Who may do an internship, and when?
Beginning in the sophomore year, students may do internships in the fall or spring semester. First-year students are not eligible for internships. Up to three course credits in internships may be counted toward degree requirements for graduation.
How do I find the internship I want?
The Internship Office is a good place to begin. You should plan for an internship well in advance, ideally early in the preceding semester. Students find information about opportunities by using the Office’s Directory of Internships and investigating the Internships home page on Trinity’s web site, or through newsletters, bulletin board postings, and evaluations of past internships kept on file in the Internship Office. They also learn about internships by talking with other students.
For specialized interests and certain academic areas, faculty are helpful in identifying placement opportunities. Students may also arrange their own internship placements subject to approval by the Internship Office.
What are the types of internships Trinity offers for credit?
There are two types of internships at Trinity: exploratory and integrated. Any placement can be either an exploratory or an integrated internship. The student and the faculty sponsor determine together which type of internship will be undertaken.
The EXPLORATORY internship enables a student to investigate a particular interest or career option. The emphasis is on the field experience, which is supplemented by appropriate written work. This internship requires a minimum of 8 hours per week spent at the field placement and carries .5 course credits.
The INTEGRATED internship is more academic. The emphasis is on the integration of work in the field with the academic component of the internship. This requires detailed preparation for in-depth study, including the formulation of questions or issues to be addressed, and the development of a bibliography. A student must spend a minimum of 100 hours per semester (8-10 hours per week) at the field placement, do substantial reading and written work under faculty supervision, and have taken at least one course relevant to the placement.
Most integrated internships receive one course credit, depending upon the nature of the project. An internship for major or minor credit may receive up to two credits. Non-major internships for more than one credit must be approved in writing by the Curriculum Committee prior to the end of the semester preceding the internship.
How much time do I need for an internship?
In general, an internship takes at least as much time as a regular course. The minimum of eight hours per week of field work, plus reading and writing assignments, plus commuting time, add up to a significant time commitment. Blocks of time must be available to accommodate an internship. Final work schedules are arranged between the intern and the internship field supervisor.
What about transportation?
Interns use Connecticut Transit or personal cars to reach sites throughout the metropolitan area.
Intern Seminars
Seminars are offered for interns by the Economics Department, the Public Policy program, the Formal Organizations minor, and Sociology 206-Organizing by Neighborhoods.
College Work/Study and Internships
Students on financial aid can utilize internships as an alternative to on-campus employment provided the agency can pay 60% of the student's earnings, and meets Federal guidelines. The 40% balance is furnished by the Federal government, through the Office of Financial Aid at the College. Only students who are offered an on-campus job opportunity are eligible for work/study money. Students considering a work/study job must check with Financial Aid to make sure that they are eligible, that funds are available, and that the agency meets work/study requirements. Summer work/study jobs are open to all financial aid students but have somewhat different restrictions. The Financial Aid Office can answer all questions about CWSP and students' eligibility.
Financial support is available from the William Cotter Congressional Internship Fund for students undertaking summer internships in the office of any United States Senator or Representative. Preference is given to internships with Connecticut representatives and to legislative interns in Washington, D.C. The application deadline is May 15 each year. Anyone applying for a stipend should submit to the Internship Director a personal statement of need and a letter of acceptance from the legislator's office.
The Trinity Internship Program is exempt from minimum wage laws by the Connecticut Department of Labor. Students may receive compensation, however, if the academic quality of the internship if approved.