FAQ: Internships at Middlebury

Q) What is an internship?

An internship is a work experience that complements your academic work and allows you to obtain practical experience in a specific career field of interest. A good internship will put your academic skills to practical use by challenging you with new responsibilities and duties.

Q) Why are internships important?

An internship can help you build a realistic understanding of a career. The work you perform during an internship can document and affirm your skills and abilities. The effort, initiative, and maturity involved in securing an internship are personal values which prospective employers look for. Internships give you the chance to experience the policies, politics, and procedures of working environments, complementing your academic experience as a student. Internships are an excellent way to build valuable contacts for the future. They can also help you clarify your career interests and determine your compatibility with a career.

Q) Do you have to be a junior or a senior to have an internship?

While many internships are advertised for juniors or graduating seniors, rewarding opportunities exist for any students who have the desire and determination to take advantage of them.

Q) Are there paid internships?

Although some organizations consider the valuable experience the intern obtains as ample reimbursement for the work performed, many offer competitive wages to their interns. Remember, no internship will be a get rich quick scheme for your summer months. The value of an internship lies in the quality and breadth of experience, not in the paycheck.

Q) Can I receive academic credit from Middlebury College for an internship?

There are several ways in which a student may be eligible to receive academic credit linked to an internship experience. Some sponsoring organizations will require interns to receive credit from their home institution. If this is the case with your proposed internship and your internship does not fit into the categories listed immediately below, you may want to request a transcript notation .

Winter Term Internships : all students (Sophomore and above) in approved WT Internships receive one course credit (IN600) for successful completion. Check with the Career Services Office for WT proposal packet.

Study Abroad Internships : an increasing number of internship opportunities that award academic credit are possible for students in Middlebury College Study Abroad Programs through the Clarence and Anne Dillon Dunwalke Trust. Check with Program Directors for specific details and eligibility requirements. Click here to go to Middlebury College Study Abroad website.

Independent Study/Internships:

500 level course credit: upper-level students (typically juniors & seniors) may be approved by their academic department to receive academic credit for an Independent Study (500 level course). An Independent Study may combine a research-oriented internship with appropriate written documentation. Course credit is awarded in the semester during which the student is formally registered in the Independent Study, typically the term immediately following completion of the internship. Most 500-level independent studies involve a Middlebury College faculty member directly overseeing the internship/research phase. Check with your Faculty Advisor for more details.
555 level course credit: this credit is only awarded upon approval of the Administration Committee for high level research in one's field of interest conducted during the summer or another leave term away from campus. The internship/research must be supervised by an accomplished professional. To receive credit, the student must produce extensive written documentation upon completion of the experience that is reviewed by a Middlebury College faculty member. Check with your Faculty Advisor for more details.

Q) What if my intern supervisor requires I receive academic credit, but my internship does not logically fit into any of the categories noted above? I don't want to forfeit the experience simply because I can't receive, or don't need, credit.

You may make a request through the Career Services Office to receive a transcript notation . Follow the guidelines mentioned below to request this. Be sure to check the box on the bottom of the form indicating your internship supervisor needs a letter from the College confirming credit will be noted on your transcript. Remember, this notation will not count toward completion of any graduation requirements.

Q) Can I receive a notation on my transcript stating I completed an internship even if I don't receive academic credit?

Yes, you can request a notation be placed on your transcript if your internship meets the criteria indicated on the Internship Transcript Notation Request (ITNR) form. Complete and submit an ITNR form before the start of your proposed internship. You will need to ensure your internship supervisor submits an evaluation letter describing your tasks/responsibilities during the internship and evaluating your performance at that organization to Career Services. This notation does not fulfill any graduation requirements.

Q) Do businesses other than major corporations offer internships?

Internships exist in nearly every occupation. If you cannot find the perfect one in landscape architecture or the foreign service, you can sometimes design your own internship by contacting professionals in that field. Remember that an internship does not guarantee entry into an organization following graduation.

Q) What if I don't know if I want to pursue a career in the same field of the internship?

Internships do not lock you in with a particular career field. Rather, internships are an excellent step in the 'What I want to do' evaluation.

Q) How do I find an internship?

Finding the right internship involves several steps: preparing an effective resume and corresponding with organizations that interest you; self evaluation, internship evaluation, taking action and follow up are all important steps towards obtaining a good internship.

Self evaluation: What are your needs and priorities? What do you want to get from an internship? Do you need to make money? How much time will you devote (full-time, part-time, weekends, summer, semester)? Do you wish to live away from home? What type of work environment most appeals to you? Our assessment resources may help you.

Internship evaluation: What kinds of organizations have internships that meet your needs and priorities? How well do they meet your needs and priorities? Can you meet theirs?

Action Plan: Determine which specific internships interest you, then plan to apply well in advance of the deadlines. This will allow you enough time to arrange for a personal interview and will give the organization a chance to find out more about you if they are interested. The following databases offer internships specifically for Middlebury students:

MOJO
This database contains Midd-friendly internships.

LACN (Liberal Arts Career NetWORK)
This database, also found on MOJO, and at https://lacn-csm.symplicity.com/, lists numerous domestic and international internships.  LACN is a consortium of 28 schools, all of which contribute internships to the database.

Middlebury's Internship Links by Industry (Online Career Library)
Browse our comprehensive sample of organizations offering internships, categorized by industry. You can also link to our online Career Library for more website links by industry. If you've exhausted MOJO
and LACN, this page will help you attack the general World Wide Web to search for internships.

The Internship Series Online
A collection of password-protected databases listing thousands of internships; contact CSO to get access.

Follow up: After you apply for an internship, use the time to your advantage. Stay in contact with potential internship sponsors. Patient, constructive persistence will demonstrate to the organization that you are serious, dedicated, and hardworking. Do you know someone in the organization who can put in a good word on your behalf? Use MiddNet to check if there are any Middlebury alumni there who would be willing to meet with you. Remember over 80% of all jobs are found through personal contacts.

Return to CSO's Internships Page