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CS Internship Program: General Information
Contents:
- What is an Internship?
- Why Should I Intern?
- Where Can I Intern?
- When Can I Do an Internship?
- Will I Be Paid?
- What Are the Prerequisites for an Internship?
- How Do I Apply for an Internship?
- What happens after I apply?
- What am I required to do during the internship?
- What am I required to do after the internship?
- Who can I contact for more information?
What is an Internship?
A Computer Science internship is a full or part-time job in a real-world organization in which you become a paid employee of a company and perform duties for them that are closely related to your CS studies on campus. Internships differ from regular jobs in that you are in "training" status, and you are expected to combine work with studies.
An internship is also a course (CS454) for which you register and for which you fulfill course requirements (write reports, prepare a presentation, etc.). CS454 is an elective course, which counts toward CS graduation requirements.
An internship is primarily a training experience. Employers expect you to be ready to work when you first come in the door, but they also expect to provide you with training, mentoring, and other learning opportunities. You will be surprised at how fast you learn!
As part of the internship, you will work out expected duties with your potential employer, subject to the approval of the CS454 instructor.
Why Should I Intern?
Classroom training is only a starting point in developing your CS career. Because Computer Science is an applied, practical profession, the best way to learn about it is to do it in a real-world context.
The internship is a good chance to determine if you like a company before committing to a full-time job there. The internship also allows an employer to learn how well you fit into the corporate culture, your ability to work both as a team player and independently, and your ability to grasp and work with new concepts, often under a degree of pressure normally not experienced on the campus.
Students who successfully complete an internship often receive offers of full-time jobs from their intern employers when they graduate. You may even be offered a part-time position while completing your senior year. This works well for the employer - it keeps you engaged with the company, increases your worth to the company, and, allows your continued growth in the professional world.
An internship is a great way to discover the best career area for your personal talents and interests.
Internships often pay very well (though some internships are unpaid). Graduates who have interned typically receive significantly higher starting salaries after graduation and have a better chance at the most competitive positions.
After your industry experience you will be able to make fully informed selection of course electives to round out your academic program at JMU.
You can earn three credit hours of CS elective (CS454).
Where Can I Intern?
Interns can work for any company that is willing to provide an acceptable internship experience. There is no limitation on the location, company size, or industry domain.
To qualify, an internship experience must have the following characteristics:
- The intern must work under the supervision of an experienced IT professional.
- The internship duties must include work that is creative and challenging in nature, e.g., software development, network analysis, database design. Activities that are not acceptable include help-desk functions, installing computers, clerical work, etc.
- The internship must include a training agenda, through formal sessions, on the job training, or some other form.
- The internship must include at least eight weeks of full-time (40 hours/week) employment, or its equivalent (320 hours).
The final decision about what constitutes an acceptable internship experience will be made by the CS454 instructor.
The JMU Career and Academic Planning office is available to help students find an internship, and there are other resources on the Internet. The final responsibility for finding an internship is up to the student, however.
When Can I Do an Internship?
Internships are completed during the summer (May-August) between the junior and senior years of study.
Will I Be Paid?
Typically, starting pay for interns in paid internships begins around $10/hour, and many employers offer fringe benefits in addition. However, it is up to you to agree upon an acceptable salary with your internship employer. Many organizations, especially non-profit, offer unpaid internships, which are also a great way to learn and a way to contribute to the community at the same time.
You will also be responsible for arranging and paying for housing, transportation, and a suitable wardrobe for your internship. You should plan for some up-front expenses for these items.
What Are the Prerequisites for an Internship?
- An officially declared Computer Science (CS) major
- Junior (60+ hrs) standing at the end of the spring term preceding the internship
- Permission of the instructor, which is based upon:
- GPA, academic record, and personal interview. GPA must be at least 2.0 or better overall.
- At least 12 hours of CS courses completed at the end of the spring semester.
- Full-time enrollment at JMU for the fall semester following the internship
How Do I Apply for an Internship?
- Attend the informational meeting that will be called early in the spring semester. You will have a chance to learn more about the available internships and to ask questions about the program.
- Bring a completed Internship Application Form to Prof. Ralph Grove (ISAT/CS 208) during office hours. (See http://www.cs.jmu.edu/users/groverf for a list of office hours.)
What happens after I apply?
The CS454 instructor will contact your internship employer to review the terms of your internship. The position must be approved by the CS454 instructor before you can begin an official internship there.
Once your internship has been approved, you will be notified and given permission to register for CS454. You must register for CS454 before the summer term registration deadline in order to receive academic credit.
Before the end of the Spring semester, a meeting for all approved interns will be called, to discuss expectations and deliverables for CS454, and to answer any of your questions.
You will be responsible for arranging housing, transportation, and a suitable wardrobe for your internship in time to be ready to start working on the agreed date. Although you will receive a salary during your internship, some up-front expenses will be involved.
What am I required to do during the internship?
During the first two weeks of your internship, you, your supervisor, and the CS454 instructor will agree upon your professional responsibilities for the term of the internship. This agreement will guide your performance and evaluation.
Throughout the internship, you should keep a log of your activities, experiences, problems, learning experiences, etc. This will be useful for preparing your report and presentation afterwards.
During the internship, your supervisor will provide written evaluation of your performance twice, after the fourth and eighth weeks (assuming 40 hours/week). The CS454 instructor will also contact you to review your progress and experiences.
What am I required to do after the internship?
At the end of the internship, you will be required to prepare a written report and a presentation before the fall semester begins. You will also be required to give a presentation early in the fall semester to CS faculty and students. After your evaluations, report, and presentation have been completed, your grade will be determined by the CS454 instructor and submitted to the registrar.Your summer grade will be reported as "I" (incomplete), and your final grade will be posted mid-fall.
Who can I contact for more information?
- For information about course requirements for CS454, grades, and eligibility, contact the CS454 instructor, Prof. Ralph Grove.
- For information about resume preparation and searching for an internship, visit Academic Advising and Career Development.
