level professional experience. If you find an internship opportunity on your own and the position is outside of The Center's network, it must be reviewed and approved by The Center's office before you can intern there for credit.

8) Begin the interviewing process. Use the Application Materials to view the applying, interviewing and correspondence tips and suggestion documents. If you need assistance and/or more leads at this time, use the genbook appointment scheduler to make another appointment with Mindy. Follow-up appointments can be conducted in person or by telephone.

9) Accept an offer and finalize your internship. Communicate this update to The Center as soon as possible.

NEXT: COMPLETE AND SUBMIT YOUR INTERNSHIP AUTHORIZATION FORM AND ENROLL

10) Talk with your internship supervisor to create a schedule and then fill out the Internship Authorization Form. When creating your schedule, keep in mind that you will need to complete at least 192 of work hours during your internship, which will fulfill three academic credit hours (64 hours of working equals one credit hour). Note: If you will not have a set schedule, you will need to designate that on your Internship Authorization form, and then complete weekly timesheets.

To receive academic credit for an internship and meet the requirements for graduation, you must earn at least three credit hours. We encourage you to do a second internship for credit as long as the total number of credit hours does not exceed eight.

11) Submit your Internship Authorization Form. You may submit this form electronically, scan and email, fax, or drop it by The Center's office.

12) Contact Mindy to enroll in the internship course, MEDC 4950. You cannot enroll online. Note: You must have submitted your form and be enrolled PRIOR to beginning your internship.

FINALLY: YOU'RE AN INTERN

12) Begin your internship! Show up on time, dressed professionally and ready to take on projects. 50 percent of your grade will come from your internship supervisor (through a mid-term and/or a final evaluation). The Center will send the evaluation, which includes these performance indicators, to the internship supervisor.

13) Participate in monthly seminar meetings. 50 percent of your grade will be based on your academic assignments.

14) You are required to secure a SOC-approved internship, submit your Internship Authorization Form and Internship Description, and be enrolled in and complete MEDC 4950 (in this order) to receive academic credit for your internship.

7/31/12