Eligible Politics and Government majors may earn academic credit for approved internships. To qualify for credit, an internship must be related in some meaningful way to politics, government, public service, or other facets of civic life.
Undergraduate students who have completed at least 45 credit hours, six of which are political science courses, with a GPA of at least 2.5 qualify for internship. Graduate students must be in good standing with the department. Additional requirements and qualifications can be found here.
Internships can be taken in the Spring, Summer, or Fall. Students should begin their search a full semester in advance of their preferred semester!
Internships are offered to eligible students for academic credit. Each credit hour requires 45 hours of internship. Students must also fulfill additional course requirements as detailed in the syllabus. (The course syllabus will be made available to students with approved internships.)
Students will be given a letter grade (A-F) based on hours fulfilled, along with timely submission of work logs, mid-term and final supervisor evaluations, and final projects.
Duties vary according to internship. You will negotiate your internship duties with your supervisor.
Most internships offer no pay and students should expect that. Occasionally an internship offers a stipend or hourly wage. You will need to take this into consideration when applying for internships.
Students should download the application form and bring it to the Department's Walk-In hours or email Dr. Riverstone-Newell for an appointment, if those hours are unworkable (see below). Once your application is approved, Dr. Riverstone-Newell will help with your internship search. If you have already found an internship, you will be asked to complete the internship packet.
Students should prepare a resume and have it available at your application meeting. Resume preparation and critiques are available through ISU's Career Center. Students should also be aware that the Career Center offers mock interviews and one-on-one career advisement at no charge.
There are a number of ways to find an internship. Students are encouraged to browse the many online databases to identify interest areas and potential opportunities. You can begin this process before your first meeting with Dr. Riverstone-Newell.
In addition, the Department maintains a listing of local and regional opportunities; these are employers who have requested that interested students apply. For information about these listings, email Dr. Riverstone-Newell
The ISU Career Center offers a number of job and internship fairs throughout the year. You are encouraged to attend these fairs as many local and national organizations will be available to discuss their opportunities.
ISU's Career Center also maintains a database which is available only to ISU students.
Spring 2010 Walk-In Hours are Mondays from 4-5 and Fridays from 2-3 in SCH 426. Students who cannot meet during walk-in hours may make an appointment by emailing Dr. Riverstone-Newell.
Email - lrivers@ilstu.edu
Phone - 438-2480
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