Internships
Internship leads to
job for Chris Petzy ’12
As a result of Chris’ quality work on projects and presentations, including some to upper management, his internship supervisor wrote him a good review, leading to his full-time job as a financial analyst in the IT Finance department at Liberty Mutual in Portsmouth, N.H.
Meet Courtney Rague
Courtney interned with the Portland Sea Dogs and the Maine Red Claws, professional baseball and basketball teams. She says that internships are a great way for students to gain real life experience and make important connections that could lead to employment. Because of her internship experience with the Portland Sea Dogs, Courtney has been offered a full-time job there as Sales Director of Tickets.
Meet Molly Shaw '12
Molly interned at Saco River Community Television. She says her internship helped to improve her camera, editing, and computer skills. For some projects at the station, she even earns a salary.
Meet Nasro Ali Ali ’11
Nasro, a criminal justice major, interned at Portland District Court. She says internships help the student grow as a professional and see if they can picture themselves in that organization.
How do I get an internship?
Students usually complete an internship during their junior and/or senior year. First, visit the Office of Career Services to talk about internship opportunities, how to obtain an internship, how to write a résumé and cover letter, and how to prepare for the interviewing process.
The Office of Career Services is located on the first floor of St. Joe's Hall. Call 893-6636 or 893-6637 to set up a time to come in, or you can also just drop in.
Do I earn credits for my internship?
Most students complete internships for credit and experience. Only a few internships are paid in addition to credits. As an intern, you will enroll in a 4-credit course called Business Internship Program (BU 404).
How long do internships last?
They are usually a semester long, although a few last a year:
- Fall Semester, September-December
- Spring Semester, January-May
- Summer Semester, May-August
Why participate in an internship?
Student benefits include:
- Gain professional experience while in school
- Sample specific jobs within career areas
- Make valuable contacts for future networking
- Sample different working environments (work setting, type of employer, or industry, geographic location)
- Gain insight into real world application of concepts learned in school
- Develop self-confidence and independence
- Earn money
- Earn college credit
Where can I work as an intern?
Saint Joseph's College has many connections in the Greater Portland area with businesses and organizations. Some typical intern placements include:
| AARP | Maine International Trade Center |
| American Red Cross | Mercy Hospital |
| Baker Newman Noyes, CPA | Portland Magazine |
| Berry Dunn McNeil & Parker, CPA | Portland Pirates |
| Burgess Advertising | Portland Police Department |
| Edward Jones Investments | Portland Radio Group |
| Enterprise Rent-A-Car | Portland Sea Dogs |
| Giraffe Events | Portland Water District |
| Green Tree Marketing | Sweetser |
| Hannaford Supermarkets | Tripswithpets.com |
| Idexx Laboratories | UnumProvident |
| Lake Region Animal Hospital | WGME 13 |
| Lakes Region Suburban Weekly | Windham Parks & Recreation |
| Maine Medical Center | Wolfe Public Relations |
| Maine State Government |
Can I do an internship on campus?
Yes, the following departments have sponsored interns, for example:
Athletic Department
Graduate & Professional Studies
Information Systems
Intramurals & Recreation
Marketing & Public Relations
Sports Information
Employer benefits include:
- Lowers recruiting costs
- Affords observation and evaluation of potential employees
- Provides reliable source for pre-professionals
- Requires no permanent commitment (however, 60 percent of the time, interns are hired on full-time)
- Allows greater productivity during business cycles
- Lowers training costs
- Allows for input into educational process
What are employers required to provide?
- written job description or a simple list of duties/responsibilities
- appropriate learning environment where the intern may apply their college studies in an experiential learning setting
- specific point person that the intern can refer questions to
- schedule allowing students to work (at minimum) 150 hours over 15 weeks so they may receive academic credit
- internship evaluation form at the conclusion of the internship
What are the student's responsibilities as an intern?
- Treat internship position as a professional job
- Satisfy academic requirements of internship course
- Must notify employer beforehand if they cannot report to work at scheduled times
- Must provide own transportation
What does Career Services Center provide?
- Promote internship opportunities to students
- Refer students to sponsoring employers
- Provide résumé and interviewing skills assistance
- Coordinate the academic component of the internship
