Public & Environmental Affairs Internships

What is an internship?

An internship is an opportunity for you to work with professionals in an organization to gain experiential learning and acquire "hands-on" training in a professional setting. Typically ten hours per week per semester, it allows you to apply knowledge and skills from classes, further strengthening your professional connections and development. Some internships are paid, typically $7-$10 per hour. Even unpaid internships have great value: learning in a professional setting, networking, building your resume, and discovering whether that kind of work interests you!

How do I earn credits?
Does the internship fulfill any requirements?

Quick facts:

• You may do several internships during your college career
• 1 credit hour equals 50 hours of internship work
• A typical 3 credit internship is 150 hours of internship work
• Only 3 credits my be applied toward fulfilling major or minor requirements
• Additional internship credits can apply toward your 120 credit minimum total credits for graduation
• Internships may be taken for 3-12 credits
• Internships may be taken in the fall, spring or summer semesters
• Occasionally, students may continue the internship into the following semester and enroll for additional credits

Who can do an internship?
Are there certain pre-requirements?

Quick facts:

• You must be registered major or minor in Environmental Policy and Planning, Public Administration, Political Science, Urban Studies or Economics
• You must also have junior or senior class rank and at least a 2.75 grade point average
• Three courses within the major must be completed prior to the internship

What types of internships are available?

Students have obtained internships in tribal, city, county and state agencies, including Oneida Nation, Brown County, Bay-Lake Regional Planning and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. They have worked for non-profit organizations such as the United Way, Freedom House, On Broadway and St. Vincent Hospital. Students have worked on-campus in Admissions, the Kress Events Center, and other offices. They have worked for a variety of private corporations, including Wisconsin Public Service, Humana, Robert E. Lee and Associates, Bellin Health, Foth and Schneider. Students have worked out in the field as well as in small and large offices.

In short, the array of internship possibilities is broad, and students who persevere should be able to find a position in an organization that appeals to them. To investigate the possibilities, visit the PEA Internship Coordinator or go online to: https://www.uwgb.edu/careers/find-a-job/internships/

How do I find an internship?

Handshake UWGB

Career Planning Internships
LinkedIn

Besides working at the organization, are there any other course requirements?

• Interns are expected to keep track of their hours, documenting the amount of time spent on the internship and the duties performed.
• Interns are expected to contact the Internship Coordinator about two weeks into the internship, and monthly thereafter to let the coordinator know how things are going.
• In addition to the work performed at the sponsoring organization, interns are expected to complete a final 8-10 page paper and a weekly reflection journal, due at the end of the semester.
• Interns are encouraged to participate in the Celebrating Students! event held at the end of the semester.

How are internships graded?

Grades are determined on the quality of the student's work performance, as assessed by the organization's intern supervisor, and the quality of the final report and other materials, as assessed by the faculty internship coordinator. The evaluation asks the organization's internship supervisor to assess the intern's reliability and punctuality, job effort and quality of work, as well as to assign a grade for the intern. The evaluation form emailed to the internship supervisor looks like this:

What are the steps involved in obtaining an internship?

• The key to establishing an internship is to start early -- preferably the semester before the student wants to register for the internship.
• Meet with the Internship Coordinator to prepare a strategy to find the appropriate kind of opportunity. The coordinator can help you get started.
• Prepare a cover letter and resume, then send them to possible sponsoring organizations. The cover letter should express your interest in an internship and the resume should highlight relevant work and academic experience. (Successful interns often approach the process as though they were looking for a job.)
• Once an internship position is identified, and verbal agreement on an acceptable arrangement has been made, a Proposal Form is completed by the PEA Internship Coordinator.
• The proposal form describes the location and duration of the internship, any compensation that may be available, and the duties that the intern will perform for the organization. You then take the proposal form the internship coordinator has filled out, get the appropriate signatures from the organization's supervisor of your internship and our Internship Coordinator, then submit your form at the Registrar's office to register for the internship credits.

Who can I talk to about internship possibilities?

Any PEA faculty can supervise an internship. The Internship Coordinator is: