While part-time jobs may or may not correlate with your desired career field, internships are designed to help you develop the knowledge and skills you will need for professional jobs.
Develop skills in your career field
What is an internship?
An internship can be a paid or unpaid work experience that concentrates in a field of study or career interest. It typically offers work specific to these. This can be a rewarding opportunity to discover where you want to take your future as you apply your personal interests to a work environment. Plus, internships are excellent to include on a resume.
When can I do an internship?
You can do an internship anytime during your undergraduate career. Internships can be an essential experience to discover what you like and dislike about your current career choice or field of study. It can give insight about what work culture you prefer, how you like to work (hands-on or indirectly), and how you want to continue in that career or choose another.
On-Campus Internship Program
The On-Campus Internship Program allows students an opportunity to gain quality internship experience in areas directly related to their academic programs. This program features paid internships that grant students a chance to explore their desired career pathway.
What is OCIP?
The On-Campus Internship Program is an opportunity for students to explore their interests and encounter real-world experiences. The On-Campus Internship Program offers paid internships that are located on campus. While in the program, students develop professional skills, network, and enhance industry-related knowledge.
Here are some of the benefits of participating in the On-Campus Internship Program:
- Be exposed to a professional work environment
- Become oriented to workplace expectations and cultures
- Create a professional network
- Earn experience on your IU Indianapolis Experiential and Applied Learning Record
- Explore career interests
- Gain relevant work experience that can link to a future career path
Professional development
The professional development component provides resources for students to learn about careers they're interested in. This is measured through a point system. Interns have the ability to choose how they procure points based on their personal needs. Below is an outline of the point system:
1 Point
| Career Services Appointments—Students can earn 1 point for each career services appointment scheduled and attended. This could include resume or cover letter review, job search appointment, or career development advising. Online resume and cover letter review submission does not qualify. |
2 Points
| Informational or Mock Interview—Students can conduct an information interview or do a mock interview with a professional for 2 points. This should be done with a professional outside of a career services office. |
2 Points
| Job Shadowing—Students can choose to job shadow at any organization or with any professional in the community of their interest for 2 points each. |
3 Points
| Public Showcase (required)—Students are required to publicly present on what they have learned and worked on at the end of their internship experience. They have several formats they can choose from and may create a showcase that relates to their experience. The points earned for the showcase will count toward the total of 12 points needed. |
3 Points
| Workshops—Workshops will be provided by the Office of Student Employment every other month. Each workshop students attend will be worth 3 points. Students may request credit toward workshops outside of the Office of Student Employment as well. |
3 Points
| Events—Students will receive 3 points for any career development events attended. This could include career fairs, Fall Career Week events, or school-specific career approved events. |
After earning 12 points and completing a year within their internship, the On-Campus Internship Program will be indicated on their IU Indianapolis Experiential and Applied Learning Record.
Check out the following public showcases to hear what students have learned from their internship roles:
How do I find an internship within the program?
Just like applying for any jobs for jags, positions can be found on Handshake! Look for postings with "On-Campus Internship Program" in the position title.
Log in with your IU credentials and get started on your job search! Click the button below to login.
Need help?
If you want help with your job search, resume, or cover letter, connect with us and check out our services.
Frequently asked questions
Internship courses
Some internship programs require that students take an internship course. We recommend meeting with your academic advisor to determine the best class to take. View a list of course options based on individual schools.