Relevant experience in your field is one of the most important factors employers consider when making hiring decisions. By participating in internships, co-ops, externships and field placements, collectively referred to as experiential learning, you not only better your understanding of your future profession, but also increase your value to potential employers.
INTERNSHIPS & CO-OPS Co-ops
A co-op is a paid, on-going relationship between the employer, student, and university. Students in the program not only gain work-related experience, but also actively participate in key projects. The co-op program is open to all undergraduate students currently enrolled at SVSU. International students are required to provide proper work authorization to work off-campus. Because of the high expectations, the co-op program has several requirements for participation, including: 1. Must have completed a minimum 24 college level credit hours from SVSU or another accredited college or university.* 2. Must have and maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). 3. Must have successfully completed a minimum 24 credit hours in past academic year. 4. Must have at least one year of coursework remaining until graduation. 5. Must fulfill any additional requirements as set forth by the employer or SVSU. *A freshman whose high school co-op employer has requested the student to continue the co-op at SVSU are exempt.
Non-Academic Credit Internships
An internship is an experience with a definite time frame (e.g., four summer months) that can be either paid or unpaid and can involve projects that vary in intensity based on the student’s level of experience. Unlike co-op positions, the requirements for internships vary from employer to employer and by academic background. If you wish to participate in SVSU’s internship program through Career Services, you must meet certain requirements, including: 1. Currently enrolled at SVSU, regardless of class standing. 2. Must have and maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). 3. You must be registered on the Cardinal Career Network to apply for the Co-op/Internship Program offered by Career Services. Visit Career Services in Wickes 270 for further details and instruction.
Internships for Academic Credit
Internships for credit that are offered by academic departments have unique guidelines and should be followed per the department. Credit bearing internships combine a structured learning experience with academic requirements that must be met. If you are interested in an internship and wish to seek out information regarding earning academic credit, you must first speak to a faculty representative from your respective department. To earn academic credit, students should seek out an advisor within their department well in advance of the semester they wish to complete their credit-earning internship experience. In order to gain permission to enroll in the internship or independent study course, a plan with course content and requirements will be devised with your advisor. Credit is not simply granted to you without an academic component or plan. After a mutual agreement between the faculty, student, and employer with a well-defined description of tasks, academic components, and responsibilities, the student may receive permission from the faculty member for enrollment to earn academic credit.
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If you are an unpaid intern, be sure that the employer you are working for is following the criteria for unpaid internships under the Fair Labor Standards Act of the U.S. Department of Labor.