Required Internship Program

Professional Internship Program (AT 293 or CSS 493, 3 credits)

Crop and Soil Sciences students in the Bachelor of Science degree and students completing Certificate Programs in the Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences department are required to complete an internship before graduation.  An internship is usually 12 weeks of full-time employment during summer semester (400 hours minimum).  Three credits are earned for the course. Students can enroll in a second internship experience for an additional three credits. Many students complete two or more internships but only enroll in CSS 493 one summer. Students are strongly encouraged to select an employer for whom they have not worked previously.

An internship differs from most summer job experiences in that a greater variety of learning opportunities are provided, and in a more structured and professional environment. Guidance on resume preparation, job interviewing, employer selection, and internship objectives is provided by the department as part of the prerequisite course CSS 192 Professional Development I.

Students, employers and faculty advisors work together to create internship experiences which are an appropriate and meaningful part of the degree program.

Employers and students create an internship plan which is detailed in the Internship Agreement form before the student begins work. The intern submits progress reports and other assignments which are sent to their internship faculty coordinator, who monitors the progress of the internship.  Students also complete an internship project.  An intern evaluation is requested from the employer at the end of the internship.  Students are also required to present a summary of their internship experience to the students enrolled in CSS 192 in the fall semester after they complete the internship. Details can be found in the course syllabi and D2L web site for the course.

Questions may be directed to the course coordinators:

Internship opportunities are numerous and diverse. Some internship opportunities are posted on the Internship and Job Posting webpage.  Potential employers are invited to submit postings to Erin Hannah, Trey Rogers, or Karen Renner according to the instructions given at the top of the Internship and Job Posting webpage.

Printable versions of internship forms

 

 

 

 

 

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