1. What is an Internship?

An internship is a learning experience specifically designed to allow a student to explore a career field and gain work-related skills under supervision in a professional environment.

Internships come in all shapes and sizes! Some students are eligible to receive academic credit for their internship experience. Others are not based on a variety of factors, including their academic major, class standing, and GPA. In addition, some internships are paid, and some internships are unpaid.

2. Why Intern?

Internships allow you to:

3. Who can intern?

Anyone! Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students all participate in internships. However, whether or not you can get credit for an internship will vary based on your specific major.

4. When should I intern?

Anytime! Students do internships over the summer and during the fall and spring semesters. During the summer, students work either part-time or full-time hours. In the academic year, most students work 10-15 hours per week.

5. Where can I intern?

Anywhere! Many organizations within walking distance of campus host College of Charleston interns. Students intern in their hometowns, in other states, and even overseas. Based on your interests, you can target opportunities in a specific geographical area.

6. How can I find an internship?

• View local, national, and international internship listings posted directly to the College of Charleston on CISTERNonline
• For more national and international listings, search the internship directories in the Career Resource Center and these internship websites.
• Use your network of relatives and friends to uncover internship opportunities that might not be posted or printed in a directory. Ask your parents, friends, work supervisors, and everyone you know to help you find an internship.
• Contact companies directly to inquire about internship opportunities that may or may not be posted.
• Attend Career Fairs such as the Career Expo in the fall and FutureQuest in the spring to network with employers and discuss available internships.
• Try a part-time job or volunteer position with an organization to "get your foot in the door."

7. Prepare your resume, tailoring the information on each version to each specific internship position as necessary. Need help? Make an appointment with the Internship Coordinator and visit the Developing an Effective Resume Help Guide.

8. Prepare for your interview. Need help? Make and appointment with the Internship Coordinator and visit the Interviewing Help Guide.

9. Explore getting academic credit for your internship or participating in the Career Centers' Certificate Internship Program.