Competition in the job market makes the search process increasingly frustrating for recent graduates. Job announcements ask for "experience," but how does one get experience when experience is a requirement for employment? A growing number of colleges and universities, government agencies, public service organizations, and private firms offer a solution to the "need experience to get experience" dilemma: internships. Although definitions vary, the basic premise of an internship is that a student near the completion of his degree/certificate works outside the traditional academic environment to gain practical job experience and extend his/her learning to a new setting. The term covers co-ops, temporary projects and some full or part-time jobs, whether they last for one term or for the academic year. In all of these cases, the student receives academic credit for job-related research. We encourage organizations to provide at least a nominal salary to students, but interns can also volunteer their time.
Those interested in an internship experience as part of their education at CSN can get credit for it by taking GRC 290--Internship for Graphics Communications.Prior to signing up for the class, the student should clear plans with the faculty advisor who is assigned to monitor GRC 290.Internship credit is available to students entering their last semester of instruction for degree.Internships can be set up for 1 to 3 credits depending on how many hours are going to be put into the endeavor. To earn one credit, the student must work 5 hours per weeks for 15 weeks or a total of 75 hours; 3 credits would therefore require a minimum of 225 hours.