What is an internship?

An internship (full-time/part-time) is a real world experience related to your career goals and interests. It may, but does not have to be related /connected to your academic major or minor. Internships can be done during the academic semester and/or summer. There are several varieties of internships: some are paid, some are not and some offer credit towards graduation. Students at Stony Brook University can register for academic credit through their department of study or the Career Center.

"It is too early for me to think about internships. I’m not a junior/senior yet."
It is never too early to think about internships. In fact, there are internships that exists solely for freshmen and sophomores. Also, beginning in Spring 2007 sophomores can receive credit through EXT 288 for approved internships.

Whether off-campus or on-campus, an internship is a trained and supervised experience in a professional setting. It is essential for students to be aware that while a volunteer experience may not be considered an internship to many, it has the backing of an internship in which the student is learning and gaining essential experience.

"An internship requires long hours and will conflict with school"
Full-time and part-time internships with flexible hours are out there. An internship can range from 2 hours to 40 hours per week. Check with the organization in which you are interested in regarding hours.