Internships are essential professional learning experiences that complement what you're learning in class, help you explore careers choices, and learn how to navigate the real world workplace. We recommend students do two or more internships before graduating.
Note: If you have legal barriers to participating in an internship do to citizenship or work authorization status, please meet with a career advisor to discuss options for your unique situation.
How Internships Work
If you are new to internships, here are some things you should know. We also offer Internships 101 Workshops several times a quarter.
Unlike what you've seen in the movies, you will not have duties such as fetching coffee. We encourage employers to provide you with meaningful projects that help you develop skills within your career field. You may be invited to attend meetings, do presentations, or work with clients.
Depending on the career field, your internship may or may not be paid. Some internships only provide academic credit while others pay hourly or offer stipends or living expenses. Before searching for an internship, decide whether or not you can afford an unpaid internship. This will help narrow your options.
Internships are credit based. So, instead of filling in your school schedule with yet another Fast Fitness class, try an internship instead. The number of hours you need to work at the internship depends on how many credits you need.
Hourly commitment based on an 8 to 10-week period*
1 credit = 4 hours per week (32-40 hours per quarter)
2 credits = 8 hours per week (64-80 hours per quarter)
3 credits = 12 hours per week (96-120 hours per quarter)
4 credits = 16 hours per week (128-160 hours per quarter)
5 credits = 20 hours per week (160-200 hours per quarter)
You will need to enroll for credit with Records and Registration and complete all internship requirements to receive credit.
*Credit allowance is based on your department. Approval may be required by your Faculty Internship Advisor.
Note: Internships completed at your current place of employment must meet certain guidelines. Talk to the EWU Internship Coordinator for more details.
An internship involves three partners that work together to improve the student's overall learning in higher education.
Internship Coordinator
- Helps students search for internships in their field.
- Assists students in preparation for the internship.
- Organizes internship logistics (learning contract).
- Facilitates communication with employers.
Faculty Internship Advisor
- Authorizes the internship, and helps to establish learning objectives.
- Assigns additional written assignments (journals, research, papers).
- Issues a grade for the internship.
Use the following list to determine who your Faculty Internship Advisor is:
Internship Site Supervisor
- Introduces a job-like atmosphere.
- Provides professional projects and assignments.
- Evaluates performance.
During your internship, your Internship Site Supervisor will evaluate your progress with a mid-term evaluation and a final evaluation. These evals will be used to determine your grade along with any other assignments your Faculty Internship Advisor requires from you.
Just because the quarter is ending, doesn't mean your internship has to also. Whether or not your internship should continue will be up to you, your Internship Site Supervisor, and your Faculty Internship Advisor. You will need to complete the required internship documentation, evaluations, and registration for credits for each quarter.
Find an Internship
Because of the preparation involved and the competitive job market, it's important to start looking early. We recommend starting your search at least a couple months before you need one.
Some companies may already have an internship program in place. Those internships are often posted in the employment section of the company's website.
View our Search Online section for other online resources.
Not all internships are found online. In fact, many are found through personal interaction. If you do not see any posted, don't give up. Here are some other options:
- Contact the company directly and ask them if they have internships available.
- Network! 80% of jobs are never uploaded to search engines or job boards. Meeting and interacting with professionals is a good strategy for discovering internship opportunities and future careers. Learn how to Network.
- Attend a Career Fair. Our Career Fairs are listed on our events page and in Handshake.
- Make an appointment with our Internship Coordinator, for further assistance.*
*Virtual appointments (Skype, Zoom, phone, email) are available upon request for extended campus students, online students, and under other circumstances at the discretion of the Internship Coordinator. Make note of your preference in your Handshake appointment request or contact them directly.
You'll need to have a polished resume & cover letter prepared prior to applying. Check out these resources to get started:
The resume and cover letter did their job and got you an interview. Now it's up to your interviewing skills to land the internship. Interviewing involves preparing for commonly asked questions, dressing appropriately, and understanding interview etiquette.
Set up your Internship
Once you have found an internship and are hired, follow these steps.
You must make an appointment with your Faculty Internship Advisor to discuss the first two items on page one of the Handshake Internship Guide (Learning Objectives and Progress Documentation). Take down notes and save them for next steps.
Your Faculty Internship Advisor should provide you with a subject code and course number for enrolling for credit in the next step.
Not sure who your Faculty Internship Advisor is? You can find them on this list based on your major:
To enroll for academic credit for your internship you need to have a completed Special Course Approval & Registration Form (SCARF).
Hourly commitment based on an 8 to 10-week period*
1 credit = 4 hours per week = 32-40 hours per quarter
2 credits = 8 hours per week = 64-80 hours per quarter
3 credits = 12 hours per week = 96-120 hours per quarter
4 credits = 16 hours per week = 128-160 hours per quarter
5 credits = 20 hours per week = 160-200 hours per quarter
*Credit allowance is based on your department. Approval may be required by your Faculty Internship Advisor.
After you find an internship and are hired you will need to meet with your Internship Site Supervisor (the person at the internship site who will supervise your work) and arrange an appointment to discuss the last two items on the Handshake Internship Guide (Internship Description and Learning Activities). Take down notes and save them for the next steps.
You should also to discuss your work schedule. The hours you need to work will depend on how many credits you'd like to receive for this internship.
Hourly commitment based on an 8 to 10-week period*
1 credit = 4 hours per week (32-40 hours per quarter)
2 credits = 8 hours per week (64-80 hours per quarter)
3 credits = 12 hours per week (96-120 hours per quarter)
4 credits = 16 hours per week (128-160 hours per quarter)
5 credits = 20 hours per week (160-200 hours per quarter)
*Credit allowance is based on your department. Approval may be required by your Faculty Internship Advisor.
- Go to ewu.joinhandshake.com and log in with SSO or your @eagles.ewu.edu email address and password.
- Take ten minutes to complete your Handshake profile as much as possible if you haven't already done so.
- Follow the remaining steps in the Handshake Internship Guide to submitting your Internship Experience.
Effective Winter Quarter 2018, your evaluations will be automatically emailed to your Internship Site Supervisor at the appropriate time.
You will be evaluated on your internship performance as a part of your grade at both mid-term and finals week. Please remind your Internship Site Supervisor if you do not receive a timely evaluation.
