Frequently Asked Questions
What is an internship?
You can find Brandeis' definition of an internship by visiting Step 1: Getting Started.
TOPHow do I find an internship?
Begin your search by looking through ALL of Five Steps Toward an Internship. Once you understand the process, search through resources organized under Where to Look.
TOPWhy would I do one? What will I get out of it?
- Connect academic interests to real-world experiences
- Explore career fields
- Develop skill sets (transferable to most jobs and/or specific to a field)
- Individualized mentoring with supervisor or faculty
- Networking connections
When is the best time to apply? Am I too late?
- The timeline for internship applications depends heavily on the field, type of internship, and, of course, your start date. For more generalized information on timelines, visit the Timelines page.
What is the difference between an internship for-credit and not-for-credit?
- A for-credit internship is a faculty-supervised experience where a student receives credit for combining hands-on learning with a rigorous academic component. Students enroll in one of the following internship courses: 89a/b Internship 4-credit class, a 92a/b 4-credit Independent Internship & Analysis, an international internship through Study Abroad, and a summer 1-credit internship INT 92g. For detailed information,visit the Majors and Credit section of the website. Students have several credit options for summer internships.
- A not-for-credit internship is an opportunity for students to gain hands on experience in a field of their interest but there is not an academic component supervised by a Faculty member and thus no credit received. However, students who chose this option may receive Transcript Notation.
How do I find an internship in my major?
- Internship requirements and opportunities vary by Major/Minor. You may visit the Majors & Minors Options page or use the Drop-down Menu above to select an academic program then click GO. These pages provide information including Requirements, Contacts and Previous Internship Placements.
- After doing initial research, speak to your UDRs, UAHs (Undergraduate Advising Head) and faculty for suggestions.
- Use JAMIN and Field-Specific resources.
How do I get transcript notation?
- All information regarding Transcript Notation program is available here.
- Make sure that your employer can accept TN and that you in fact do not need academic credit.
Can I get paid? Where do I find funding?
- About 50% of the internships posted in JAMIN last year were not paid, but some companies will pay you. Paid internships are naturally more competitive, so make sure you have an intentional strategy. See Step 3: Preparing for the Search.
- The University does not differentiate paid or unpaid internships when it comes to credit or Transcript Notation.
- You can find information on scholarships on our Funding site.
How do I find housing for my summer internship?
- Some highly selective internships will provide you with room and board. The deadline for these internships starts around November 15, so plan accordingly.
- Information on summer housing is available under our Housing site.
Where have other Brandeis students interned?
A comprehensive database is being constructed and will be available in October 2007. In the meantime:
- select a discipline from the drop-down menu and find placement sites based on your major to see where previous Brandeis students have interned.
- speak with your UDR or faculty about connecting you to other students who have done internships.
- make an appointment with Hiatt for internships suggestions.