Internships
Benefits of Internships for Students
Internships are valuable work experiences. The difference between an internship and a co-op is primarily in the length of the assignment and ability to receive credit. Internships are typically one summer in length. This may or may not allow your son or daughter the opportunity to get as involved in a project as in a co-op assignment. Students can be invited back multiple summers or use an internship to springboard into a co-op.
During an internship, students do not receive academic credit toward graduation.
Both co-ops and internships are full-time employment for the specified term and provide supervision and guidance from a degreed-engineer.
AN INTERNSHIP PROVIDES PRACTICAL WORK EXPERIENCE:
Your son or daughter will have the opportunity to gain relevant work experience related to his or her field of study prior to graduation from UWM.
PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY TO AFFIRM CAREER CHOICE AND GAIN AN ORIENTATION TO THE WORLD OF WORK:
The internship program provides a solid foundation for your son or daughter's career planning and career guidance in the following ways:
- It is an excellent opportunity to test their interests and abilities in connection with real jobs.
- They will gain firsthand career information and guidance in their internship environment.
GIVES REALITY AND PURPOSE TO LEARNING AND INCREASES STUDENT'S MOTIVATION:
Combining classroom and lab work with real-world experience will enhance your son or daughter's studies, giving them greater meaning. This clearly can lead to an increase in the motivation to learn.
DEVELOPS GREATER HUMAN UNDERSTANDING:
Developing greater understanding of other people and learning varied techniques of human relations occurs through personal contact with co-workers and peers. Plus, during an internship, your son or daughter may face opportunities to make ethical decisions, which will enable them to develop their moral integrity.
ACCELERATES MATURATION:
Through associating with professional people in everyday work, your son or daughter will improve their interpersonal skills, test their judgment and develop their maturity. They will tackle responsibilities and learn to work efficiently under pressure. Your son or daughter's successes will provide them with a higher degree of self-confidence on future tasks.
PROVIDES USEFUL EMPLOYMENT CONTACTS:
Internships provide an opportunity to begin a network of professional contacts that can be of great assistance as your son or daughter seeks permanent positions. Their contacts can also serve as excellent references that will support their aptitude and potential.
FUTURE REWARDS:
Your child's confidence will be higher in their first position than students who do not have practical work experience.
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