Internships
Domestic Internships
Internships can provide invaluable experience, learning, and opportunities to improve your education and career.
If you want to receive academic credit for your internship, follow the steps outlined below.
If you have any questions, contact the Kennedy Center Advisement Office at 273 HRCB, (801) 422-3548, or kennedy_advisement@byu.edu.
Step 1: Find an Internship
Students are responsible for finding and securing their own internship opportunity. To locate internship opportunities, you can explore companies and job fairs, use your personal network, or use any other avenues available to you. You can reach out to the faculty coordinator for your Kennedy Center major or minor, the Kennedy Center internship coordinator, and/or the career director assigned to our majors from BYU Career Services for additional ideas. The following resources may be a good place to start looking.
Resources:
https://careers.byu.edu/handshake-login
www.indeed.com
www.internships.com
www.idealist.org (nonprofit internships)
www.linkedin.com
www.ZipRecruiter.com
https://apsia.org/careers/job-openings-internships/
BYU On-Campus Internships
BYU Washington Seminar
Your internship CANNOT be with an organization that is owned/managed by a family member.
Step 2: Receive Permission from Your Faculty Coordinator
If you want to apply your internship credit toward your Kennedy Center major or minor requirements, you must obtain written permission from the faculty coordinator for your major or minor. Your faculty coordinator will determine whether your internship experience aligns with the academic goals of the major or minor and will work with you to decide where the credits will count. You must receive this approval before your internship begins. See the Kennedy Center Directory and find the faculty member in charge of your program.
Step 3: Obtain an Internship Agreement from the Internship Provider
University policy requires all internship providers to have an Internship Agreement with the university. If your organization has had BYU interns before, this agreement may already be on file.
Check BYU’s internship database to see if your organization has a current Internship Agreement. If there is not a current one on file, you will need to have your internship provider complete one before you may register for your internship credit (you will also need to bring this with you when you meet with the internship coordinator).
Step 4: Complete the Internship Application
Complete the required BYU internship application through the Experiential Learning and Internships website.
Step 5: Meet with the Domestic Internship Coordinator for a Pre-Internship Orientation
Once you have completed the internship application and have an Internship Agreement from your internship provider, set up an appointment with the Kennedy Center domestic internship coordinator for a pre-internship orientation. To schedule your appointment, you can request an appointment online, visit 273 HRCB, call (801) 422-3548, or email kennedy_advisement@byu.edu.
During the meeting, the internship coordinator will review and approve your BYU internship application. If your internship provider does not have a current Internship Agreement with BYU, please bring a new signed agreement to the meeting.
The coordinator will also give you a copy of the syllabus and explain BYU’s internship policies, the registration process, and the course requirements/expectations.
Step 6: Register for IAS 399R
After your pre-internship orientation meeting, wait for an e-mail verifying that your internship application was received and approved. You will then register for IAS 399R (the section with Sara White listed as the instructor). (If it is after the add/drop deadline, the internship office will e-mail the registrar’s office to get you registered—it is still your responsibility to make sure the class is added to your schedule!) Students should register for the number of credit hours as discussed in the pre-internship orientation meeting with the internship coordinator.
GWS Students: Register for GWS 399R, not IAS 399R.
Step 7: Complete Internship Coursework on Canvas
Throughout the semester, you will view and submit assignments online through Canvas. Sign in with your BYU net ID and password. Once you have signed in, you will be directed to the Canvas dashboard page, where you will see the IAS 399R or GWS399R class icon. Click on the icon, and it will take you to the course.
International Internships
Several established international internships are available to students each semester, which may be found under International Study Programs.
Students may also find their own international internship and work with the Kennedy Center to receive academic credit for their approved internship. Contact Program Coordinator Assistant (chris-quinlan-assistant@byu.edu, 101 HRCB) to ask for help with credit.
All students traveling international for BYU credit are required to adhere to specific university policy. Plan ahead (at least six months in advance) to make sure you meet all the requirements before leaving for your internship. If you have not followed the proper procedures, you will not receive credit for your experience.
FAQ
1. Should I do an internship?
Some students mistakenly believe internships are only available in business, but this is not the case. Internships are available in almost any field. An internship will provide experience to help you toward your chosen career. If you do not yet know what you want to do, an internship will help you explore options and help you discover what you like.
2. How do I find an internship?
Finding an internship is like finding a job. It takes work, but if you are willing to put forth effort, you can find a good experience. The best place to start is with people you know. Talk to friends, family, and faculty. Tell them you are looking for an internship; ask if they have suggestions. Consider companies or organizations you think you might want to work with. Find out if they have internship programs. If they don’t, call them and ask if they would accept you as an intern. In addition to personal networks, the BYU Career and Counseling services in the Wilkinson Center provides free services to help students explore and apply for internships. The secret is to start looking—you might be surprised at how many opportunities you find.
3. When should I do my internship?
There is no designated time for you to complete an internship. For many students, the summer between junior and senior year is a convenient time to complete a full-time internship, but this is not your only option. Many full-time internships are available year-round. Applying for an internship during the fall or winter might be a better option for some, because there tends to be less competition for the available positions during those semesters. Other students prefer to anticipate in part-time internships, while they are still attending school. Regardless of when you complete your internship, be sure to plan your classes carefully to stay on track for your desired graduation date.
4. Does BYU offer internships?
The Marriott School offers on-campus internship experiences that are completed as part of a three-credit-hour class. As part of the class, you work on a specific project for a designated company. The areas of interest range from business to social entrepreneurship, financial services, real estate development, or translation services.
5. International vs. Domestic internships?
International Internships. The world is becoming increasingly global and, regardless of whether or not you plan on working internationally, an international internship experience will provide you with a unique experience that will set you apart in your chosen career track. Working as an intern in a foreign country, you will gain the perspective and insight into the professional culture of a country, more so than you could ever gain as a visitor or a student. Learn more by following the “International Internship” link on the left menu page.
Domestic Internships. Financial or family obligations may prevent you from relocating for an internship. There are many good opportunities available in Provo and other cities nearby. Talk to friends, family, faculty, and advisors on campus to make sure you find the best fit for you.
6. What is the Washington Seminar?
Students who are interested in working with government or other organizations in Washington, D.C. will want to consider the Washington Seminar a great alternative. This BYU-run program helps place students in internships with organizations of their choice. They also provide affordable housing where interns live and socialize with one another.
7. How will I cover expenses during my internship?
Some internships are paid but many are not. Whenever possible, students should focus on the quality of the experience more than the money—considering the long-term benefits. The right internship now will help your career placement in the future. Accepting an unpaid internship will require additional planning. Consider what expenses you have, then plan how you will cover those expenses while completing your internship. Depending on the internship, a small stipend may be available to help cover some of the cost. Students wanting to travel internationally should consider applying for scholarships or financial aid that can be applied toward their internship.
8. Who can I talk to for more help planning my internship?
Schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Advisement Center, 273 HRCB.