Academic Internship Information

Academic Internship Overview & Procedures

Through the Rhodes Internship Program, the world becomes your classroom. Theories and formulas take on new meaning as they are applied in business, government, and nonprofit environments. The staff of Career Services coordinates the majority of internship opportunities. Regardless of your professional pursuits, we encourage you to take advantage of this educational opportunity and enroll in an internship during your tenure at Rhodes.

 

BENEFITS

  • Enhance academic understanding by integrating classroom knowledge with real world experiences
  • Develop practical skills to increase marketability with future employers
  • Explore and evaluate your career choice before committing to a graduate program or career field
  • Gain professional references and increase your networking potential
  • Complete F11 requirement in many of the academic departments

 

STUDENT QUALIFICATIONS

  • Must be a member of the Class of 2025 or 2026 (Sophomores accepted as space allows)
  • Must have a 2.5+ overall GPA and 2.5+ major GPA
    • Please note some internship sites require a higher GPA. In addition, the Psychology department requires all applicants to have 3.0 major GPA.
  • Must have the faculty approval from the department awarding the credit

 

INTERNSHIP PARAMETERS

  • Internship credit is awarded through specific academic departments - Career Services does not issue the credit. Please check with your department to see if internship credit is available. It is up to each academic department to award either a letter grade or pass/fail
  • Each internship is worth up to four credits
  • Up to eight hours of academic credit may be applied toward graduation
  • Most internships require 10 hours of work per week; medical internships require 8 hours per week.
  • Internships begin the first full week of the semester and conclude on the last day of classes.

 

2023-2024 ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP PROCEDURES

1.  Attend an internship information session.  Students who attend an internship information session will be given priority in internship selection.

2.  Review the list of internship opportunities (available on the Career Services website under the internships tab) and identify up to five choices.  Priority deadline is Friday, March 8th at 5 p.m. for all applications except for HPA. If you have interests other than those listed, you may pursue those options and complete the Internship Proposal form. 

3.  Submit the online internship application by the deadline date.

  • You will be required to upload a resume.  Your resume should be one page in length.
  • We strongly recommend that you have your resume reviewed by a Career Services staff member.
  • On your application, make sure that you have indicated the number of credit hours you wish to receive.  We cannot process any application unless you are interested in receiving credit.
  • Note:  Your application will be sent to the faculty/staff member who will award the credit.  You will need to meet with them after you submit your application so they can approve.  See the list of departmental faculty/staff below that supervise Academic Internships.

 

Anthropology/Sociology – Prof. E. Wright

Interdepartmental/Pre-Health – Director J. Kelso

Art – Prof. V. Coonin

International Studies – Prof K. Chen

Business – Prof. A. Zagorchev

Latin American/Latinx Studies – E. Pettinaroli

Computer Science– Prof. C. Welsh

Math – Prof. E. Gottlieb

Economics – Prof. C. Collins

Media Studies- Prof. A. Kostina

Educational Studies – Prof. J. Kelly

Music – Prof. C. Blankenship

English – Prof. G. Bigelow

Politics and Law – Prof. A. Eldridge

Environmental Studies & Sciences – Prof. W. Eckenhoff

Psychology – Prof. K. White

Gender & Sexuality Studies– Prof. J. Haas

Spanish – Prof. E. Pettinaroli

History – Prof. T. Keller

Urban Studies – Iris Mercado  (includes Health Equity and Religious Studies)

4.  Career Services will consult with faculty internship supervisors and try to match you with one of your top choices.  Therefore, list only those internships that you are seriously considering.  You will be notified via email of your "match" approximately four weeks after the application deadline.

5.  You will receive an introduction email to the internship site supervisor.  You are responsible for setting up an interview with the internship site once you receive the introduction.  Interviews typically last in between 30 minutes to an hour and are conducted at the employer's office or virtually.  Most HPA internships will not require an interview.  

6.  Prepare for your interview!  The employer will ask you several questions regarding your interests and skills.  Dress professionally (visit the Career Closet if needed!) and be sure to take extra copies of your resume to the interview.

7.  Following the interview, the employer will inform you of your status (usually within a few days). If you are offered the internship, you should accept or deny the position within 2 days.  

8.  If the employer does not offer you the internship, contact Career Services.  You will be put in touch with another internship site from your list of choices.  Follow the directions in 6 and 7.  If you are offered the internship, but choose not to accept it, please schedule a meeting to meet with the Assistant Director for Internships to review your interests and identify appropriate internship sites.  

9.  Once you have accepted the internship, notify Career Services by email at internships@rhodes.edu.  

10.  Be sure to register for credit!  Simply turning in your application to Career Services does not register you for the class.  You must put this on your schedule.