Internship FAQ

DEADLINES!

Spring 2008 Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Summer 2008 Friday, May 23, 2008 

The internship program provides students with opportunities for practical experience. Students enrolled in an internship generally work 10-20 hours per week for a semester (or the summer) and earn 3 academic credits when successfully completed.

What is an internship?

Internships are important career opportunities for students to explore the employment opportunities connected to their major or career interests in art and design. Employment surveys consistently rate internship experience as important to prospective employers and young alumni.

An internship is a temporary working relationship between a student and an employer. The student plays an apprentice role and the employer plays a trainer role. The student must abide by the policies and procedures of the company. The employer will evaluate the student’s performance and work at the end of the internship.

We encourage students to complete one to two internships before they graduate. Many unpaid internship employers assume that a student is earning credit for the experience. For-profit employers are assuming legal and financial liabilities by accepting work from students who are offering their time for no pay and no credit. Students earning credit for their time at an organization are more attractive because the experience is considered part of the student’s academic program. Please remember, there are far more internship opportunities for a student than a new graduate. 

Who is eligible?

All students above the sophomore level may earn credit for an approved internship if they are chosen and accepted for an opportunity.  Proposals for internships by students in their Studio Foundation or sophomore year will be considered on a case by case basis by the Career Services Office.  Students may complete, at most, two internships as part of a BFA program.

How long do internships last?

Internships may be 8 to 14 weeks in length. A student may work 10-20 hrs per week over that 8-14 week period. The total must be at least 108 hours (this matches the minimum number of hours expected for a 3 credit course of 9 hrs over a 12 week period: 108 hrs).

Internships are for 3 credits only – students may not earn more than 3 credits for internships where they work more than the required number of hours.

Overview of Guideline:

• Minimum no. of weeks for an internship: 8 weeks

• Maximum no. of weeks: 14 weeks

• Minimum no. of hours for an internship: 108 hours

• Maximum no. of hours: 280 hours. Please note that both the internship employer and the student agree and commit to a timeframe for the internship, no less than 8 weeks in duration and no more than 14 weeks for academic credit.

• Lowest academic level eligible to get credit for an internship: second semester of Studio Foundation.

• Maximum credits per internship : 3 credits

• Maximum no. of internship courses per student: 2 (total of 6 credits)

Internships can be related to the student’s major or to their career goals.  An internship may be undertaken in an area outside of a student’s concentration. The student must define the goals and objectives for the internship on the registration form, which must be approved by a faculty member appropriate to the work.

Faculty Involvement:

Faculty involvement is critical after a student accepts an internship.  Faculty review the student’s registration form for contact information, internship job description and the student’s objectives for completing the internship. Please note: the faculty internship advisor has the final approval to accept the student’s request to pursue the internship for credit.

Mid-term and final evaluation forms are collected from both the internship company supervisor and the student. All paperwork is forwarded to the faculty internship advisor at the end of the semester for grading. Summer internships are typically recorded in the following fall semester to avoid summer tuition charges.

Internships should be monitored on a regular basis throughout the placement. Faculty will maintain one or more of the following kinds of interaction with each intern:

• Have telephone conversations on a consistent basis with the intern while he/she is working at the internship site

• Require that the intern keep a journal of his/her professional experience

• A site visit by the faculty member to meet the student during their internship.

• A group meeting with other student interns in the discipline once or twice during the semester – this also allows students to share knowledge and experience with each other

Can I start anytime?

You should have your internship paperwork registered by add/drop for the semester it will occur in. If you need additional time, you must speak with Diana Glennon in the Registrar’s Office. It is important that you inform Diana, in a timely manner, of your internship issues and concerns.  Diana’s email is diana.glennon@massart.edu and her direct number is:617-879-7266.

How many internships can I have?

A student may receive credit for two different internships, that is, a maximum of six credits composed of two, three-credit internships per student.

How much will I get paid?

Internships are either paid or unpaid. Compensation is determined by the employer.

The $3000 unpaid internship award is available for spring and summer unpaid internships. Please review that information to find out about eligibility and how to apply.

Where can I find internship listings online?

Go to Career Services, 2nd floor, Kennedy Building as soon as possible to sign-up for your own ID and password to look at our current internship listings. We can also point you in the right direction to find other websites that list internships.

What if I find an internship on my own?

Each internship must be approved by Career Services. The company must fill out a Company Internship Description form to be considered as an internship. This can be done online at www.massart.edu/internships .The Office will then verify that the duties are art-related and meet the criteria established by the college, and that the company internship supervisor is a working professional in the field.

How do I apply?

Each online internship listing on MassArt’s job listing site (collegecentral.com/massart) will state "How to Apply". Scroll to the bottom of each listing and look under Application Instructions or Other Job Requirements. Usually, internship employers request a cover letter and resume to be sent via email or fax. Employers will also be interested in your portfolio or samples of your work.

How do I write a resume and cover letter?

Your resume should be one page long and summarize your work and school experiences. The cover letter is only a few paragraphs and introduces you to the employer. To get started, drop by the Career Services Office (Kennedy, 2nd Floor) for a Job Resume Workbook. Once you have a rough copy of your resume, be sure to email it to yourself and bring a hard copy to an appointment with Maryellen Schroeder, Director of Career Services. She can review your hard copy resume. If there are any recommended changes you can access your resume on your email and make the changes on the spot. For an appointment call: 617-879-7779.

How long does it take to find an early June internship?

Students should allow themselves 4-6 weeks to secure an internship.

How do I register for an internship?

Once you have accepted an offer, follow the steps on the Internship Registration and Forms