What is an internship?

Internships prepare Trinity students for careers through academic training and work experience in a chosen field and allow a student to:

  • Apply theory to practice
  • Try out a career choice before committing to it
  • Develop skills and confidence in their abilities
  • Gain valuable skills sought after by employers
  • Begin the process of career networking and obtaining employment contacts

Internship Information: College of Arts and Sciences 

Internship Requirement

  • Eligibility: Students must enroll in an internship course aligned with their major and complete 100 hours of internship during the semester. This requirement typically applies to Junior or Senior students who have completed 56 credits and declared their major. Second-semester sophomores with significant credits in their major may also petition to enroll.

Finding an Internship

  • Search: Look for internships that match your academic and career goals. Opportunities are available in various sectors, including education, healthcare, government, social services, and the private sector.
  • Timeline: The process of finding and securing an internship can take 3 months or more. Start your search early to avoid last-minute stress. Competitive internships may require applications 6 months to 1 year in advance. Review the websites of your desired employers to understand their application timelines and requirements.
  • Resources: Use Handshake, Trinity’s primary internship and employment database, where employers post new opportunities daily. Faculty may have a list of employer partnerships from previous semesters. Additionally, network family, and colleagues to discover more options. 

Enrolling for Academic Credit

  • Course Enrollment: To receive academic credit, enroll in the internship course specific to your major. Check the academic catalog for requirements or consult your Academic Advisor.

Application Process

  1. Initial Contact: Send introductory emails to companies or organizations to express your interest in available internships. Highlight why you would be a strong candidate in your resume, cover letter, and application, if applicable.
  2. Send the Trinity Internship Guidelines Letter to outline the expectations for the internship site and supervisor.
  3. Approval Process:
    • Complete the Academic Internship Form via the Handshake platform for approval from your Trinity faculty, internship supervisor, and the Office of Career Services.
    • Submit your internship request through Handshake by selecting “Request an Experience.” This process requires electronic signatures from you, your internship supervisor, and your faculty advisor. For guidance on submitting the form, refer to the Handshake Experiences submission details or watch this video.
  4. Tracking and Completion:
    • Monitor the status of your internship approval via Handshake Experiences. 
    • Complete all academic assignments and tasks required at your internship site to earn credit. Internships are graded as pass/fail or with a letter grade.

Resources:

Video: How to Submit a Academic Internship Form 

Academic  Internship Form on Handshake 

Trinity Internship Guidelines Letter 

For further details or assistance, please reach out to the Office of Career Services at careerservices@trinitydc.edu and the faculty member teaching the academic course.

(PGS) Academic Internships and Practicum for Credit

If you are completing an academic internship or psychology practicum as a independent study and want to receive academic credit, follow the steps listed below.  This does not apply to major programs in PGS and SPS that already have established procedures and policies.

  1. Search for a place to do your internship based on your academic and career goals. Internships are available in every sector including, education, healthcare, government, social service agencies, private sector and enterprise etc. Handshake is Trinity’s primary internship and employment database. Employers post opportunities on Handshake daily to recruit students. Network with faculty, family and colleagues to learn about internships as well.
  2. If you are seeking academic credit for the internship, you must enroll in the appropriate internship course for your major or work with faculty to create an independent study. Review the academic catalog for major course requirements or talk to your Academic Advisor.
  3. Send introductory emails to companies/organizations expressing your interest in learning about available internship opportunities. Clearly outline in your resume, cover letter and internship application (if applicable) why you would be a good candidate.
  4. Complete the “SPS and PGS Practicum and  Internship form” to get approval from your Trinity faculty, Internship Supervisor and the Office of Career Services. All internship and practicum approvals must be submitted through Handshake. Go on Handshake and “Request an Experience” which requires electronic signatures from the student, internship supervisor and faculty for the academic internship/practicum to be approved.  Choose the “SPS and PGS Practicum and  Internship form” from the drop down options.  Review details on how to submit an internship approval form via Handshake Experiences or watch this video.
  5.  Track the status of your internship/practicum approval via Handshake Experiences by following these steps.
  6. Complete all academic assignments and tasks at your internship site to receive credit for the course. Classes are graded pass/fail or with a letter grade.

How Do I Find an Internship?

The first step is to decide what type of internship you are looking for, credit or non-credit, paid or unpaid. Once that has been determined, the process of finding an internship is the same as finding a job. The most effective internship searches utilize a variety of strategies.

  • Network: Let people know you are looking for an internship in your field. Network with family, friends and colleagues to find out if they know any leads. If you are looking for an academic internship for credit, talk with the faculty member teaching your internship course because they may have recommendations based on previous student experiences.
  • Research: Explore internship opportunities on Trinity’s primary internship database Handshake, as employers post opportunities daily to recruit students. Refer to career related weblinks  for a list of job search engines.
  • Learn: Find out as much as you can about the organization by contacting other students, alumnae/i or employees who’ve worked there.
  • Prepare: Update/create your resume and cover letter, make an appointment with the Office of Career Services to obtain feedback and practice interviewing.
  • Apply: Submit your resume and cover letter to the contact person for the position.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Up to how many credits can a student receive for internship?

Students can receive up to 6 credits for an internship they are completing for an academic course. Check the academic catalog for major related course codes or speak with your Academic Advisor.

Where can I find the required forms?

The Internship Guidelines letter should be given to your potential internship supervisor so they understand the academic program expectations.  If they agree complete the Academic Internship form via Handshake Experiences.  Go on Handshake and “Request an Experience” which requires electronic signatures from the student, internship supervisor and faculty for the academic internship/practicum to be approved.

Are all internships unpaid?

No, the employer determines whether an internship is paid or unpaid. You should clarify this particular question with the employer during the interview process. Both paid and unpaid internships are eligible for credit at Trinity.