An internship can help you decide whether the career path you chose is actually something you enjoy and something that challenges you.  An internship gives you an opportunity to get real-world work experience. One of the most important advantages of an internship is the networking opportunities it gives you.  When your work at an internship is done well, you may leave with both professional references and enhanced marketable skills. Internships allow employers to determine how you fit their needs. It is not unusual for interns to afterwards receive offers for part-time work while in school or a full-time job.

Having one or more internships shown on your résumé gives you an advantage over competitors who have no experience. If your academic program does not require an internship, consider pursuing this kind of work opportunity anyway.

• If you are receiving academic credit at MGA through your program of study, then your experience automatically qualifies as an internship.
• If you are not receiving academic credit through MGA, please see below to make sure your experience qualifies as an internship:

Length: The internship must last for at least 8 or more consecutive weeks.

Hours: You must have worked an average of 10 hours per week or a minimum of 80 hours total during the 8+ weeks.

Educational: Your internships must be educational and within your area of study bringing the knowledge you've acquired through your academic education. To ensure that an experience is educational, all the following criteria must be met (as defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers):

1. The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
2. The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
3. The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
4. There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student's academic coursework.
5. There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
6. There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
7. There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.

• Experience lasts less than 8 consecutive weeks
• Experience is less than 10 hours per week or a minimum of 80 hours total
• Tasks and responsibilities do not directly relate to your area of study and/or career goals
• There are no defined learning objectives or goals

Students can obtain an internship in a variety of ways. The Center for Career & Leadership Development advises students to begin their internship search at least 4 – 6 months before their desired start date. In addition to creating an online search strategy, students may identify internships through faculty or their career advisor. The CCLD uses Handshake to promote local, regional, and national internship opportunities to students. 

To search for an internship, students should do the following career development activities with the CCLD:

• Activate your Handshake account at mga.joinhandshake.com and identify 5 – 10 internships that interest you.
• Schedule an appointment with a career advisor to update their resume and begin their internship search strategy with Handshake.
• Create a LinkedIn profile and meet with a career advisor to develop an internship search strategy.
• Take a professional headshot in the CCLD for your LinkedIn and Handshake profiles.
• Attend career fairs and networking events hosted by the university and other organizations, which you can find on Handshake.
• Attend “Virtual Internship Series” sessions, which are hosted in the spring and fall semesters
• Complete a mock interview in preparation for anticipated interviews.

Approach an internship much like you will pursue a full-time career position. Conduct research on the company or agency that interests you to develop a targeted résumé and cover letter. Ask about work opportunities and let the employer know how your skills and abilities match their needs. Consider your personal network – your friends, your relatives, classmates, former teachers or professors, academic advisors, etc., and then let those contacts know you are pursuing an internship.

Below is a list of internship sites that previously hired MGA students (as reported in Experiences via Handshake- mga.joinhandshake.com/experiences):

NOTE- If you are an MGA student and have completed an internship, then you can also report your internship for a chance to get a FREE CCLD Internship graduation cord! For directions on how to report your internship, go here. 

MGA Student-Reported Internship Sites (last updated- 8.29.23)