Internships
The semester of your internship has the potential to be the best and most rewarding semester of your college experience! During your internship, you have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the relationship between classroom theory and its practical application and to acquire and develop skills and competencies needed for your transition from college to a full-time position.
What positions qualify for your internship credits? Some students obtain positions which are titled “Intern” while others have various titles which serve as their internships for RPTS 484 credit. Positions must be related to recreation, tourism, travel and/or parks, and provide opportunities for you to apply the concepts you have learned through RPTS coursework. If you are not certain that a position will qualify for your internship, be sure to have it approved by the Internship Coordinator before accepting the job. In many instances, job descriptions have some flexibility, and interns can focus on a project or program of interest. You will need to discuss your interests and career direction with your prospective employer if you would like to help shape your job responsibilities.
Paid vs. Un-Paid? Internships in which a student is primarily observing professionals while rotating through different departments are sometimes unpaid, as are positions with a variety of organizations which can provide great experience, but have no budget for interns. If you are able to do an unpaid internship, you will have a wider range of choices, but there are many excellent paid internships available as well. Some sites offer housing, meals and other benefits. It is your responsibility to negotiate the benefits of your internship with your prospective employer.
Preparing for Your Internship
Looking for an Internship Site
Reports, Evaluations and Grading
Grading Criteria - used by all Faculty Internship Advisors
Report Requirements for Interns
Questions?
Contact: Susan G. Scott, Internship Coordinator
356 Francis Hall
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-2261
(979) 845-5350
Email: sscott@ag.tamu.edu