Internships with clear global/international connections are required of all Global Studies students. Global Studies advisers and Career Services can assist students with internship hunting, but students are responsible for obtaining an internship. Students may not use their current jobs unless they are involved in a special project directly relevant to Global Studies. Internships must be arranged with a Global Studies adviser in advance, and appropriate preparatory meetings are required in all cases. It is not possible to earn credit for an internship after you have completed the internship. Do not be afraid to look for an internship with a company or agency you are interested in working for once you finish your undergraduate studies.
Eligibility
Students who wish to participate in an internship must be in junior or senior standing, with at least two completed 400-level Global Studies courses and a minimum of two years at Penn State Berks is required. Approval by a Global Studies coordinator is required for all internships. The most appropriate Global Studies adviser or faculty member will be appointed to supervise each intern. Begin researching internships in which you may be interested in advance; this is not a last-minute project.
Hours and Credits
Internships may range from 150 hours, earning 3 credits, to 450 hours for 9 credits. Time requirements can be altered by Global Studies coordinators in cases where travel over exceptional distances is required and/or agencies specify set periods for internships. Students may take INTST 495 more than once, but not for more than a total of 9 credits. Internships abroad do not fulfill the study abroad requirement.
Documentation of the Internship Experience
All interns will be expected to meet/correspond with their adviser(s) to report on the progress of their internships and draft final presentations. Students and their employers need to fill out the forms available on the Career Services webpages. All interns are required to make a final presentation of their experience and submit a journal/report of that experience or, if required by their employer, a research paper. Those taking internships for 9 credits may be required to do final presentations, journals/reports and research papers (depending on employer requirements). At least one report (final report) will be expected from an intern's supervisor. Interns should anticipate an evaluation period of two weeks after their and their employer's reports are submitted. Those doing internships that end in the Second Summer Session may not be able to graduate at the end of the Summer.
When applying, all students should consult Dr. Zohra Melaouah-Shaffer, Global Studies program chair, at [email protected].
