Definitions
Term | Internship | Research Internship | Fellowship | Apprenticeships | Shadowing |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Definition | An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. | A research internship is a form of experiential learning that exposes students to the nature and rigors of a research environment under the close supervision of a faculty mentor(s). | Fellowships are funded, short-term opportunities that can last from a few weeks to a few years. They can be focused on professional, academic and/or personal development. | Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction to prepare workers for highly-skilled careers. | Job shadowing means an experience where an individual observes and learns about a job, activity,or activities by walking through the work day as a shadow to a skilled and competent employee. |
Purpose |
Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and gives employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent. |
Research internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for both graduate school and career. | Fellowships are sponsored by a specific association, organization, institution, or government which sets the eligibility requirements. |
Students benefit from apprenticeships by receiving a skills-based education that prepares them for good-paying jobs. (US Department of Labor) |
The experience must be planned for, and structured, with the goal of observing behavior and situations, engaging in interactive questions and answers, and experiencing the link between learning and practice. |
Funding |
Internships can be paid or unpaid. Employers and other organizations may offer stipends or other forms of financial compensation. Funding may also be available from SCU sources. |
Research internships may be funded by the sponsoring faculty member or University. Students are encouraged to review information for each opportunity closely. |
These opportunities encompass nationally competitive grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. (Columbia University) |
Apprentices are paid experiences. | Shadowing does not come with financial compensation. |
Time Commitment |
Length of internship experiences are often 100 - 300 hours. Organizations will set expectations in consultations with students. |
Research internships may run for as little as one summer or a few years. | Fellowships can last a few weeks to a few years. | Apprenticeships are one - three years in length. |
Job shadowing can be anywhere from a few hours, to a day, to a week or more, depending on the job or activity to be experienced. |
Supervision / Mentorship | Close supervision and mentorship for the duration of the internship experience. | Students are supervised and / or mentored by the faculty member conducting research. | Students are supervised and / or mentored by one or more members of the specific organization. | Apprentices receive individualized training with an experienced mentor who walks them through their entire process. | There is no supervision or mentorship with a shadowing experience. |