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April 24, 2008
Internships!
Now that I've finished my first year, it's time to find an internship for the summer. In general, many SI students spend the summer working at an internship because it is the best way to get six Practical Engagement Experience (PEP) credits all at once (a minimum of six is required for graduation). Some students get their PEP credits through coursework or smaller internships during the school year. I have decided to do the latter.
You see, there are two classes through which internships can be magically turned into PEP credit (See http://www.si.umich.edu/outreach/pep.htm for details). Long story short, one can be completed in Fall for a summer internship, while the other must be completed in Spring/Summer, complete with Spring/Summer tuition. However, the Fall class is only available for full-time internships.
I have about 101 projects I would like to accomplish this summer, very few-if any-are mentored. Therefore, I have decided to get all of my PEP credit from coursework and pursue an internship without academic credit. This gives me the whole summer to find something, part-time or full-time for four months or two, whatever works.
Right now I'm waiting on a dream gig over at the Ypsilanti District Library. Though a number of local public libraries are hiring interns this summer (and I have applied, believe you me), when a professor told me she could set me up to talk with the Community Liaison in Ypsilanti I jumped at the chance.
It was a great talk, and I really encourage anyone to do the same. If you hear of someone with a job you want, see if you can meet with them. It was a great chance to hear what the job entails and what features make for a good candidate. Also, in talking with her I was able to hear about internship opportunities, meet a number of people in the library and get my name and face in there so that when I turned in my materials the next day they already knew who I was. Also, I was able to talk with them about my interest in a split-time internship between two departments of interest, and meet both department heads. This is what they're talking about when they press the importance of networking.
I'll keep you posted on how this pans out. How exciting! With a part-time internship I will still have time to work on my individual projects (at my own pace) while also getting mentored experience for next year!
Posted by messelti at April 24, 2008 03:42 PM