“My internship experience proved that it's important to keep your eyes open, as you never know what slight connection is going to get you the experience you are looking for.”
Sam Moore '09, Graphic Design major
Internships Across the Curriculum
In keeping with its mission to integrate the liberal arts and sciences innovatively
with career preparation, Colby-Sawyer offers opportunities to gain practical experience
in a chosen field through internships in a wide range of organizations.
Internships are field experiences designed to provide a student learning opportunity
under collaborative supervision among Colby-Sawyer faculty, staff, and worksite
professionals. Internships offer the opportunity for students to enhance their academic
programs with work experience related to career interests in business, industry,
government, healthcare, sports, science, education, human services, plus many
other opportunities in a national or international setting.
It is strongly recommended that each student take an internship while enrolled at
the college. Programs in education, athletic training, and nursing have specific certification
and accreditation requirements and related information can be found in
their respective sections.
Internships are arranged through the Harrington Center for Career Development
and Community Service with approval and evaluation by faculty sponsors. Specific
information on policies and procedures as well as student, faculty sponsor, and career
development responsibilities is available from the Harrington Center.
Rationale
Internships Across the Curriculum support the mission of the college to “combine the values of liberal studies in the traditional arts and sciences with those of professional preparation.” Yearly placement survey results show that Colby-Sawyer students consistently achieve employment and graduate school goals in areas related to their majors. It is evident in feedback from employers that the amount of internship experience our graduates have had during their course of study is what makes them stand out from other candidates.
Eligibility Requirements
Any matriculating student is eligible for an internship provided that the student:
- has earned enough credits for sophomore status
- has submitted a résumé and Internship Application form to the Harrington Center
- has satisfactorily completed a pre-internship seminar instructed by the Harrington Center
- meets the criteria established by the college and by each discipline for participation and has department approval
- has a different experience for each subsequent internship (i.e., no family members, no former supervisors, meet academic qualifications if necessary, etc.)
- has a college-approved on-site supervisor.
Guidelines
Each department may have established prerequisites for students wishing to undertake internships. However, the following general guidelines are:
- that students must register for each internship with the registrar's office
- that internships may or may not carry credit
- that internships numbered 285 and 485 will be graded on a pass/fail basis
- that 40 site-directed hours equals one credit
- that internships are either 285 (exploratory) or 485 (advanced)
- that internship credit is limited to a maximum of 15 credits towards graduation
- that in a given semester, a student may take only one internship
- that the internship will be a different experience each time for each student
- that an interdisciplinary internship (INT 285) is available
For additional information and forms go to the Harrington Center for Career Development & Community Services.
