[Year]
Writing an
Effective
Internship
EXAMPLES
[EXAMPLES OF EFFECTIVE
INTERNSHIPS]
Service Learning & Career Development – Western Oregon University
Example 1- Effective Internship Example
Why is this a good example of an internship?
This internship provides a thorough description of the learning objective and activities that will
allow a student to learn. Internships are not jobs and should reflect job tasks that relate to learning. In
this internship description and intern will know what tasks will lead to specific learning outcomes.
Undergraduate Chemistry Teaching Internship_______________
Name of Department *
Chemistry
Name of Supervisor *
First, Last Name
Supervisor Title
Associate Professor
Department Description Chemistry is the study of matter, the material of the universe and its
changes. A knowledge of chemical principles provides the groundwork for the intellectual
consideration of the effect of chemistry on society. Western Oregon University's Chemistry
Department offers degree programs that are designed to prepare students for (1) professional
programs including medical school and pharmacy programs, (2) careers as laboratory or forensic
chemists, (3) or graduate study in pure or applied chemistry. Combining a chemistry major with an
appropriate minor prepares students for careers in fields such as biochemistry, oceanography,
toxicology and in environmental and atmospheric science. Specific degree tracks within the program
include Traditional Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, Forensic Chemistry, and
Environmental Chemistry.
Internship Description____________________________________________________
Position Title * Undergraduate Teaching Internship in Chemistry
Hours Per Week
6-10
Please describe the supervisor's availability and willingness to supervise
interns: Students will be supervised for 3 contact hours per week. Student interns will attend one
CH100 lab section per week for 2 hours, where they will gain experience with public speaking and
teaching of core chemistry concepts to lower division undergraduate students. The lab section will
also be supervised by the chemistry professor to provide immediate feedback and guidance during
the teaching experience. Student interns will also be required to attend a 1 hr TA Meeting each week
to help them prepare for the upcoming lab, develop grading rubrics and teaching philosophies, and to
discuss the previous lab and improvements that can be made. The remaining hours will be used by
the student to grade assignments and prepare materials for the upcoming week.
Learning objectives and learning activities: *
Learning Objectives:
• Deepen your understanding of chemical principles and scientific inquiry
• Learn to clearly present chemical data and appropriately interpret scientific results
• Develop leadership skills and public speaking skills
• Develop effective teaching skills and strategies.
• Learn more about your goals and sources of inspiration (Why are you studying Chemistry?)
• Develop your own teaching philosophy and style
Weekly Learning Activities:
• Preparation of and understanding of laboratory equipment and reagents that will be used during
the lab.
• Preparation of a 10 -15 min introduction of laboratory procedures
• Observation and instructional assistance to students during the laboratory period
• Development of grading rubrics and teaching philosophy and grading of laboratory reports
Roles, responsibilities, and duties on intern: *
TA’s will play a fundamental role in the preparation, teaching, and grading of CH104, CH105, and
CH106 laboratory sections. This includes:
• Preparation of and understanding of laboratory equipment and reagents that will be used during
the lab.
• Preparation of a 10 -15 min introduction of laboratory procedures
• Observation and instructional assistance to students during the laboratory period
• Grading of laboratory reports
• 6-10 hours per week (includes attendance at one 2 hour lab course per week; attendance at one
1 hour teaching assistant meeting per week, and time for class/lab preparation and grading)
Experience and Qualifications: Knowledge/Skills/Abilities *
• Applications are preferred from students going into their junior or senior years at WOU. However,
consideration for exceptional sophomore students that have completed the CH104-105-106 series
will be given.
• Completion of the CH104-CH105-CH106 series or equivalent upper division coursework with a
grade of B+ or higher
• Enthusiasm for teaching a chemistry lab course
Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired
Natural Science Majors or Minors that have completed the required coursework or
Health Science Majors that have completed the required coursework or
Pre-Professional/Pre-Nursing students that have completed the required coursework
Example 2- Effective Internship Example
Why is this a good example of an internship?
This internship includes learning objectives and activities as they relate to the project, much
like the previous example above. Also notice how the supervisor indicates specifically how they will
provide time to check in with the intern. This shows dedication to facilitating the development of the
intern.
Communications Intern_____________________________________
Name of Department *
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Name of Supervisor *
First & Last Name
Department Description The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences houses seven academic
divisions as well as the Interdisciplinary Studies and Fire Services programs. The College delivers
most of general education at WOU, along with dozens of major and minor programs in the Creative
Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Business, Math and Computer Science.
Internship Description____________________________________________________
Position Title *
Communications Intern
Hours Per Week
8
Please describe the supervisor's availability and willingness to supervise
interns: The Dean, and her assistant, are generally present in the office and available to consult on
projects. We are excited to have a student who can work with us to develop tools for communicating
more effectively both inside the college and with external audiences. Intern will meet with dean and
assistant at least 2 times a week for 1 hour to check in on goals and progress.
Learning objectives and learning activities: *
Upon completion of the internship, the intern will have improved skills in:
1. Transforming complex information into concise formats, including visual designs.
2. Identifying interesting stories and collecting background information.
3. Editing and incorporating multiple rounds of feedback into final products.
Roles, responsibilities, and duties on intern: *
1. Research and write 2-3 news stories about College of Liberal Arts and Sciences activities each
month. Ideas for news stories will be generated by the Dean and other college personnel, as well
as by the intern.
2. Intern will develop 3-5 visual images that communicate complex information about CLAS
programs and projects in creative and evocative ways.
3. Intern will update news stories on CLAS website on a monthly basis.
Experience and Qualifications: Knowledge/Skills/Abilities *



Skills in graphic design.
Strong writing skills.
Willingness to receive and incorporate constructive feedback.
Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired
Art, Graphic Design, Visual Communication Design, Writing, Communications or other fields where
students develop strong writing and visual communication skills. Students with skills in writing and
visual communication are encouraged to apply, no matter what their major is.
Example 3- Poor Internship Description Example
What is missing in this internship?
Notice how this internship may sound like a good job description. However, internships should
provide a more meaningful experience than a typical job. The job tasks in this description do not
involve the development of skills that are related to expanding knowledge or skill sets related to an
academic program or career goal. These are general duties. Although learning time management and
organization skills are important, they do not lead to a greater understanding of a specific careerrelated skill set. For example, learning how to assess for signs of learning disabilities or academic
challenges would be more appropriate for an internship.
Internships and Jobs- There is a different!
Jobs require effective completion of tasks. In jobs, workers are expected to know exactly how
to do their job and accomplish work projects. Internships are different in that supervisors much
facilitate the learning process of an intern. Supervisors play an active role to ensure their intern
completes tasks that allow interns to develop appropriate skills that are related to intern goals.
Tutoring Center Staff Intern_________________________________
Name of Department *
Tutoring Services
Name of Supervisor *
First & Last Name
Department Description The mission of the Tutoring Center is to provide academic support to
all students. Our primary goal is to create an open atmosphere of learning for students. We assist
students in numerous academic disciplines through a variety of tutoring techniques by addressing
their individual needs in a constructive environment. A part of our mission is to work closely with our
faculty, as well as other offices that support student services.
Internship Description____________________________________________________
Position Title *
Tutoring Center Staff Intern
Hours Per Week
10
Please describe the supervisor's availability and willingness to supervise
interns: Supervisor will be available for questions during office hours.
Learning objectives and learning activities: *
Intern will learn the process and procedures of the tutoring center. Intern will learn how to
manage time and organize tasks by managing front desk duties and greeting students
simultaneously.
Roles, responsibilities, and duties on intern: *
1. Greet visitors entering and exiting the center.
2. Assist students with signing in and out of computers.
3. Answer phones and provide information about the center.
4. Monitor and check out materials.
5. Photocopy.
6. Deliver materials/flyers across campus.
7. Maintain a clean environment within the center.
8. Attend scheduled trainings on Fridays 1:20-2:10 (Dates will be announced at hiring).
9. Work with Tutoring Center Staff to develop a work schedule that
allows for time travel to school, time travel between classes, and time to prepare for one’s own
courses.
Experience and Qualifications: Knowledge/Skills/Abilities *
Good communication and organizational skills, and a friendly disposition.
Computer/typing skills (including some Microsoft Word and Excel experience)
Ability to handle multiple tasks in a responsible and reliable manner.
Maintain high standards of ethical conduct working with students, staff, and faculty.
Respect for diversity of students, staff, and faculty, including race, ethnicity, national origin,
age, gender and other forms of diversity.
Major(s)/Minor(s) Desired Any