Internships in the School of Economic Sciences

Students in the School of Economic Sciences are encouraged to strengthen the quality of their undergraduate experience by developing internships with federal, state, or local governments, private businesses, or non-profit organizations.

Information for Students/Prospective Interns

What is an internship? 

An internship is a job experience for which you obtain credit hours that count towards your degree.

How can an internship add value to my career? 

Internships permit you to:

1. Learn “on-the-job” skills.
2. Learn about how your interests match with “real world” jobs and help you screen a particular job or organization
3. Provide you with experience which you can show on your resume.
4. Provide you with a reference for future employment. Organizations may want to hire former interns.

Steps to Take

• You are in charge of finding an internship, but many resources exist to help. Discuss your interests with your advisor/faculty mentor as early as possible.
• Research a semester ahead of actually interviewing for internships.
• Prepare materials in advance. Seek assistance to assure that your materials are professional.
  • Prepare your resume
  • Contact your references
  • Prepare cover letters. You will probably need several attuned to different kinds of employers. Your cover letter will also help you prepare for calls with potential internship sponsors.
• Find an internship:
  • Use your personal connections
  • Attend career fairs and similar events
  • Check internship listings at CACD and similar sites (see below)
  • Talk to teachers, advisors, and the SES internship contacts
  • Do telephone and personal interviews with the prospective internship sponsor
  • Dress and act professional!
• Find a faculty internship mentor. While any faculty member in the School may supervise an internship (where appropriate to student and employers interests, and agreed to by the faculty member), the designated SES internship director will be able to help students who have not already established an internship. (See SES internship contacts    below)
• Students may also want to consult with the Washington State University Center for Advising & Career Development.
• Internship agreement. All interns must complete an Internship Learning Agreement (pdf) form before the internship begins, and preferably prior to enrollment. The form must be signed by the intern, the internship supervisor, and the Internship Director.  Please take the signed form to the SES Academic Coordinator, Karla Makus in Hulbert 103K.
• Enroll for three credits (Econ 497).

Contact

Internship

What is it? (From the National Society for Experimental Education)Internship: any carefully monitored work or service experience in which an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what she or he is learning throughout the experience.

Employers

The School of Economic Sciences has a number of qualified students with a high level of skills in analysis and communication.  We welcome and value your potential internship sponsorship.

Contacts

To list an internship opportunity contact: Jaimie Dahl

For more information about internships in the School of Economic Sciences contact: Dr. Eric Jessup.

For other information you can call 509-335-5555.

Useful information for prospective internships sponsors is available at the WSU career services office web site:  Employer Guide to Internships.