American University Internships: A Comprehensive Guide for Students

American University (AU) recognizes the pivotal role internships play in shaping students' careers. With a significant percentage of both undergraduate and graduate students engaging in internships, AU provides robust support and resources to help students identify and maximize these opportunities. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding internships at American University, covering various aspects from finding the right opportunity to earning academic credit.

The Value of Internships

Internships offer invaluable learning experiences for students, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application. They provide a platform to test classroom theories, develop professional skills, and gain exposure to different career paths. By immersing themselves in a professional setting, students can refine their career goals and build a professional network.

Finding Internship Opportunities

The Open Market vs. The Hidden Market

When searching for internships, students should explore both the open market and the hidden market. The open market consists of publicly advertised positions, while the hidden market involves positions that are not widely advertised. Tapping into the hidden market can offer advantages such as less competition and the potential to leverage existing relationships.

Networking and Professional Organizations

Joining professional associations and membership organizations can provide access to internship opportunities and networking events. These platforms facilitate connections with industry professionals and offer insights into potential career paths.

Micro-Internships

AU partners with platforms like Parker Dewey to offer students professional micro-internships. These short-term, paid, typically-remote projects allow students to gain critical skills and experience with various organizations, from Fortune 100 corporations to emerging startups. Micro-internships are particularly beneficial for early-career professionals looking to launch their careers. International students affiliated with partner programs or attending US-based institutions are also eligible for these opportunities.

Handshake: AU's Recruitment Tool

American University utilizes Handshake, a comprehensive recruitment tool, to connect students with internship opportunities. Students can access a wide range of postings from various organizations and industries. Employers can use Handshake to post and promote internship opportunities for free, making it a valuable resource for both students and organizations.

Internship Programs at American University

Washington Semester Program

American University's Washington Semester Program (WSP) has been a gold standard for D.C. internships since 1947. This program offers students an immersive experience in the heart of the nation's capital, combining internships with dynamic seminars.

The WSP provides an insider's view into the life of a D.C. intern, covering career readiness training, coursework with site visits and guest speakers, and opportunities to experience the vibrant culture of D.C. Students can also participate in student ambassador social media takeovers to learn more about the program.

Washington Semester Program Summer

The Washington Semester Program (WSP) Summer provides an opportunity for students to spend a summer in D.C., work in a D.C. internship, and earn academic credit. Students from other universities are welcome to apply. The summer internship course combines career readiness content to support students in their internships. The program offers access to a database with hundreds of internship openings and thousands of internship leads.

Earning Academic Credit for Internships

At American University, students can earn academic credit for their internships. To be eligible for credit, students must meet certain requirements:

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Academic Standing: Students must be making satisfactory academic progress in their major and have completed 30 earned credit hours at the University or, as a transfer student, at least one semester (with a minimum of 12 earned credit hours).
Substantive Work: The internship must involve more substantive duties than administrative tasks, with non-administrative work comprising at least 85% of the work performed.
Academic Component: The internship must have a significant academic component, guided by an American University instructor. The instructor provides an academic syllabus with clear learning outcomes, communicates regularly with the student, and requires academic assignments to support the internship.
Workplace Evaluation: The instructor is responsible for assessing the student's performance, which may include an assessment by the workplace supervisor. The workplace supervisor's assessment can account for no more than half of the final course grade.

Credit Hour Requirements

The number of earned credits is associated with the minimum interned hours. Students may vary their scheduled hours with the instructor's permission, as long as they meet the total minimum requirement by the end of the semester or term. The maximum number of internship credit hours that may count toward a major is six. Students may take up to a maximum of 12 internship credit hours that count toward the 120 credit hours of their degree program.

Independent Study

Students in good academic standing may register for two types of independent study: Independent Reading and Independent Research. In an Independent Reading course, students read a body of material with minimal formal instruction. In an Independent Research project, students research a topic agreed upon by the student and the instructor. Before registration, the student and faculty member must agree upon the project's title, objective, scope, and credit value (1-6). The department chair or program director must approve the project and faculty member's involvement. Independent study cannot be used for College Writing, University Mathematics, or General Education requirements.

Internships with the U.S. Department of State

The U.S. Department of State offers various internship programs for U.S. citizens enrolled in educational institutions from high school to graduate school. These internships are available at embassies and consulates worldwide, as well as in bureaus located in Washington, D.C., and other Department offices in the United States.

Pathways Internship Program

The Department of State's Pathways Internship Program includes the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP) and the Internship Experience Program (IEP). These programs provide opportunities to work with professionals from diverse backgrounds, including architects, IT professionals, policy experts, and engineers.

Virtual Internship Program

The Department of State also offers a Virtual Internship Program, providing real experience for U.S. citizen college students. Since 2009, thousands of remote interns have contributed to the work of the federal government. The time commitment is about 10 hours per week during the school year, with opportunities ranging from data visualization to political analysis. These internships are paid and may be eligible for course credit.

Fellowship Programs

The Department of State offers several fellowship programs, including:

The Colin Powell Leadership Program: Recruits highly motivated individuals with the potential to become future civil service leaders.
The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program: Supports individuals interested in careers in foreign policy.
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship: Provides opportunities for students pursuing careers in the Foreign Service.
The William D. Clarke, Sr. Diplomatic Security Fellowship: Focuses on strengthening the Department's security capabilities.
The MBA Special Advisor Fellowship: Seeks to enhance the Department's strategic management and operations through innovative solutions and academic insights.

Creating a Positive Internship Experience

For employers offering internships, creating a positive learning environment is crucial. This includes providing value-added opportunities such as structured mentoring programs, specialized training, access to special events, and complimentary meals. Credit-bearing internships should include a minimum of 85% substantive duties and no more than 15% clerical tasks, extending for a minimum of 14 weeks and requiring at least five hours of work per week. Workplace evaluations should account for 25-50% of students' final grades.

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