Internship

DEFINITION:

An internship is a credit-bearing elective, or required (depending on the academic department) course, which takes place outside the classroom in an actual work setting under the supervision of a professional.  Internships are offered to juniors and seniors who have completed basic coursework in their major.  Internships are available within most academic disciplines at Trevecca. (Course # 4510)

·       Internships require you to plan ahead.   
·       The best internship sites require your application information one semester prior to working      your actual internship.   
·       Talk to the Internship Coordinator the semester before you plan to work.

PHILOSOPHY:

It is our philosophy that job experience directly related to your chosen career field clarifies and enhances not only your educational goals, but also your future ability to secure career employment.  The Trevecca Internship Program is based on the principle that significant and meaningful learning can be achieved in the professional workplace if it is a structured experience.  This is accomplished through the planning of all parties involved:  you, the employer, the TNU faculty sponsor, and the Internship Coordinator.

Although the Internship Coordinator is available to guide you in locating possible internship opportunities, the responsibility of obtaining the internship and completing all course requirements belongs to the student.

TO QUALIFY:

    In order to qualify for an internship, the following guidelines must be met:

• You must be registered with Career Services Online.
• You must be a Junior or Senior in good standing with the college.  No student may be enrolled in the internship program if he/she is on probation.
• You must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above.
• Internships must be directly related to your major or occupational goal, and approved by a faculty sponsor in your department prior to registration.  (Registration slips may be obtained from the Internship Coordinator.)
• Your employer must be willing to enter into the "Learning Contract" with Trevecca Nazarene University.

UNIT CREDIT AVAILABLE:

• The credits awarded are determined according to the hours worked on site per week:
  • 10 hours per week per semester = 1 credit                       (110 hours total)
  • 12 hours per week per semester = 2 credits                     (132 hours total)
  • 15 hours per week per semester = 3 credits                     (165 hours total)
    The Department Chairman must approve any adjustment to these criteria.

• You may earn a total of six hours elective credit. (Up to 3 hours per internship.)

 

THE LEARNING CONTRACT

Upon being selected by a site, you must initiate a "Learning Contract." This is a contract you enter into, along with your faculty sponsor, Internship Coordinator, and your employer/site supervisor.


NO internship credit will be awarded without this contract signed by all parties. The purpose of this contract is to clearly state the expectations of everyone involved. This leaves little room for you to run into suprises later.

The contract is available from the Internship Coordinator of the Office of Career Services. Call for an appointment (1237, 1359). Contracts are also dispensed at the Internship Informational Sessions scheduled several times each semester. The completed contract must be returned to the Internship Coordinator before you are allowed to register for the course. This must be completed within two weeks after registration or you will not be allowed to enroll in the course. Any requests made after this day must be approved by the Internship Coordinator and Assistant Academic Dean.

Complete sections in this order: Student Faculty Sponsor Site Supervisor—if internship is non-paid, Site Supervisor signs page 2. NOTE: Every line of the first section (ALL phone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses) of the contract should be completed, and is your responsibility to complete. PRINT legibly. This is how Career Services gathers info to communicate with the site. When completed, bring completed contract to the Internship Coordinator for review and signature. Distribute remaining copies to those involved.

GRADING:

• Your grade is made up of three components.  
• Your department's requirement (oftentimes a paper or journal on your learning experience, etc.) outlined on the Learning Contract.
• Your exit interview with the internship coordinator, and
• Your site evaluation

A copy of the Site Evaluation Form is included in the Guidelines.

Most departments utilize a "pass-fail" grade system.   If your paper, your interview, and your evaluation are not completed by final exam week, you will get a failing mark.  Incompletes are not given except by approval of the department chairperson.

SALARY:

Some internships are paid; some are not.  Some career areas such as Music Business are almost impossible to get into without an internship.  Therefore, those companies don't pay and you intern for the experience and the opportunity.  But if they do not pay, they must comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act.  (See your contract.)  Other organizations do pay depending on their intern's responsibilities.  Don't let "salary" dictate your internship.  Seek a company that will give you good experience and introduce you to successful people in your field.  Consider this an investment in your future, because that’s exactly what it will be.

Nashville is a great market for interning. Internships are available with many companies; you just have to inquire early. Some companies contact the Career Center each semester to post their available internships. To view these current postings, go to www.myinterfase.com/trevecca/student and search for Internships. You may also use the link on the ICE Page—under services. You are encouraged to pursue an internship with any company you think will benefit your career goals. DO NOT feel limited to the online list!