Skip to Main Content

What is an Internship?

An internship is an opportunity that combines learning with work and offers a unique experience for career exploration. The essential component is that as you are working, you have structured and intentional objectives to learn about a career field. An internship or related experience can help you decide whether that field is really for you. Internships help you:

  • Explore potential careers
  • Learn how to conduct a job search
  • Build work-related skills
  • Experience a “3-month interview”
  • Network with people in your field
  • Become more marketable for your future job search

Before entering an on-site internship, use the COVID-19 Due Diligence Checklist to ensure that the employer/company is taking effective steps to protect the health and safety of student interns.

Photo of Kailey Dean at her internship with American Legislative Exchange Council

Types of Internships

The internship types are:

  1. Extra-Curricular Internships are initiated by the student, are not required for the degree, and do not receive academic credit. Students are not enrolled in any internship course. These internships can be pursued during academic terms in which they are enrolled in other classes or during breaks between periods of enrollment. They need not be related to the student’s program of study, and no faculty supervision is needed. The University does not enter into an agreement with the Internship Sponsor. Students may list the internship on their resume, but it will not appear on their academic transcript.
  2. Co-Curricular Internships relate to the student’s program of study (e.g., major, minor, certificate program) and can be paid or unpaid. Students pursuing them are enrolled in a course (which can be 0 to 6 credits), but it is not a mandated requirement for the program of study. Students must have a completed learning plan signed by an assigned faculty supervisor.  Academic credit appears on the transcript and may be offered as credit/no credit or for a letter grade.
  3. Curricular Internships are a requirement for the student’s declared degree or major. These internships must be for academic credit and can be paid or unpaid.  Students must have an assigned faculty supervisor and learning plan.  These internships appear on the transcript, and the internship course may be offered as credit/no credit or for a letter grade.

Why Should You Pursue an Internship?

  • Explore potential careers
  • Learn how to conduct a job search
  • Build work-related skills
  • Experience a “3-month interview”
  • Network with people in your field
  • Become more marketable for your future job search

Your Internship Search

  • Start your search with Handshake
  • Discover thousands of internships 
  • Connect with employers representing all career clusters
  • Find career-related events that allow face-to-face interactions
  • All students should request for their experience to be documented and/or awarded academic credit prior to beginning an internship in Handshake. See information below for instructions.
    • Summer requests should be submitted before July 16. Please Submit fall term requests before October 24.

Networking, job shadowing, and informational interviews often open doors to additional opportunities.

Be advised that you must pay tuition for internship credit hours greater than zero. The costs for an internship completed for credit hours is equivalent to all other academic hours.

If you have paid full-time tuition, such as for the Fall or Spring Semester, you will not incur additional charges for internship hours. If you are not enrolled full-time, such as during the Winter or Summer Term, you will be charged for each credit hour you take. This includes any internship credit hours.

You may have your internship recorded on your transcript without taking it for credit hours. Reach out to Erin Dunn at erin.dunn@miamioh.edu for more information about zero-credit, no-pay options.

Step 1: Search and Explore

Step 2: Consult Resources

Campus Resources

  • International Students and Scholar Services (ISSS) for Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
    •  Assist students with federal requirements for Curricular Practical Training
  • One Stop / Bursar / Registrar
    • Assists with questions regarding billing and schedules
  • Internship Grants/Professional Attire Grants
    • If your internship or research experience is unpaid or underpaid, you can apply for grants to assist with personal expenses related to your internship.

Advising Resources

  • Career Advisor
    • Assist in internship search by helping with resumes, cover letters, interviewing and navigating Handshake. Make an Appointment
  • Academic Advisor
    • Assist in internship search by helping with resumes, cover letters, interviewing and navigating Handshake. Make an Appointment
  • Assistant Director of Internships

Academic Department Internship Coordinator

Step 3: Secure Internship

  • Make certain Step 2 is complete
  • Check in with your Academic Advisor & Internship Coordinator

Step 4: Request Experience

Step 5: Track Progress

  • Requesting an experience does not guarantee approval
  • Make sure you track progress in Handshake
  • Process of Approval:
    • Request goes from Handshake to the Career Center, where it will be moved from pending to approved, as long as learning objectives are included
    • Next, Faculty Coordinator approves request
    • Then, request goes to Registrar to be added to your schedule based on Registration Deadlines
      • Confirmation will be sent to International Students and Scholar Services (ISSS) if applicable
    • Approval from internship site supervisor is the final step, but does not impede the ability of the course to be added to schedules

Step 6: Follow Up and Monitor Progress

  • Complete mid term and end-of-term evaluations for your Internship (if applicable)

Reneging on a Job/Internship Acceptance

Renege: to go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract. Reneging is unethical, unprofessional, and jeopardizes the reputation of fellow students and the University. Therefore, the Center for Career Exploration and Success prohibits any student from reneging on an accepted job/internship offer. To renege is to accept a new internship/job offer after already committing to a previous internship/job. 

A student who accepts any offer shall withdraw from the hiring process for any other position. A student who fails to withdraw, continues to solicit another position, or reneges on a previously accepted position may be denied future services from the Career Center and barred from future on-campus recruiting until such time that the Center for Career Exploration & Success, in their discretion, removes such ban. A student that violates this policy shall also be referred to his or her departmental chair(s) for consideration of additional sanctions at the discretion of the department chair(s).

If you are uncertain as to whether you should accept an offer, please seek guidance from a member of the Career Center staff before taking any action.

Request Your Internship Experience

Complete our Internship Request Form in Handshake for your internship experience to be documented and/or to receive academic credit for it. Your internship can be paid or unpaid but should be in a degree-related field. 

Your internship can be in any semester/term. If you hope to be awarded academic credit, be sure to follow the deadlines posted on the One Stop’s Internships for Academic Credit page.

A student smiles while speaking with an employer at a career fair.
icon of a television

Registering Your Internship on Handshake

2024 Summer at the Cuyahoga

Miami University alumni represented as mentors at Cleveland’s premiere internship event.

Connor Kadlic

Connor Kadlic

I am a Commercial Banking Associate at CIBC US responsible for providing credit underwriting, relationship, and portfolio management support for bilateral and syndicated deals.

Background: I was a Political Science major at Miami. When I was a Junior I decided I wanted to follow a different path. I got my hands on every business class I could and joined some banking-related clubs to re-tool my resume. I was able to get an internship with CIBC US’ Commercial Banking office in Cleveland, where I joined full-time after college ended.

Lessons learned: everyone makes mistakes (particularly when you’re just starting a new job), but it’s how you respond to and learn from those mistakes that makes you better.

Dallas Holifield

Dallas Holifield

Raw Material Planning Lead at PPG Industries in Cleveland, OH. I am Responsible for the planning and purchasing of all raw materials needed for manufacturing of automotive paint to support customers.

Background: I was a Supply Chain & Operations Management Major and Marketing Minor at Miami. My career started as an intern at American Greetings in Cleveland, OH, which I found through Miami’s Career Fair. After that, I moved to PPG as a Customer Supply Chain Coordinator, then into Raw Material Planner in early 2021.

Lessons learned: know when to advocate for yourself! If your work speaks for you, it’s important to make sure the right people are aware and acknowledge what you’re doing.

Nicholas Paterniti

Nicholas Paterniti

I am a Senior Associate, Private Client for Journey Wealth Management.

Background: I studied Economics and Finance at Miami University, completed an internship with Guardian Life/Capital Planners in Cleveland where I received my Life Insurance license. After graduating I returned to Capital Planners where I got my securities license.

Lessons learned: it's rewarding to work with people and help them achieve goals in some way.

Lauren Rudman

Lauren Rudman

Sr. Director, HR & Training for GNCO, Inc.

Background: I studied Human Resources Management at Miami University. I am an Human Resources Leader for 15+ years with experience in material handling, manufacturing, construction, and public transit. 

Lessons learned: never stop learning! Always look to educate yourself both professionally and personally.

Center for Career Exploration and Success

45 Armstrong Center
550 E. Spring Street
Oxford, OH 45056