Introduction

The Purpose of an Internship Opportunity

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You must register through MySlice for your internship credits, just like you would for any other class. Register for IST 471 for all IT work experiences. Be sure to enter the number of credit hours you are seeking for the internship. Most iSchool undergrads choose either three (3) or six (6) credits of internship, depending on the number of hours worked. If you seek three (3) credit hours you must work a minimum of 150 hours; six (6) credits would require 300 work hours. iSchool internship courses have a variable amount of credit associated with them, so be sure to enter the correct number of credit hours you plan to earn. MySlice will default to one credit hour if no amount is entered. If you have questions about registering for your internship, contact Kathy Benjamin ( kabenjam@syr.edu ) for your academic advisor for assistance.

In addition, you must document your internship by submitting the forms found in the IST 471 Blackboard course during the semester you are working at the internship. The Proposal form must be uploaded to the IST 471 course on Blackboard at least one week before you begin working. You will not get credit for the internship if you do not turn in this paperwork! In addition, the Proposal cannot be accepted for past work experiences. The three additional forms necessary for internship credit are the Learning Agreement , Student Evaluation and Site Supervisor Evaluation . There are also topics for discussion that require student postings, all of which can be found in the IST 471 course on Blackboard. Be sure to check for any other assignments on the syllabus and/or Content/Assignment section of the Blackboard course.

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• Ernst & Young (EY), New York, NY
• JPMorgan Chase & Co., New York, NY
• Deloitte Consulting, New York, NY
• General Electric (GE), Schenectady, NY
• Sidearm Sports, Syracuse, NY
• Cognizant Technology Solutions, Teaneck, NJ
• Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, Sterling, VA
• Fidelity Investments, Boston, MA
• Iron Mountain, Boston, MA
• Cardinal Health, Dublin, OH
• Crowe Horwath, New York, NY
• Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Washington, DC
• Revlon, New York, NY
• KPMG, New York, NY
• Fox News, New York, NY
• IBM, Gaithersburg, MD
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio, New York, NY
• The Hartford Financial Services Group, Hartford, CT
• Atlantic Records, New York, NY

Who’s Who in the Internship Process

A guide to the important players in your internship opportunity search and successful experience:

Internship Student

This is you. The weight of this experience is on you, but the benefits are yours to reap. Here are some things you MUST do:

• Be proactive in your search for an internship opportunity
• Ask questions and be persistent in securing an internship
• Turn in the necessary paperwork on time
• Meet with your Faculty Supervisor

Faculty Supervisor

This faculty member will act as the professor for the course, assisting you throughout the internship opportunity, contacting your Site Supervisor to track your performance, and assigning your grade.

Site Supervisor

This is the person with whom you will work at the site. He or she is not determined until you have selected a site and been offered a position; and this might not be the same person who hired you. In order to qualify for this position, this person must have skills superior to yours, have professional work experience, and must be willing to guide you and evaluate your work. The Site Supervisor’s main responsibilities are to:

• Advise you in your work
• Orient you to the site
• Provide you with the necessary space and supplies to work
• Assist with completion of the Learning Agreement
• Evaluate you at the completion of your assignment
• Communicate with the Faculty Supervisor in reference to your work

iSchool Career Services & Employer Relations Coordinator

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Center for International Services

International students must see an advisor in this office to ensure that they can work in the United States. There is additional mandatory paperwork required by the CIS that you must complete before starting an internship.

The Center is located on Walnut Place (across Waverly Ave. from Bird Library) and the telephone number is 315-443-2457

Overview of the Internship Process

When you’ve accepted an Internship Position

Step 1: Accept a position and contact your Faculty Supervisor

Ideally, you should contact your faculty supervisor before you accept your position. Your faculty supervisor will make sure that your selected site is appropriate before you have spent significant time filling out paperwork.

Step 2: Register for IST 471  through MySlice

It is preferable to register during the regular registration period for a semester. If you have any registration questions or concerns, contact Kathy Benjamin, Career Services & Employer Relations Coordinator, 114 Hinds Hall, or email her, kabenjam@syr.edu . your academic advisor . You may register before you have found a site if you anticipate that you will find one during a particular semester.

Step 3: Fill out the Proposal Form and submit it to Blackboard course for IST 471

Download the Undergraduate Proposal Form (PDF)

This form must be turned in at least one week before you begin work. This documents your internship opportunity with the School of Information Studies but must still be approved by the faculty supervisor. This form provides the school with a brief, overall outline of what you think you will be doing at the site. While it must have some detail, you do not need to know every aspect of your internship at this point. If you need assistance, discuss the form with your Site or Faculty Supervisor. 

Once you've started working

Step 4: Complete the Learning Agreement

Download the Undergraduate Learning Agreement Form (PDF)

This form should be completed once you have worked 30 hours for the site. By this point, you will have a much better idea of exactly what you are doing on the job, and can detail your assignment more accurately. If there are changes between what you expected to do and what you find you are actually doing, report them here. You may limit your response to the form, or attach additional pages if necessary. This form is an important part of your grade, so it should be taken seriously and filled out with care. Upload your Learning Agreement to the Blackboard course for IST 471 .

Step 5: Check IST 471 in Blackboard  for any additional assignments/postings during the semester

Step 6: Mid-point Evaluation

Expect your Faculty Supervisor to contact your Site Supervisor for a discussion of your performance. In some local cases, the Faculty Supervisor may make a site visit.

Step 7: Finish the work assignment Student Evaluation Form

Download the Student Evaluation Form (PDF)

At this point, you must complete the Student Evaluation Form and upload it to the Blackboard course for IST 471 . This form will not affect your grade, but will give you the opportunity to rate the value of the experience in relation to your overall program at the School of Information Studies and to your career goals.

Step 8 : Ensure that your Site Supervisor has completed the Site Supervisor Evaluation Form

Download the Undergraduate Site Supervisor Evaluation Form (PDF)

Your supervisor will receive a copy of this form early in your  internship, but it is a good idea for you to make sure that he or she is in possession of the correct form, and that it is returned in a timely manner. All site supervisor evaluations should be returned to Kathy Benjamin ( kabenjam@syr.edu ) or faxed to her at 315-443-5673. In addition to the form provided by the School of Information Studies, the Site Supervisor may choose to evaluate your performance using an in- house evaluation form. This is also an excellent time to request that your Site Supervisor provide you with a reference letter for your future use.

Internship Overview Checklist for Students

1. Finding an internship
   •  Meet with your Academic Advisor
   •  Check Handshake and program listserv for internship opportunities
   •  Familiarize yourself with the internship process outlined in this guide
2. After you have accepted an offer
   •  Contact your Faculty Supervisor
   •  Register for IST 471
   •  Meet with your Site Supervisor
   •  Fill out a Proposal Form and submit it to the IST 471 course on Blackboard before starting work at the site
3. During the internship
   •  Fill out the Learning Agreement, upload it to the IST 471 course on Blackboard after you have worked 30 hourson Blackboard
   •  Work the necessary number of hours (50  hours per credit)
   •  Complete any postings and/or assignment(s) for your Faculty Supervisor
4. Upon completion of the assignment
   •  Fill out the Student Evaluation Form
   •  Remind your Site Supervisor to complete an evaluation form
   •  Complete any assignment(s), if required, for your Faculty Supervisor

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