Internships
Want to set yourself off from the crowd looking for work after graduation? Internships offer students an opportunity for experiential learning that is increasingly valued in the marketplace - a way of helping students set themselves apart and providing opportunities to build job-related skills.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers' annual survey, work experience ranks second on the top ten list of personal characteristics employers are looking for in job candidates. The Economic Department, recognizing the importance of "real" world experiences, encourages students to explore the possibility of an internship. The internship will provide you with a chance to combine classroom learning with an apprenticeship in a field of interest - an opportunity to bridge the gap between academia and the working world. It will also help you begin to develop that network of contacts that will help when you graduate, and anyone interested in an internship should be sure to talk with the people at University Year for Action - Internship Program and the Economic Department Chair.
To be eligible for an internship sponsored by the Department, a student must have completed at least 45 graduation credits with a GPA of at least 2.5. You will want to meet with the Department Chair to discuss the possibilities no later than mid semester in the semester prior to the internship, although there are no limitations on making an appointment to discuss future possibilities. To receive academic credit through the Economics Department for the internship - a maximum of three credits - you will need a contract that specifies all of your responsibilities during the internship plus a satisfactory performance review from your internship supervisor. This three-credit internship generally involves working from 8-10 hours per week, and interns are generally not paid. If you are getting paid it’s a job and we tend not to give course credit. To receive credit you must sign up for either ECN351 (fall) or ECN352 (spring) "Assigned work." This can only be done through the override process. You should print out the Internship Description and Contract as well as the Internship Evaluation and and bring it to the Department Chair.
Some recent and current internships include: Rep. Patrick Kennedy’s office, Sen. Jack Reed’s office, JSA Research, Prudential Insurance, RI General Assembly Policy Research office, Paine Webber, Solomon Smith Barney, Richard C. Young & Co., Pershing Trading Company, American Federation of Teachers (Wash.), Prebon Yamane USA (New York international banking), UBS Warburg, and the RI Economic Policy Council.
It is possible, however, to receive more than 3 credit for an internship. Full time internships (15 credits) are available through the Office of Internships & Experiential Education, and if you are interested in one you will need to set up a meeting with both someone in the Office of Internships & Experiential Education as well as the Department's Director of Internships because you will need a Department sponsor for the internship. This is option offers some great possibilities for students who want to work off-campus for a semester, which is what will be required for many of the internship programs sponsored by large corporations or non profit organizations.
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