Step 3: Types of Internships
Finding Internships
One good option is to check Handshake, which you can access through Boise State Career Services. Check the websites of organizations you are interested in. You may also contact the department internship coordinators for advice.
Registration Timetable:
Each semester has formal deadline for internship registration listed in the Academic Calendar on the Registrar’s page. This is the date by which all university forms must be completed. The department requires that you submit a completed Internship Verification form at least one week (5 business days) before that date to increase the likelihood that all forms can be completed on time. Department deadlines are posted on the department Internship page.
Legitimate Internships
Unfortunately, many opportunities advertised as internships are actually volunteer or contract work. These supposed internships ask students to work independently, using knowledge and skills they already have, often without pay. At a legitimate internship, interns work with an experienced supervisor who instructs and supports them as they learn new skills and gain valuable experience. Therefore, we do not approve internships that ask students to serve as campus representatives or ambassadors, or to complete work not currently undertaken by the organization.
Ineligible Opportunities
Independently overhauling a website for an organization without a webmaster; creating social media accounts and establishing a social media presence for an organization that doesn’t currently use social media; independently creating media content such as blogs, articles, and video for publications or outlets; promoting or distributing products on behalf of an organization; and/or door-to-door sales. Any “internship” that does not have direct supervision.
Summer Internships
Summer internships are a good option for many students. Please note that a) all of the rules described on this sheet apply during the summer; and b) students who do internship in summer pay the same cost per credit as those registering for classes. In other words, a three-credit internship costs the same as a three-credit summer class. Note that financial aid is handled differently during the summer and plan accordingly.
Starting and finishing an internship:
You should not do any work on site before receiving a notification that the internship is officially approved. Related to this, you may not receive internship credit for work completed in an earlier period. University policy forbids a student from doing work one semester and registering for credit in another.
Plan to finish your required internship hours on site by the beginning of dead week of the term for which you are registered. The department needs an evaluation from the supervisor to post your grade, and that evaluation cannot be written until you meet your contractual obligations.