Beginning in the Fall of 2011, all internships offered at Trinity College are half-credit internships graded on a pass/fail basis. Students may take four such internships during their time at Trinity for a total of two credits toward the 36 credits required for graduation. There is no longer the integrated internship option. Detailed information regarding Internships can be found in the Student Handbook.
An exploratory internship enables you to examine a particular interest by working in a local organization for one semester. The emphasis is on field experience, which is supplemented by regular academic work under the direction of a faculty supervisor. The exploratory internship requires a minimum of eight hours a week in the field, carries one-half course credit and is graded as pass/fail.
Possibilities for Academic Internships
In certain circumstances, some departments and programs will sponsor academic internships allowing students to earn one academic credit in a graded course. Academic internships originate in academic departments and programs. The academic internship provides you with an opportunity to explore a topic in greater depth. The focus is on combining fieldwork with academic scholarship. The academic internship requires a minimum of 100 hours of field work along with substantial reading and written work. This internship normally carries one course credit and earns a letter grade. Detailed information regarding Academic Internships can be found in the Student Handbook.
Summer Internships for Academic Credit
Academic credit also can be earned during a summer internship. You can start by reviewing the Internship Directory, which includes those organizations that accept summer interns. If your selected summer internship is not listed in the Internship Directory, you must get it approved by Career Development. Please stop by and pick up an application form.
Here’s what you need to do if you want to earn credit for a summer internship:
- Secure an internship placement and have it approved for credit before you leave for the summer.
- Find a faculty sponsor who will be available during the summer and who will supervise your academic project.
- Download Contract, Instructions and Guidelines. The Exploratory Internship Contract includes details such as the job description and academic assignments, as well as due dates and meetings with your faculty sponsor. The completed form is signed by the faculty sponsor, the sponsor’s department chair, and by your field supervisor. Exploratory Internship Instructions provide a detailed step-by-step guide on completing your contract. Exploratory Internship Student Guidelines must be signed and returned to Career Development with your contract.
- Pick up a summer registration form from the Registrar (Trinity Commons). An internship is treated as a summer course for registration purposes – you must register and pay tuition at the Registrar. If you register before May 7, you can be billed for the tuition fee through Student Accounts.
You will not receive credit unless you are registered with the Registrar and have submitted a completed contract to Career Development by June 4. Contracts coming in after that date will be charged a $100 late fee. No contracts will be accepted after June 22. If you miss the deadline and want your internship to count for credit, you will need to petition the Academic Affairs committee in September. Please contact the Registrar's office for more information.
At the end of the summer, an evaluation form will be sent to your placement organization. Your academic performance will be based on this evaluation and on the academic work you complete for the professor.
If you are
interning in New York City this summer and need temporary housing, you may want to
check out Educational Housing Services http://studenthousing.org.
Summer 2012 Internship Survey
During the fall of 2012, an online survey was conducted to gather information about our student internships over the summer. Below are the results, which show the number of internships based on industry, geographic location, and students' class year based on over 300 student responses. For more specific numbers and any additional information, please email Linda.Roy@trincoll.edu.
Legislative Internship Program
Students gain first-hand experience in politics and government by working for a member of the Connecticut General Assembly. The Legislative Internship Program takes place during the spring semester. Since most legislators don’t have a big staff, student interns often shoulder a lot of responsibility and are treated like regular members of the office. Most students enroll in the program full-time, working 40 hours a week at the Legislature for four course credits. You can also do this on a part-time basis, working 20 hours a week for two course credits.
All interns also participate in a weekly seminar led by a faculty member in the Political Science Department. The seminar examines the scholarship on state legislatures nationwide. The seminar’s academic foundation is informed by the students’ real-world experience in the Connecticut General Assembly. For more information, contact
Professor Diana Evans.
The Cotter Congressional Internship Fund
Endowed in memory of U.S. Congressman William R. Cotter, Trinity ’49, this fund provides a stipend for students doing summer internships in the offices of any United States Senator or Representative. Preference is given to internships with Connecticut Senators and Representatives and to legislative interns in Washington, D.C. If you are planning such an internship this summer, please submit a statement of need and a letter of acceptance to the Career Development Center by May 15 to apply for a stipend.