Michigan State University's College of Social Science - Office for Experiential Learning defines an internship as an academic, credit-bearing professional development experience that integrates critical self-reflection and career related responsibilities into an undergraduate educational program through participation in planned, supervised, and evaluated professional and academic work. The student intern benefits by acquiring knowledge and honing skills related to their academic and career goals; and the internship organization benefits from the growth and work of student interns.
SSC 493 - Social Science Internship course incorporates methods and concepts from social and behavioral sciences applied in career-related settings.
Once you have secured an internship, or even if you still need assistance finding one, our office can be a resource!
Course instructors serve as liaisons between enrolled students and their internship site. If students experience issues or have concerns involving their internship, they should not hesitate to contact us. We are prepared to communicate with the internship site to come to a resolution.
ATTENTION
MSUFCU Internship Opportunity Award
If you are an MSU undergraduate participating in an unpaid internship, this program is designed to encourage and support your initiative in finding experiential learning opportunities that help you prepare for your career. Internships can be credit-baring or not-credit-bearing.
Award Criteria:
Application Process: Login to D2L, self-register for "MSUFCU Intern Award" course, and complete application - upload resume and personal essay (about 500 words).
Deadline: Tuesday, January 18 at 11:59 PM (for Spring 2022 awards)
Gordon and Norma Guyer Public Policy Internship Award - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR FIELD EXPERIENCE!
The Gordon and Norma Guyer Endowed Internship Program provides scholarships of at least $1000 to support MSU students that participate in credit-bearing (Field Experience, i.e. MC 400/401) public policy related internships. Any student completing Field Experience in Spring 2022 with a public policy-related internship should apply.
To apply: submit application form, resume, personal statement, and transcripts in PDF format to Max Olivero, oliverom@msu.edu.
Deadline: Monday, January 24, 2022 (for Spring 2022 awards)
NOT APPOVING INTERNSHIPS AT THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS: Northwestern Mutual, The Borgen Project, Disney, Disney College Program, PIRGIM, College Works Painting, and College Pro Painters
The following materials must be received by our office by 12:00 pm ET (noon) on the date indicated below:
Students are responsible for the staying current with the status of their application packages.
Spring 2022 Semester: January 31, 2022
Summer 2022 Semester: June 6, 2022
Fall 2022 Semester: September 21, 2022
Students are responsible for all tuition and enrollment deadlines set by the Office of The Registrar, found here
Students who complete internships during their undergraduate career report tremendous personal and professional growth. Check out some recaps of past students' internships.
Eduardo Gonzalez
Major: Economics
Placement: Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, San Francisco
Internship takeaway: My favorite part so far of my internship is that I have had the opportunity to meet so many different intelligent people. Everyone that works for this organization is so nice and helpful. Additionally, it is always fun to meet locals and try to help them improve the local economy.
Advice for future students: Economics is a great major because you can find a job just about anywhere. Despite this, you should definitely go outside your comfort zone to really find what you're passionate about. You never know what type of career you'll really love.
Emily Hill
Major: HDFS
Placement: Network Volunteers, New Orleans
Internship takeaway: I learned about my own sense of independence. This experience helped me to not be so afraid of graduating because I now have the confidence of moving to a new city and taking on a new job alone.
Advice for future students: Get out of your comfort zone! This experience forced me to do things I would have never done in East Lansing. I learned so much about myself and myself as a professional. Interning forced me to grow up and made me a lot more proactive about deciding what I am going to do after graduating.
Breaunte Brown
Major: Human Geography
Placement: Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Flint
Internship takeaway: I learned that my work is appreciated, and that my adaptiveness is well-versed. I was offered experience that I will need in the future. BBBS opened a door for me to make connections and step a foot into the workplace.
Advice for future students: I would advise interns to research the places they want to work. Also, they should definitely talk to multiple places if there are multiple positions available.
Julia Kosnik
Major: Social Relations and Policy
Placement: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Washington, D.C.
Internship takeaway: I learned that the United States is facing a major crisis in regards to immigration that is not always highlighted in the news. I was able to learn so much about a system that is misunderstood. I was able to see the immigration crisis from a political perspective as well as a humanitarian perspective. Through my experience, I realized that I want to work on the humanitarian side of things in the future.
Advice for future students: I would advise students to apply everywhere even if they think it is a long shot. I never thought I would be selected to work for the United Nations. I applied to over 15 locations and I learned something different from every application process and interview. I would recommend students to apply to many places as they can because you never know what might strike a supervisor's eye and lead them to interview you.
Catherine M. White, M.S.
Academic Specialist - Advisor
gamperca@msu.edu
Phone: 517-353-9291
Office for Experiential Learning
College of Social Science
Berkey Hall - 221
Phone: 517-432-4541