Department of Sociology & Crime, Law and Justice

Internships

Why complete an internship?

Internships are one of the most important steps you can take toward future employment. Fifty percent of internships turn into jobs either with the original organization or because of a connection made through the internship. Internships can help you gain experience for your résumé, aid you in making career choices, help establish credentials and contacts in your job field, and integrate the knowledge you've learned in the classroom with the realities of the world of work.

Whom should I contact about a SOC or CLJ internship?

For information about the internship program, contact the Internship Coordinator.

Karen Sones
317 Oswald Tower
klo1@psu.edu
(814) 865-2217

Steps to finding an internship

Think about your potential internship position. What are your goals? What are your goals? What do you hope to learn? Talk to an adviser or visit Career Services about your career interests and to obtain help in narrowing your career focus.
Pick up a copy of the internship planning guide from the advising offices (315, 316 or 317 Oswald Tower) or click on the appropriate link below for an on-line version.

SOC internship planning guide (pdf format)

CLJ internship planning guide (pdf format)

Visit the department's Internship Coordinator, Karen Sones, in 317 Oswald Tower, to discuss the possibility of completing an internship and to obtain more information on the internship program.
Think about when and where you would like to do an internship. A list of past internship placement sites with contact names, addresses, and telephone numbers is available in the advisers' offices, outside 316 Oswald Tower, and here . Use Career Services for help, too! Visit their Web site at www.sa.psu.edu/career.
To learn more about potential sites, you can read through intern newsletters.
Decide if you are going to complete the internship for academic credit. The number of credits you can receive for completing an internship varies depending upon the number of hours and assignments you complete during your internship.
Clarify your financial constraints. If you can't find a paid internship, how many hours a week can you devote to an unpaid internship? Try to get a foot in the door at a place you do want to work, through volunteering, temporary employment, etc. The important thing is to get some experience and make contacts. The College of the Liberal Arts may have funds available to assist with your internship expenses. Visit their Website at http://www.la.psu.edu/CLA-LAUS/scholarships_aid.shtml
Develop a résumé and cover letter. Career Services and/or the advisers can assist you with résumé and cover letter preparation. Sample résumés and cover letters are provided in the internship planning guide.

Eligibility and Admission to the Internship

All CLJ or SOC students may apply for an internship, providing that they:

are in good academic standing (GPA of 2.0 or better).
CLJ students should meet this additional requirement: Because internships are intended to provide practical experience relevant to issues previously studied, CLJ students should have completed the basic CLJ course (CLJ 111) and a 400 level CLJ course directly related to the employment setting in which they intend to accept an intership.
have earned a C or better in CLJ 250W (CLJ majors) or SOC 207 (SOC majors).
have met with the Internship Coordinator prior to registering for the internship. Approval for registration will only be granted after a personal advising session between the student and the internship coordinator.

The Washington Internship Program

Students may also be interested in the Penn State Washington Internship Program. The Washington Internship Program helps students in finding meaningful internships appropriate to their interests and career goals. In the past, students have worked with environmental groups, congressional committees, and other special interest groups. The program also provides housing, special events, and helps students who are interested in credit for their internship. For more information, visit their Website at: http://www.psu.edu/dept/comm/wash/

Jamie Silveri(SOCBA) at her internship with MSI,Inc.

Interns at the PA Capital Building