Internship Award Overview

Overview:

 Internships provide students with the opportunity to enhance classroom learning and gain career-related experience while in college.  An internship enables the student to observe and practice professional skills and standards in a real work setting.  Additionally, internships provide students with the competitive edge necessary for obtaining quality employment that is related to their academic training.

The Internship Award is designed to assist a Bridgewater State College student in completing an approved unpaid credit -bearing internship. Preference is given to students with an interest public service, non-profit, government, social service or education. The award will provide up to $2400 per semester/semester. 

 Eligibility:

All full-time BSC undergraduates who have obtained 54 credits by May 1, 2009 are eligible to apply.  
You are encouraged to apply for the Internship Award if you meet the following criteria:

  • Minimum GPA 2.5
  • Junior or Senior in Good Standing
  • Completing a non-paid internship

All majors are eligible to apply.
International Students should check with both their International Student Advisor and the Internship Office for internship eligibility and additional information.
 

What qualifies as an Internship?

An internship should be a practical work experience 10-15 hours per week for 13 -15 weeks (over one semester) in which 3 credits (135 clocked hours or 45 per credit) are awarded. The internship site must comply with the following criteria:

1) Be an established business/organization that has been in operation for at least one year. 
2) Be located and conduct business in commercially zoned office space. 
3) Provide an on site supervisor, required at all times for each intern.

In addition, the internship must adhere to the following guidelines:

1. JOB DESCRIPTION: Employers/organizations must provide an academically qualified, professional level work experience related to the student's major. The site supervisor provides a written job description of meaningful, career-related responsibilities and/or projects assigned prior to the student starting his/her internship. The job description will bridge the link between academic theory learned in the classroom, and practical, hands-on work experience.

2. TRAINING: A training or orientation session at the beginning of the internship is required along with weekly or daily supervision provided by the site supervisor/mentor.

3. EVALUATION: Students should be provided with a written letter of evaluation at the conclusion of their internship.  Many, but not all, of the academic departments at BSC will mail a site supervisor a student intern evaluation two weeks before the completion of the internship.  We ask that you properly review and evaluate the intern(s) performance and mail the evaluation back to the designated faculty internship supervisor on campus. 

4.  SAFETY:  The internship employer/organization site supervisor is responsible for informing student interns about any and all company/organizational guidelines, policies and any safety issues prior to the students’ start date. Employers agree to provide the same consideration of health, safety and working conditions accorded permanent employees. Students should make every effort to follow the internship site health and safety guidelines.

Application Process:

1. Secure Internship

2. Complete the Internship Application Materials listed below. 

 3. Deadline to submit application materials -  August 28, 2009 for Fall 2009.

Notification & Award Distribution:

The Internship Award is a merit based award designed to encourage students to complete a non-paid internship to gain internship experience. Recipients of the award will be selected on the basis of their application, resume, and essay explaining how the internship will benefit the candidate. Students selected to receive the Internship Award will be notified in writing.

Distribution of the award will occur in two increments.

  • ½ payment upon completion of a successful mid-term evaluation by the intern and the on-site supervisor
  • ½ payment end of semester after all required internship evaluations and assignments have been completed by the intern, the on-site supervisor and the internship faculty supervisor.
  • Copies of all completed paperwork must be submitted to:
    Institutional Advancement, Attention: Lisa Nocera, Davis Alumni Center
    Career Services, Attention: John Paganelli, Campus Center, Room 009-A

Internship Award recipients are solely responsible for providing copies of all required internship evaluations and maintaining detailed and accurate records regarding the completion of the internship to be eligible to receive funds. 

If the intern drops out, fails or does not complete the internship for any reason the award will be forfeited.

Additional Considerations: 

Applications for the Internship Award must be submitted prior to the start of the internship; an already existing or previously completed internship is not eligible. 

Students who receive financial aid should check with the Financial Aid Office to determine if winning this award will affect their current financial aid package. 

Interns may not receive the Internship Award for a paid internship. 

The Internship Award is available for credit bearing internships only.

Last Modified: August 12, 2009