On January 3, 2011, the first ever Exploration of Academic Internships class at UC will convene, and 50 students from majors across the University will kick off the University of Cincinnati Academic Internship Program. This program was designed leveraging the experience in providing world class professional experience to students that UC has gained in the over 100 year history of the co-op program to build an internship program that opens access to professional opportunities to new populations of students and partner organizations.
I’m writing today to introduce you to the Academic Internship Program, and to encourage you to pass the word on to students for whom you think this program would be beneficial.
A UC intern is:
- A student of at least Junior status (90+ hours) in any major across the University, from communications, to political science, to accounting, to organizational leadership, to psychology; who is not enrolled in or eligible to enroll in the co-op program
- Able to earn 3-12 credit hours for their internship experience
- Expected to work with a company or non-profit organization for a single term
- Flexible in the number of hours they are required to work per week; anywhere between 10 and 30
- Able to consider positions for which they will not be compensated
In my communications with companies and non-profit organizations, I’m including a few examples of the value in intern might bring, such as:
- Helping to re-invigorate an organization’s informational/promotional materials and strategies
- Providing much needed assistance and expertise to plan and execute special events
- Taking a fresh look at an organization’s operations to adapt and change with the times
- Conduct research into how an organization can grow, extend its reach and expand into new areas
The internship program will be a two quarter sequence for students. They will take a preparatory course (WI 2011, 36PD300) during which they’ll be covering material related to success in securing and working in an internship. During the course, students will also be working with me to secure internship placements for the following term. The first class of students participating in this program will be available for internship placements for the Spring term (28.March-10.June) following their completion of the preparatory course this Winter term.
We’re very excited about this program and I encourage you to pass the word on to eligible students who would benefit from the professional experience provided by an internship.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss the Academic Internship Program with you as an individual or with any group of interested individuals. If you’d like me to provide any more details, feel free to give me a call or send an email and we can arrange to meet.
Have a great day!
Zach Osborne, MEd
Manager of Academic Internships, Center for Cooperative Education Research and Innovation
University of Cincinnati
Steger Student Life Center, 830E
Phone: 513.556.0387
