An Introduction into Boise State’s Internship Program Or Commonly Asked Questions & Answers

What is an internship? 
An internship is an opportunity for practical work experience in a student’s chosen field of study.  An internship provides you with hands-on learning outside of the classroom.  An internship offers students:

• Practical, hands-on work experience

• The opportunity to see first-hand whether a particular field is a good match

• The chance to practice what you have learned in the classroom

• First-hand knowledge of an organization

• The ability to earn academic credit

• The potential to earn money while also taking classes

• The opportunity to network and make valuable connections for future jobs

• Experience in resume writing and interviewing

What is the difference between a part-time job and an internship?  
The main difference is that an internship is set in a learning environment, it is in the student’s major, and the work is done for academic credit.  Internship positions are reserved for students and can be paid or unpaid.  While a part-time job can be in the student’s field of study, it’s mainly done for pay.  If you see a job announcement that is in related to your major, consider applying to your academic department to receive credit.

When is a good time to start looking for internships? 
Begin the internship search in your sophomore year or after you have completed the introductory courses in your major.  Most employers want an applicant who has a basic understanding of their field, so they can focus training on the job’s specifics.

Are internships paid? 
Some internships are paid and some are not.  While getting paid is ideal, it’s also important to choose opportunities based on the experience they will provide rather than focusing on the money. 

How do I find an internship? 
The first step to finding an exciting internship is to log into BroncoJobs. Once you find a position that interests you and would like academic credit, take the job description to your Department Faculty Internship Coordinator for credit approval. If you are offered and accept the position, you will need to complete the on-line Application for Internship Credit in order to receive academic credit for your internship.  Please review the Academic Calendar for semester-specific application deadlines. 

Students are encouraged to seek their own positions, identifying an organization in which they would like to intern and seeking information from a Human Resources department or another organizational department about availability of internships. It is possible for students to do internships in the organizations in which they are already regular employees. In these situations, students should look for new job projects which will allow them to apply the knowledge they are acquiring in their major course work to their job situation. Students should discuss these processes with their department internship coordinator.

How do I apply for an internship position? 
Most internships require a resume and cover letter as a form of application.  Sometimes transcripts are also requested.  The announcement will guide you on what information you should provide.

How do I register for academic credit for my internship? 
Once you have secured the internship position, you must fill out the “Internship Application for Academic Credit” form.  This form requires the approval and signature of your department’s faculty  internship coordinator.  A list of department coordinators can be found at http://career.boisestate.edu/inthp8.htm.  Once the application form is completely filled out, submit it to Billie Madison in the Registrar’s Office, Administration Bldg, Room 110.

How many credits can I earn when doing an internship? 
Internships require approximately 50 hours of work for each hour of academic credit awarded. Generally, students work from 15 to 20 hours per week during a semester.  However, time frames are flexible. Internships do not always coincide with the semester calendar. Interns sometimes work full-time during vacations and during the summer.  The internship program is quite flexible and specific requirements depend on the academic major of the student and the type of job the student intern is performing.

Boise State University allows students to earn up to 12 academic credits for internship experiences which will count toward graduation requirements for a degree.  Some programs require internships.  Many allow an internship as an elective in a major. Students are encouraged to do one or more internships as part of their academic program. Internships may be graded on a pass/fail basis or for a letter grade.

What is the typical length for an internship? 
There is no standard length of an internship.  The length depends on what you and the organization you are interning at work out. It may be a semester, a summer, or the experience may be ongoing.

Is there an application deadline to receive internship credits? 
The internship application deadline varies by semester. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for semester-specific deadlines.