Exploratory Internship Application/Contract

 Trinity College


1. An exploratory internship is a form of independent study. It enables you to examine a particular interest by working for a semester in a local organization.  The emphasis is on the field experience, which is supplemented by regular academic work with a faculty supervisor.  The internship earns one-half course credit.

2. Discuss your internship topic with your Faculty Sponsor. THINK ABOUT YOUR EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES and how you hope to achieve them. Agree with your professor on the academic part of the contract: required written work, meetings, and criteria for evaluation.

3. Write a rough draft of the contract on a separate piece of paper. Have it approved by your Faculty Sponsor.

4. Fill out Sections I and II on the front of the form. Give full names, titles, mailing address and zip code, and other necessary information. Letters and evaluation forms will be sent to the Field Supervisor you name. BE SURE THE NAME AND FULL MAILING ADDRESS ARE ACCURATE.

5. In Section III, type in the full name of your Faculty Sponsor and how you will be graded.

6. Section VI, describes the academic component of your internship. You may enter the information onto the form after you have discussed the requirements with your Faculty Sponsor and formulated your objectives. REMEMBER: This is an agreement between you and the professor about what you will be working on. Make it as complete and accurate as possible.

7. GET SIGNATURES. The form must be signed after it is filled out by: your Faculty Sponsor, his/her department chair, and your Field Supervisor. MISSING SIGNATURES MEAN THE INTERNSHIP WILL NOT BE APPROVED.

8. MAKE FOUR (4) COPIES OF THIS FORM, FRONT AND BACK.

9. On or before the THIRD DAY OF CLASSES, turn in the ORIGINAL FORM AND ONE (1) COPY to the Internship Office. You will be notified before Final Registration if the internship is not approved.

10. Give copies of the contract to your Faculty Sponsor and Field Supervisor. Keep a copy for yourself.

11. At Final Registration, you should enter "Internship" in the "Added Course" and "Final Schedule" sections of the registration form. Your registration will be valid only if your Internship Contract has been approved.

PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOUR CONTRACT IS LEGIBLE AND COMPLETE.



IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT INTERNS


Attendance
Interns must devote a minimum of 8 hours per week at the placement. A schedule of days and hours will be established with the Field Supervisor, and the intern is required to attend every session. If you are ill, notify your field supervisor prior to the expected time of arrival. This is not just a matter of common courtesy. The supervisor and the college are also concerned for the safety of the student. If it is necessary to miss an additional work day, let the supervisor know in advance. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange to make up any hours missed. Absence without notifying the supervisor will be reported to the Internship Director and will be reported to the Faculty Sponsor. Students who do not complete the requisite field hours may not receive credit. Punctuality and appropriate attire are expected of any intern.

Confidentiality
Interns become a part of the organization where they are working. Some offices include the student in areas of discussion or in projects which require confidentiality. This might occur in a medical or legal setting where the student has access to information about patients or clients. It might involve a computer project with private information concerning company policies or data on clients. Any intern must use discretion when discussing an internship with fellow students. Confidentiality must be respected at all times.

Meeting with Faculty Sponsors
A schedule of meetings with your Faculty Sponsor will be described on your internship form. These are not optional. If you or the faculty member must cancel a session, it is your responsibility to reschedule the time. Students who fail to keep the assigned appointments will not have completed the requirements of the internship.

Internship Commitment
When you turn in the internship contract at time of registration, you are agreeing to the requirements stated on the form. Take care in stating the purposes and requirements as this is a record of what is expected of you. If changes occur (a supervisor is transferred, project restructured, etc.), advise the Faculty Sponsor and the Internship Office immediately.

Remember that you are not only representing yourself, you are also representing Trinity College. This is an opportunity for you to create an impression of your college in the community. Please let it be a good impression.

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