• Events
• Student Work
• Career Exploration
• Resume/Search/Interview
• Postings

What is an INTERNSHIP and why should complete one before I graduate?

            An internship is an arrangement with an employer to have a “real world” experience in the work force. Basically you perform a wide variety of tasks of increasing responsibilities and try and learn what the particular industry or organization’s daily activities are. This will help you determine a major or decide if the one you have is what you really want to pursue. The experience also gives you an opportunity to learn how to integrate yourself into a team, learn new skills or practice learned skills, improve communication and organizational skills and learn more about yourself.   Internships are also a major recruiting tool for most organizations Opportunities are only limited by a student’s ability to dream and plan ahead.

How do I find an internship?

1)     Learn about past internships that IC students have completed by seeing postings in 3 ring binders in Sheila Duesterhaus' office.  Binders of general internship information are available in the main Career Service Office.

2)       On-line resources:  http://www.internships-usa.com.  The user name for IC students is intern08 and the password is work. 

3)    Ask about the IC Explorer Internship Program.  Application information will be available in January in the Career Services office.

4)       Check Career Fair Listings with websites that include employers of entry-level grads and often have internships available.

5)       Net work with faculty, staff, family and friends.

6)     Google different phrases

Stop by Career Service located in Baxter Hall for more help.

Will I get paid?

          Some internships are paid, others are not. It largely depends upon the field or industry. Students often participate in unpaid internships during the semester, while earning college credit. Career services and faculty advisors can help your particular needs get met.

Will I get Academic credit?

          It is not necessary for you receive academic credit but you may be able to use the internship as a credit within your major. Consult with your faculty advisor to answer this question.  Forms that need to completed to receive academic credit are links on this page.

Are there registration deadlines?  YES!!

DEADLINES –NO RETROACTIVE CREDIT WILL BE ENTERTAINED.

Internship Registration Packets due into Career Services and the registrar no later than 4:30 pm as follows;

Summer semester 2008: June 1^st even if the arrangement is to complete the internship in the fall with the Learning contract completed in the Spring, the internship work done in the summer, and the academic requirement completed in the fall. So whether the credit appears in the fall or the summer if the work is to be done in the summer JUNE 1^st is the deadline. NO RETROACTIVE CREDIT WILL BE ENTERTAINED.

What will it cost me?

            You can take up to 20 credit hours for the same tuition fees in the Fall in Spring semesters for the 2008-09 academic year.  So if you were signed up for 17credits,  taking a 3 credit hour internship would cost you NOTHING EXTRA. If it is summer and you would like the internship to appear on your transcripts as a summer internship the cost is $700/credit hour or $2100 for a 3 credit hour internship.  However, if you do the academic work during the fall semester you can defer your credits to the fall semester and add them to your fall course schedule.  You will need to make sure this does not take you over the full-time tuition limit. 

Do students ever receive job offers from their internships?

            Quite often.  Internships are a major recruiting tool for most organizations. Opportunities are only limited by a student’s ability to dream and plan ahead.

What are the off campus semester long internships?

The Washington Center and Chicago Center?

The Washington Center will place you for a full semester in Washington DC in a government, for-profit or not-for-profit organization in addition to providing, housing, academic credit for internship and their seminar program.  More information is available in the Career Services office 217-245-3040 or on-line at www.twc.edu

The Chicago Center will place you for a full semester, summer, or a short May term in the city of Chicago for an internship, with housing and academic credit. More information is available in the Career Services office 217-245-3040 or on-line at www.chicagocenter.com

Both of these programs have your financial aid coverage similar to a semester at Illinois College during the academic year and you may apply for a travel scholarship for any additional costs such as housing in DC verses Jacksonville.  Dr. Almut Spalding is the official liaison for Illinois College and all students need to apply to both programs through her office.  Students applying to these programs for an academic semester must meet all study abroad application deadlines. No financial aid is available for these summer programs.

Main Level, Baxter Hall - Across from Common Grounds Coffee Shop
Phone: 217.245.3040
Fax: 217.245.3167
Student Work Office: 217.245.3050