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Industrial Attachment

College Internships. The Bridge between School and the World of Work

The Knutsford University Administration Division has a full-time faculty member who serves as internship coordinator for our students.

Internships are available for academic credit and students are encouraged to take advantage of the wealth of internship opportunities available to them.

To access and apply to internships, submit your résumé for review at: careerambassador@knutsford.university

Student Internships

Internship programmes permit advertising, journalism, organizational communication, public relations, and telecommunication majors to work in a professional capacity with newspapers, radio and television stations, advertising and public relations agencies, and also with industrial concerns. Students gain field experience at the same time as a part of their academic training.

Fast Facts Regarding Internships

Goals

The Communication Internship is an opportunity for students to move from the study of liberal arts to their application as practical arts, specifically by improving students' essential skills in interpersonal communication, leadership, team participation and time management, through a cooperative learning environment, while recognizing and evaluating ethical dilemmas and the concept of vocation by observing professionals.

Prerequisites

To be eligible for an internship, the applicant must have:

  • Completed 75 units
  • Completed all prerequisite courses required by the major (see your major advisor if you have any questions)

Registration

A student must complete the registration process to be enrolled in an internship. Description of the process and required forms is available on the internship pages at Career Services.

Requirements

In addition to hours worked, a student must meet each of these criteria in order to obtain an internship for credit. Students:

  • must maintain a daily work journal at the internship site.
  • must complete a final Student Evaluation Form by the Wednesday before finals.
  • must have an internship supervisor complete the Internship Supervisor Evaluation by the Wednesday before finals.
  • need to attend and complete assignments for each mandatory internship class meetings held throughout the semester.
  • must submit a written reflection paper (paper length determined by credit hours).
  • need to maintain work samples to demonstrate their application of skills.

Hours & Units

Students may take up to four units of internship credit, and may spread the units across two or more summer terms. One unit equals 45 contact hours of work during the semester. Work hours should neither be sporadic over a term, nor intensive over a few days. Ideally, for every one unit, the student should work at least three hours for at least 15 weeks (or at least eight hours per week in a full summer block). Retroactive or advance "credit" is not granted for hours worked outside a term's time frame.

  • 1 Unit = 45 Contact Hours (3 Hours/Week for 15 Weeks)
  • 2 Units = 90 Contact Hours (6 Hours/Week for 15 Weeks)
  • 3 Units = 135 Contact Hours (9 Hours/Week for 15 Weeks)
  • 4 Units = 180 Contact Hours (12 Hours/Week for 15 Weeks)

Deadlines for Enrollment

Students must submit the required forms to the Communication Division before the second week of classes in Fall and Spring and by the first day of class during Summer Sessions I, II, and III (depending on which session you want to enroll in).

Internship Class

There is a mandatory internship class for the Fall and Spring semesters. All students who are enrolled in an internship must attend the class. The date for the first internship class is listed in the class schedule. All of those who are enrolled in an internship will also receive an e-mail from the Internship Coordinator regarding the class.

Frequently Asked Questions about Internships

What is an internship?

An internship is an opportunity provided by an employer for the purpose of providing a substantial learning experience about a particular field while gaining real-world work experience. Academic Internships should include the following:

Registration for Fall or Spring semester, end of second week of the term. Registration for summer 2nd day of each summer block.
Authentic, structured and meaningful work experience with increasing responsibility.
Participation in a planned learning environment, within a formal place of business, with direct supervision and on-going training. Students must report to a business site; internships that allow students to remotely/virtually or in a home-based business do not meet approved internship standards.
Well-defined learning objectives, which are measurable and can be completed over the course of the internship. Learning may be creative in nature, project-oriented, facilitate the acquisition of new knowledge, and/or personal development.

How will I benefit from interning?

How will I benefit?

Gain experience in the marketplace
Engage in career exploration and preparation
Apply academic learning in a professional environment
Contribute to an organization in a meaningful way
Build relationships and expand your professional network
Prove your worth to a company or organization you want to work for

Paid, Unpaid, or Credit?

A variety of options exist for student interns:

Paid Internship - minimum wage laws apply (recommended)
Unpaid Internship - for-profit companies must meet the Fair Labor Standards Act
Academic Credit - you can receive credit for a paid or unpaid internship but you must register to do so

How do I enroll for academic credit?

Make sure the internship meets the requirements of an academic internship (above)
Each unit of credit requires 45 internship hours
Follow detailed instructions for Internship Enrollment & Approval Process
Or contact your faculty advisor to request enrollment information.

What do I need to know about Summer Internships?

Start your search early - summer internships are competitive and many recruit as early as November or December
All standard tuition fees and schedules apply for registered internship units. Consult the catalog for the specific amount.
A summer scholarship is available to cover the cost of up to two units of credit when you enroll for at least one unit of graded internship credit
Please Note: The units you are enrolled in will be charged to your student account. A few business days later the 2-unit scholarship will be applied. If the scholarship is not on your account a 5-7 business days after the summer session in which you are enrolled has begun, please contact Financial Aid.

Students with transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, analytical thinking, and creative thinking
Students who participate in clubs or activities related to their major or those who hold leadership positions in student organizations
Students who participate in volunteer activities, student employment, internships, or undergraduate research
Any kind of relevant work experience or special skill sets

Start a semester in advance
Meet with an Industry Specialist in your field of interest
Explore options through your personal and professional network
Intern with companies you might want to work for
Update and tailor your résumé and cover letter
Seek faculty input or guidance

Pro Tip: Look for an internship that offers you a substantial experience. Determine how this experience will benefit your education and career goals. Ask how closely you will work with top professionals in the field. Ask what types of orientation, ongoing training, and periodic reviews will be scheduled. Finally, design an educational objective that links your classroom learning to your work on the job.

Graduate, non-degree seeking, and part-time students (as of add/drop) are automatically exempt from enrollment in the Chapel/Convocation Series. The review committee may also grant exemptions for the following reasons, but students MUST fill out an Exemption Request Form for each semester:

Mandatory internship or student teaching for your major, supported by a letter signed by a department chairperson
"Lifetime Learners," defined as students who are over the age of 30;
Non-traditional students with children;
"5th-Year Seniors" (students who have completed 8 semesters of Convocation);
Students commuting more than 30 miles to campus, with proof of residency;
Adverse medical conditions with documentation signed by a licensed physician

Yes! Are you taking an internship for graded academic credit in the Fall or Spring? If so, you may be eligible for a scholarship! Learn more about Internship Scholarships.

Call +233 244 372 072 / 269 604 253 to get help and make an appointment.