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Who coordinates my internship or cooperative education experience?

Academic departments/schools are primarily responsible for placement, supervision, and evaluation of a student in an academic program. Each department/school has an appointed faculty internship coordinator, who acts as a liaison with the employers.

Academic departments/schools determine the following:

• Your eligibility for program participation
• Whether the work experience is intern or cooperative, elective or required
• The number of credit hours to be awarded

Professional Practice Coordinators

If you are interested in professional practice, you are strongly encouraged to contact the internship coordinator in your department/school or the Career Center early in your undergraduate program to ensure proper arrangement.

Professional Practice Coordinators

Contact the Career Center for more information.

Forms for Professional Practice

Professional Practice Health Insurance Certification

Off-campus Fee Reduction Request

Professional Practice Health Insurance Certification (PDF)

Professional Practice Internship Data Sheet (PDF)

Contact the Career Center for more information.

Internship/Professional Practice

There are few better ways to gain professional experience and build your resume than through professional practice. Students and businesses alike benefit from professional practice opportunities such as internships and cooperative education programs. Contact your department/school early in your college career in order to arrange the most beneficial experience.

What is Professional Practice?

Nationally recognized, Illinois State University’s Professional Practice courses offer academically qualified students an opportunity to integrate classroom study with one or more semester terms of paid or unpaid internship experiences.  The classroom study is integrated in a work environment related to your academic and career goals.  Hundreds of organizations in the U.S. and abroad have served as learning sites over the years.  Students interested in enrolling in Professional Practice courses (typically 198, 298, 398 courses in the catalog) should contact their department Internship Coordinator or the Assistant Director for Professional Practice in the Career Center.

Why an Internship?

Internships have become a crucial element in educational training and personal development.  As competition for jobs increases, it will become even more important to seek internship opportunities to market yourself to potential employers.  Internships can provide the competitive edge that will set you apart from other candidates by providing  the practical work experience you need to be successful.  When you have completed one or more internships, it is an indicator to employers that you have gained exposure to the professional world.  Just as important, an internship helps you to build the professional interpersonal skills necessary for success in the job market.  Internships provide you with experience employers know you learned on the job.

• “Internships” at Illinois State University are defined as Professional Practice courses in your major.  Check out the major requirements with your Advisor and/or the Internship Coordinator in your department!

• What is an internship/professional practice at Illinois State University? 

  Professional Practice consists of one or more credit-generating, academic/career related, paid or unpaid work experiences.  Professional Practice work sites are located on the Illinois State University campus and with businesses, governmental and other agencies and organizations outside the University.  Professional Practice courses are designated by the course numbers ending in “98”.

• What exactly is an “internship”? 

  It is a professionally monitored work or service experience for students that provides intentional learning goals and reflects actively on the learning experience; an internship may be part-time or full- time, and may be paid or unpaid.  Tuition and fees are assessed in the usual manner for all credit earned in internship experiences.

Significant Considerations In Obtaining an Internship and Making It Successful

• With the assistance of your department Faculty/Internship Coordinator, select an internship that closely matches the type of job or career you hope to pursue.  Check out information regarding your Faculty/Internship Coordinator!
• Be prepared to go outside of your immediate geographical area for a great internship experience—don’t limit yourself!
• Find out pertinent information about an employer’s internship program application deadlines and requirements.  
• Seriously consider unpaid internships—the benefits can be extremely rewarding.
• Work like your career depends on it, because it does!
• Develop your networks during your internship experience.  Networking is often the key to moving your career forward!

If you have questions or want additional information, contact Pamela J. Cooper,  Assistant Director for Professional Practice at pjcoope@ilstu.edu.