UMD Department of Composition and Department of English Internship Program

Planning for your internship

Before you actually seek an internship, there are several steps you must take.

Step 1: Check the eligibility requirements to determine if you will be at a point within the next few months to seek an internship. If you will be, you should start pulling together the materials you will need to obtain your internship, Steps 2 through 6.
Step 2:

Prepare a list of learning objectives and expectations for your internship. One or more of your learning objectives should relate to each of these categories:

  • Academic Learning and Application (learning new facts and concepts; applying classroom curriculum; applying ideas, concepts, or theories relevant to your academic field)
  • Skill Development (improving interpersonal, verbal, and, particularly, written communication skills; improving your current skills or learning new skills specific to your academic field; improving problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills)
  • Personal Development (helping to confirm a career choice and to clarify work-related values, such as ethical leadership, fair-mindedness, and integrity; developing self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-management; developing maturity and initiative)
Step 3: Obtain a copy of your current transcript from UMD's registrar's office or an unofficial, computer-generated transcript.
Step 4: Ensure that your resume is up to date so that it can be quickly tailored to a company or organization where you'll seek an internship.
Step 5: Start gathering writing samples from your UMD coursework in applicable areas. You will need to take three writing samples to your interview for an internship.
Step 6: Print out copies of the Placement Agreement, the Mid-term Evaluation Form, and the Final Evaluation Form for your reference.
Step 7: E-mail the Comp Internship Coordinator for an appointment to get the ball rolling.

Contact the Departments of Composition and English Internship Coordinator at pwjengl@d.umn.edu for more information.