Dec 8, 2017 - May be set up anywhere in the world: back home, D.C., St. Paul, Paris, etc. How are they different than Fa
JANUARY INTERNSHIPS AT MACALESTER What are they?
Two and a half weeks in length, from January 2-17, 2018 (technically you may count any hours after fall finals) 1 credit (50 hours total), 2 credit (100 hours total). Must register by Friday, December 8, 2017 On-campus January housing applications are due to Residential Life by Friday, Dec. 1 (can flex to December 8)
Benefits:
Great way to catch up or get ahead on credits (and it’s “free”!). Chance to do an internship that expands your experience and builds your resume. May be the only time you can fit an internship into a busy academic schedule. May be set up anywhere in the world: back home, D.C., St. Paul, Paris, etc.
How are they different than Fall & Spring internships?
Focus on doing finite, short-term projects for an organization. Great for doing while at home, using local resources . Great for shadowing experiences too (e.g., healthcare, law). Not conducive for relationship-based settings (e.g., schools, counseling).
What should you know about an organization’s mindset about January internships (in general)?
Organizations rarely advertise these types of experiences (too short a time period to consider). What’s in it for them? They may be concerned that they will put effort into helping you but you will not be around enough to contribute to their mission in a meaningful way. You will need to convince them you can!
What should you do?
Check databases (Handshake, MN Council of Non-Profits, etc.) for internship postings that start in January. Identify organizations you want to know about or engage with. Contact Mac alum in those orgs to help. Contact them and ask if there is a project they need help with in January. Say that you have 50-100 hours available to do some really focused work for them. Focus on the project concept instead of the “internship” for that tends to conjure up concerns of significant time/ energy demands on their part. Utilize your family/friends network to make connections – don’t be afraid to take advantage of these, for organizations/individuals may well be more willing to do this as a favor for a friend than for a stranger.
Think about doing a January/Spring “Combo Package”!
If it’s in the Twin Cities, we suggest doing a January internship that continues into a Spring internship with the same organization. Best of both internship experiences – start with a short, intense January experience to start a project, get fully trained, develop a curriculum, etc. (you can certainly get a lot done in 50-100 hours!) Then, follow through in spring with the delivery of the project, class, or service at a reduced weekly time commitment with a one-, two-, or three-credit internship. Organizations love this, and you get the benefits of both an immersion experience and a prolonged organizational relationship.
