| INTERNSHIPS
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) degrees require a noncredit internship as part of the degree program. However, Humphrey students in all degree programs complete internships to gain professional experience in new fields and try out the skills they are learning in the classroom.
See a sample of the recent summer internship sites.
Frequently asked questions about internships
What is the internship requirement?
Students in the MPP and MURP degrees are asked to do a professional experience as part of their education. This internship must be a) a minimum of 400 hours, b) primarily professional level work, and c) related to the student's academic focus and career goals. The experience is not for credit, though credit can be added through independent study (see below).
Do I have to fill out paperwork for an internship requirement?
There are two sets of documentation required for Humphrey Institute internships: the internship agreement, submitted at the beginning of the internship, and the evaluations by student and supervisor at the end. The internship agreement lays out all the goals and conditions of the internship and must be signed by the student, the supervisor and the internship coordinator in the Office of Career Services on behalf of the Institute. The agreement verifies that the internship meets the Institute's requirements. The Institute may also accept state or county internship contract forms in lieu of the Humphrey internship agreement.
The evaluations provide feedback for both the student and the Institute. You can review your supervisor's evaluation on request and both evaluations will be placed in your file. Copies of student evaluations are also placed in a notebook to serve as a resource for other students seeking internships.
- Internship agreement form [ pdf | doc ]
- Student internship evaluation form [ pdf | doc ]
- Supervisor internship evaluation form [ pdf | doc ]
Can I waive the internship requirement?
MPP and MURP students may petition to waive the internship requirement if they can document substantial professional experience in their field of interest. To qualify for a waiver, they must meet the following conditions:
- Post-undergraduate professional-level experience of one year or more (FTE).
- This experience must be related to their field of study at the Humphrey Institute and to their long-term career goals.
To apply for a waiver, fill out the Internship Waiver Petition Form and supply the requested documentation. The form must be signed by the student's faculty adviser and then submitted to the internship coordinator in the Office of Career Services in 225 Humphrey Center for a final decision. The student will be informed of the decision by a copy of the form delivered to his or her student mailbox. If more information is needed to make a decision, the internship coordinator will email the student.
- Internship waiver form [ pdf | doc ]
Internship Waiver Petitions should be submitted no later than the semester before the student's final semester, normally when the Graduate School Program Form is being submitted. For example, a student planning to graduate in May should complete this paperwork the preceding fall semester. Students who petition later than this may delay their graduation if the petition fails. The only disadvantage of petitioning for a waiver early in a student's program is that the student may not be eligible for internship grant money if he or she later decides to do an internship anyway.
Can an assistantship count as an internship?
An assistantship at the University (RA or TA) is an academic job rather than an experience in the professional policy world. Therefore, assistantships are not internships. However, there are a few exceptions, such as assistantships through the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA). CURA sends graduate assistants out into the community to work with neighborhood groups, nonprofits and government agencies. Because of their applied nature, CURA positions can be used towards the internship requirement. Similar assistantships involving close work with policy or planning organizations and whose focus is off-campus may also be counted. These judgments are made on a case-by-case basis. To use an assistantship for your internship requirement, you must get approval in advance from Martha Krohn, mkrohn@umn.edu, Internship Coordinator.
Can I participate in two experiences to meet the requirement?
Yes, if the two experiences make sense as a package, complement each other in some way, and total 400 hours or more. For example, you could do a CURA assistantship with a community development nonprofit during spring semester for 280 hours and a summer internship with the Minneapolis Planning Department for 200 hours.
If you are interested in putting together two experiences, you should talk with Martha Krohn, Internship Coordinator, to be sure the plan will work. You should also plan on doing letters of agreement and evaluations for each experience (see details on paperwork below).
Are internships paid positions?
The availability of paid internships varies with the economy, but normally two-thirds of internships have a salary or stipend. Many of the paid internships pay between $10 and $14 an hour with no benefits. Paid internships with nonprofits and international organizations are less common, and more difficult to find. There are various grant available to assist with nonpaid internships (see below). Both paid and unpaid internships may be used to fulfill the internship requirement or be used for independent study credit (see below).
Are there grants to support unpaid internships?
There are various funding resources available to support both domestic and international unpaid internships.
The International Study and Travel Center in 94 Blegen Hall has additional information on possible funding sources.
Please contact Martha Krohn, Internship Coordinator in the Office of Career Services, with additional questions.
Can I get credit for my internship?
The internship itself is not for credit. However, you may work with a faculty supervisor to do a project related to the internship (usually an analytic paper) as an independent study. You may register for one to three credits, depending on the credit-value of the project. Keep in mind that no more than three independent study credits can be counted towards your degree. You also need permission from the internship organization if you plan to use confidential data or information.
How do I explain the internship requirement to a potential employer?
Employers need to understand what a graduate intern can do for them (as opposed to the undergraduate interns they often work with) and the professional level of the work involved. The Institute has created a Graduate Internship Information Sheet [ pdf | doc ] for employers that students can share with organizations they are contacting. The director of Career Services is also available to answer potential employers' questions. In addition, there is employer information on designing graduate internships on the Career Services website at http://www.hhh.umn.edu/career/graduate_internships.htm
How do I find an internship in Minnesota?
The general rule for any internship search is to research organizations to find those that interest you, watch postings, and - most importantly - talk to people familiar with your field of interest.
Faculty member and fellows are a wonderful resource and may know of organizations you should investigate. Alumni are another great source of information. Many are willing to talk with students about career issues and identify possible opportunities. With nearly 60% of the Institute's alumni in Minnesota, there are many local alumni who can help you explore almost any area of interest.
Career fairs at the Institute and elsewhere at the University are another way to explore interesting organizations. Some on-campus recruiters will also be looking for interns, so sign up for informational interviews when you can. The Career Resource Center in 225 Humphrey has a series of directories, newsletters, and organizational files that can provide good leads.
Although you should watch the internship postings -- you never know when or how the ideal position may pop up -- this is a passive strategy and no substitute for creating your own opportunities. Please talk to Lynne Schuman or Martha Krohn to work out a strategy that is best for you and to get a list of alumni contacts in your field. Also consider signing up for the Alumni Mentor Program to meet professionals and explore options with them.
You may find some ideas for possible internships at Internship Program Websites.
How do I find an internship outside Minnesota?
As with any internship search, the key is to research organizations that interest you, watch postings, and -- most importantly -- talk to people who know the field you want to explore.
Faculty members and fellows are a wonderful resource and may know of organizations nationwide you should investigate. Alumni are another great source of information. Forty percent of Humphrey alumni live and work outside Minnesota; they can be a resource for building a professional network in a new location. In addition, the Career Resource Center in 225 Humphrey has a series of directories, newsletters, and organizational files which can provide good leads. The Internet is invaluable for research into the location you are targeting.
Generally, a combination of networking and targeted contacts with a resume and cover letter is most effective. When possible, you should visit the target location over winter or spring break and do a series of informational interviews (which you set up in advance). A few on-campus recruiters may be looking for interns in Washington, DC, so pay attention to those opportunities as well. Another good source of leads for DC internships is http://www.studentjobs.gov.
You may find some ideas for possible internships at Internship Program Websites.
Please talk to Lynne Schuman, Martha Krohn or Jane Vega to work out a strategy that is best for you and to get a list of alumni contacts in your location.
How do I find an international internship?
The general rule for any internship search is to research organizations to find those that interest you, watch postings, and -- most importantly -- talk to people familiar with your field of interest.
Faculty members and fellows with international interests are a wonderful resource and may know of organizations you should investigate. Some Humphrey alumni live and work overseas and can help you identify opportunities. The broader University of Minnesota alumni group also has many international members. You can inquire about University alumni through the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) at http://www.alumni.umn.edu/.
The International Fellows who study at the Humphrey Institute each year come from many countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East and former Soviet Union. They can be a great source of ideas and knowledge. The International Study and Travel Center (ISTC) in 94 Blegen Hall, is also worth a visit. ISTC administers a structured international graduate internship program; watch for the posted positions. Other sources include the MacArthur Center in 260 Social Science Building or the Human Rights Center in 437 Law Center where you will find files of international internship possibilities. The Career Resource Center in 225 Humphrey has a series of directories, newsletters, and organizational files which can provide good leads. The Internet is also invaluable for researching various organizations in your target location.
You may find some ideas for possible internships at Internship Program Websites.
Generally, a combination of networking and targeted contacts with a resume and cover letter is most effective. Please talk to Lynne Schuman or Martha Krohn to work out a strategy that is best for you and to find possible alumni contacts and other resources in your desired location.
When should I start looking?
The further away your target location, the earlier you should start looking. If you're looking for an international internship, start researching organizations in the early fall and be prepared to send out applications or letters of inquiry by December or January at the latest. Some deadlines (including the State Department) are as early as November 1, so be alert to postings and know the deadlines for the organizations in which you are interested.
If you plan to apply for internship grants, be aware that you need to arrange the internship and have a letter from the internship organization before the grant application deadline (usually in early February through March).
For domestic internships outside Minnesota, you should start your search no later than December or January. If you plan to travel to the area over winter or spring break, be ready to take advantage of that time by setting up informational interviews and polishing your resume.
For internships in Minnesota, start your research and initial contacts in January or February. Many organizations won't be ready to hire that early, but you can learn about them and their deadlines. |
