Santa Clara University

What Makes an Internship Great?

• Criteria for a Quality Internship:

  • An established program, committed resources, and an involved supervisor or mentor.
  • Exposure to various departments and/or functions (e.g., the opportunity to attend staff or client meetings).
  • A "start to finish" project and a resulting product (a report, a paper, a presentation).
  • An opportunity to be considered for a full-time, professional position at graduation.

  Ensure your internship will provide you with a quality learning experience by asking for a description of the intern duties and responsibilities before you agree to accept the position.

• Questions to Ask:

  • What sort of training and supervision will be provided?
  • Is there an opportunity to work on any special projects?
  • What career-specific skills can I expect to learn from this internship?
  • Are there any clerical tasks involved? If so, what percentage of my time will be on them?