To earn credit, your internship must actively involve a faculty person who oversees the academic component and assigns a grade. Factors to consider in finding a sponsor:
- Identify a faculty person with a perspective or background that will help you learn as much as possible in this internship.
- A sponsor does not have to be your academic advisor, although students using the internship for career exploration often seek this person’s support.
- Credit earned will be in the department of the faculty sponsor.
- Some departments will sponsor only students who have previously taken coursework in that academic area.
- While faculty are generally quite supportive of internships, they are not required to serve in this capacity. Respectfully ask for their support and do not demand it.
- Use the Developing the Learning Contract Quick Start Guide (gdoc) to help you in developing your learning objectives, learning tasks/strategies, and evaluation and learning outcomes. Create a draft and share these with your faculty sponsor for their input.
- Discuss with your faculty sponsor how many hours you will complete and how many credits.
- Create a communication plan to share your progress throughout the semester.
- Review the Step-by-Step Guide (gslide) for assistance
- Log in to Handshake using your Macalester username and password.
- Click “Career Center” along the top, then “Experiences”, then “Request an Experience.” Complete the form with your internship details. International students – use your legal (passport) name in the Learning Contract.
All fields are required. Be sure to include:
Employer street address
Internship Title (descriptive)
Start/end dates
Position Description (upload to Handshake) - Once all required information is provided, we will start the approval process. Your faculty sponsor and site supervisor will get an email from Handshake (not Macalester) asking them to approve an “Experience.” You can check the status of approvals in Handshake. You will receive an email from our office with instructions and forms when everyone has approved the experience.
International Students:
International students here on student visas must register their internships for credit, whether it is paid or not. In order to qualify for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) employment, your internship position has to relate to your declared or intended major, not minor or concentration. Also, you can not start any work until CPT is approved by International Student Programs (ISP). Be sure the start date on your learning contract allows time for approval in Handshake and time for ISP to process your CPT.
Come to Career Exploration to sign the Student Agreement form and have the academic internship director sign your add/drop slip. You then take the add/drop slip to the Registrar’s
Please note: All students registering an internship for academic credit for the first time will be required to complete a brief (15 minute) online orientation. Once your forms have been submitted and approved you will receive an email with information on how to access the online orientation course.
Additional Documentation Required for January/Summer
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- January/Summer Registration Form (signed by you and the academic internship director)
- If your internship is taking place outside of the Twin Cities your parents will need to complete the Parent Waiver form. Student Accounts will also have to sign off that your account is clear. (Summer only)