Things to consider before starting an internship

Internship credits can be earned anytime during your program. To qualify for an internship, you should have finished most of your core courses and acquired a professional behavior. You should be fluent in the English language and able to write and present professional reports that showcase evidence of your academic and innovative capabilities. You should be able to use advanced features of standard software like MS Excel and Word, R, SQL databases or statistical software. You also should have advanced programming skills.

If you're currently looking for internships, the PSM team provides a database where current students can access opportunities for internships specific to the HIB program. 

Remember: You could most likely be the only person with your skill set at your internship site. If you have any concerns with these requirements, please see your advisor or consult the free university resources: Career Center, Information Technology, Student Academic Success Center, Tutoring Center, or the University Libraries. Students who are well qualified for an internship frequently receive job offers right after completing their internship.

After finding an internship site

You will be permitted to register for PSM 691 once you have turned in your internship request form. It is the PSM coordinator's responsibility to register students for PSM 691, so do not go to your program director. Each student needs to complete a minimum of 4 credits of PSM 691 for their degree, and the course can be taken for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 9 credits at a time. This flexibility allows you to select an appropriate number of PSM credits in a semester to maintain full-time status or to limit the semester expenses. 

As the internship begins to draw to a close to an end, it will be time to think about completing the final requirements.

Three things are required:

1. Submit a written report: This report should be reviewed and approved by your internship advisor before it is sent to your graduate program director and the PSM coordinator. Report guidelines are attached.
2. Give an oral presentation on your internship: The contents of this presentation should be approved by your internship advisor and the date and forum for your presentation can be arranged with your graduate program director. 
   • Important: Students who finish their internship in the Summer or early Fall semester have to have their presentation at the PSM Internship Showcase. The students who had their internship in the late Fall and Winter semester should arrange the presentation for the Monday of the exam week of the winter semester. 
3. Be evaluated by your internship advisor: Once your internship is completed, the PSM coordinator will send a request to your advisor asking him or her to fill out a short evaluation. Final grades for PSM 691 will not be impacted by this evaluation since it is mostly an evaluation of the program and not of the student.

We hope this helps guide you on the expectations and steps that need to be taken to complete your internship. For more information, visit the Professional Science Master's Internships page or reach out to the PSM coordinator, who is always willing to guide you along the process.