Certificate Internships

An important component of the Certificate Program is a summer internship or research project. The purpose of the internship is to offer students experiences that have a positive impact on their intellectual, professional and personal development through exposure to work environments that they might not otherwise encounter as an undergraduate. It is expected that students will be offered access to stimulating ideas and people in their field of study and be given substantive, meaningful work to do that will assist them in achieving their goals. Students will prepare for the internship by completing a customized program of academic courses including the Certificate Seminar.

The Center will assist students in finding an internship or research project in the summer following their junior year, and will provide a $3,000 stipend for an eight to ten-week full-time position. All students must complete the mandatory sophomore and junior sessions offered by CELS in order to retain eligibility for a funded internship. Students are expected to negotiate an agreement with prospective employers prior to commencing the internship, but need to understand that they may need to renegotiate the agreement once they have started work. It is important that employers understand what students desire to get out of the work experience and that they agree to a project that furthers the student's research project and/or educational interests. Students also must have a clear understanding of their employer's expectations and the benefit of the internship to the organization. They will complete an internship learning agreement for approval by the Center, prior to leaving for the summer. On their return, they will refine the relationship between their summer experiences and their senior integrative project. The Center will expect an evaluation of the student by their sponsor upon completion of the internship. The students will complete an internship questionnaire and reflection paper when they return to college in the fall.

Handbook

Certificate Program

Connecticut College Internship Database

Internships Completed by Previous Certificate Students