What is an Internship?
An Internship is a supervised pre-professional learning experience that allows students to apply their skills and knowledge in a professional setting. These experiences are designed to enhance the student's preparedness for an intended career with a business, industry, or government agency. Internships can be either full-time or part-time lasting the duration of one semester. They are also available every fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students may complete multiple internships with the same company or change employers at the completion of the semester. Because Internships are a learning experience specific to your field of study, you can utilize them for credit toward your degree program.
What is a Co-op?
Co-op is short for cooperative education, a three way partnership, between employers, students, and IUPUI. Cooperative Education is a formal plan of education in which students alternate at least three semesters of full-time work with full-time study. Students must continue with the same employer for the duration of at least three work sessions (working semesters).
The “traditional” co-op begins at the completion of the freshman year and lasts for five work sessions. The student's duties will progress over the course of each session until he or she is performing the tasks that they would be expected to do upon graduation. Co-ops like internships are learning experiences that can be used for credit toward your degree program.
Why Intern or Co-op?
Paid or Unpaid (may be either):
The Office of Career Services and Professional Development strongly encourages our employers to pay interns and co-ops.
(Average wages range from $10-$17 per hour with an overall range of $8-$25 per hour.)
Although the vast majority of these opportunities are paid, please keep in mind the primary purpose of interning or co-oping is to gain valuable experience in your field. Pay should be secondary to the resume-building experience provided by the employer.
When pursuing unpaid positions be certain to scrutinize the duties and responsibilities of each position to make certain that the opportunity matches your career objectives. If you are unsure of the credibility of the position, please feel free to contact our office for assistance.
