Internships

Given the continuing challenge and uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic and to protect the health of students, faculty and staff, Penn State has made the decision to extend virtual delivery of courses into the summer. Further, the University will adjust tuition for the summer sessions in light of the ongoing pandemic and the persistent fiscal strain it is causing across Pennsylvania and the country.

Students should speak with their academic advisors and faculty members for more information about internships. The Undergraduate Internship Policy during remote instruction can also be found at https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/career/virtual/policy.

University FAQs regarding classes and academics for students can be viewed at https://virusinfo.psu.edu/faq/topic/classes-and-academics-for-students

Overview

An internship is a professional, career-related experience in an organizational or company setting. Students may have the opportunity to receive credit for the experience, although some students intern for the experience and contact, not for credit. Internships are often completed during the academic year in conjunction with classes or as a stand-alone experience in the summer.  Interns often work 10-12 hours/week during the academic year and 10-40 hours/week during the summer. Alternative schedules are possible and depend on the needs and expectations of the parties involved, including the student intern, a faculty adviser, and the intern supervisor for the company/organization. Many Penn State programs require a student to complete an internship for credit.

Although students are expected to take an active role in locating, applying for, and obtaining an internship site and completing the necessary requirements to receive academic credit, Career Services does provide services and resources to assist and support students in finding and preparing for internships. There is shared responsibility among Penn State Career Services and internship/job seekers to both research and identify potential concerns about the legitimacy of employers and their respective postings. Read the full disclaimer for more detailed information.

 

Additional Resources