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CAREER GUIDE 2017–2018
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
/ClemsonCCPD
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INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS
INTERNSHIPS MAKE GOOD SENSE
Employers say good grades, summer job experience and
participation in student activities and organizations are not
enough to help students land a good full-time job. In today’s
competitive job market, the students with career related work
experience are the students who get the best interviews and job
offers. As an added bonus, many companies report that well
over 70% of full-time hires come from their internship program.
Other benefits:
• Often receive higher full-time salary offers.
• Gain experience and exposure to a career.
• Bridge classroom applications to the professional world.
• Network with professionals.
• Build the résumé.
• Increase your marketability.
OFF-CAMPUS AND INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIPS
An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates
classroom knowledge with career-related work experience. This
can be a vital link between college majors and the exploration
of professional opportunities. Students are able to participate
in a domestic internship on- or off-campus, as well as
internationally. Specific requirements will vary depending on
the type of internship and the student’s major. Internships are
typically offered for a specific period of time during the spring
or fall semester (14–16) weeks or during the summer (10–14)
weeks. Students are strongly advised to begin their search at
least four to six months in advance. Students are also advised
to attend a workshop, contact their department or visit with a
career counselor at the beginning of each semester.
The Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD)
offers a variety of services for students to find internships. In
addition to providing counseling and resources that aid in the
internship search process, part-time and full-time, zero-credit
hour internship courses, which are denoted on students’
academic transcripts, are also available through CCPD. The
full-time INT courses also allow students to maintain their
University enrollment status while interning. Undergraduate
students enrolled in the program must register for the
appropriate course number (e.g. INT 1010, 1020, etc.) for
each rotation to receive a grade of Pass or No Pass. Graduate
students can enroll in INT 8010 for the same benefits. Students
pay a participation fee each academic term that coincides with
an internship rotation.
Some students will even stop by the CCPD to explore their
international internship options while at Clemson. Amongst
other international internship resources available at the
CCPD, the Internship Programs began offering a 3-credit hour
international internship course in 2016. Student enrolled in the
INT 3010 course are provided housing, placement services, work
authorization, credit hours, cell phones, and on-site staff in
locations like Barcelona, Dublin, Santiago and Sydney.
DEPARTMENTS/MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Internships typically involve a structured project with a
professional mentor that relates to a student’s major or career
interests. Credit-bearing internship courses may be available
through a student’s academic college or department. Some
majors may also require students to complete an internship
as part of the curriculum. Further inquiries about departmental
internship requirements should be directed to the specific
department.
UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP/CO-OP
PROGRAM (UPIC)
The University Professional Internship and Co-op (UPIC)
Program offer students on-campus professional learning
experiences. Students have the opportunity to work with
Clemson faculty and staff as well as receive an internship
notation on their transcript. Participating students will be given
significant work that will help them prepare for their future
careers. These are paid positions, and students can work part-
time (160-175 hours) or full-time (320–400 hours). Enrollment
in an INT course (INT 1510, 2510) is required for this program.
In order to be eligible for the program, a student must have
completed at least one full semester at Clemson University
and be an enrolled, matriculating, undergraduate student in
good standing. Student applications for future internships are
typically listed in ClemsonJobLink halfway through the semester
prior to the experience.
We know Clemson students don’t dream of having an internship
where their primary duty is fetching coffee and bagels. Check
out an on-campus opportunity you can’t afford to miss!
• Get a mentor — work closely with a member of the faculty
or staff.
• Be 20% more likely to have accepted a full-time job offer
upon graduation.
• Receive academic notation on your official transcripts
(INT1510, INT 2510).
• Get paid to have an experience related to your field.
• Be more marketable when searching for an off-campus
internship.
• Have a determined spirit – you qualify!
Still need more reasons? Visit the UPIC website to learn more
about how you can have an engaged experience that will give
you the career edge, build your professional network, and allow
you to develop your transferable and field-related skills in new
and exciting ways!
SEARCHING FOR AN INTERNSHIP
Although a number of students will engage in an internship
experience during their freshman and sophomore years, most
students pursue internships their junior and senior years.
The internship search process is very similar to searching for
a full-time job. Allow several weeks for the search process
to take place. Have a plan of attack, including: how you will
contact potential employers (i.e.; networking, ClemsonJobLink,
professional associations), the proper paperwork associated
with the internship search (cover letter, résumé, reference sheet)
and the appropriate follow up procedures (thank you letters and
phone calls). Also, be sure to keep good records
of all your correspondences.
INTERNSHIP SEARCHING TIPS
• Attend an Internship Workshop.
• Utilize ClemsonJobLink to sign up for on-campus
interviews and to have access to national and
international internship listings.
• Target several organizations with which you would
be interested in interning.
• See internship books and Web resources in the
Flora M. Riley Career Resource Center.
• Set up an individual appointment with a career
counselor for more assistance (864-656-0440).
• Attend the Fall (September) and Spring (January)
Career Fairs.
• Network with Clemson University academic
department personnel, family and friends.
• Visit the iCenter internship consortium for
internships in agricultural, environmental, life
sciences and related fields (see our homepage for
more details at: ).
INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS