Internships
Internships are one of the most common and effective ways of gaining experience in a career of interest. You can think of an internship as the opportunity to "test-drive" a job or career while gaining valuable skills and experience that will make you a more attractive candidate for full-time positions. Internships are generally one-time experiences with the following characteristics:
- Last between 3-4 months and generally take place during a semester (Summer, Fall, and/or Spring)
- May be part-time or full-time (10-40+ hours/week)
- May be paid or unpaid (the majority are paid)
- May be eligible for academic credit through the For-Credit Internship Program
- Some unpaid internships may require the student to obtain academic credit
- Interns are generally assigned a direct supervisor or mentor at the organization
Additionally, internships should support the following objectives and student learning outcomes:
- Application of classroom theory to "real-world" work experiences
- Opportunity for practical work exposure
- Development of both professional and personal attributes
- Development and clarification of career goals
When should I do an internship?
As a Kelley Indianapolis student, you have the distinct advantage of attending school in the middle of downtown Indianapolis. With so many organizations within a short drive and flexible class schedules, internship opportunities are available year-round during the Fall, Spring, and/or Summer semesters. Most local employers are flexible when it comes to scheduling hours and internships can last anywhere from a semester in length to over a year.
How many internship should I do?
Internships are not required, but they are recommended and you should take advantage of as many opportunities as you can. That said, most students who engage in internships complete 1 or 2 as an undergraduate.
The majority of internships are available to junior and senior level students and, while a number of students do engage in internships earlier in their academic career, it can be challenging for freshman and sophomore level students to find internship opportunities.
Please keep in mind that the terms freshman - senior apply to traditional students (in both age and 4-year academic plan). Qualifications are more ambiguous for non-traditional and part-time students, who may benefit from speaking with the CPO staff when beginning an internship search.
I can't fit an internship into my schedule.
Between school, work and family commitments, it may be difficult for many Kelley Indianapolis students to take advantage of internship opportunities. While we encourage you to speak with the CPO to discuss various strategies for identifying internships that fit both career goals and time commitments - internships are only one way to engage in experiential learning.
Several opportunities fall under the category of experiential learning and are excellent tools to assist in career exploration, development of transferable skills, and for building your resume:
- Business-oriented class projects (ex: I-Core)
- Student and professional organizations (Ex: Delta Sigma Pi)
- Part-time or summer work experience
- Volunteer and service work
- Study abroad
- Research
Where do I find an internship?
An internship search is very similar to a full-time job search. It requires a significant investment of time and effort and you should begin preparing at least a semester in advance. While students find internships through a variety of means, some beginning steps you can take include:
- Attending recruiting events as soon a possible
- Networking with your friends and colleagues
- Researching companies and careers of interest using Vault and other online tools
- Setting up a KelleyCareers account and establishing a Job Search Agent within the system
