Internships

What is the internship requirement?

Students in the MPP and MURP degrees complete a professional experience as part of their program. This internship must be a) a minimum of 400 hours, b) primarily professional -evel work, and c) related to the student's academic focus and career goals. The experience is not for credit, although credit can be added through independent study (see below).

What paperwork is required for an internship?

There are two sets of documentation required for Humphrey School 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 also may 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 reques,t and both evaluations will be placed in your file. Copies of student evaluations also are placed in a notebook to serve as a resource for other students seeking internships.

• Internship agreement form
• Student internship evaluation form
• Supervisor internship evaluation form

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:

1. Post-undergraduate professional-level experience of one year or more (FTE).
2. This experience must be related to their field of study at the Humphrey School 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 your faculty advisor and then submitted to the internship coordinator in the Office of Career Services for a final decision. You will be informed of the decision by a copy of the form delivered to your student mailbox. If we need more information, we will e-mail you.

• Internship waiver form

Internship Waiver Petitions should be submitted no later than the semester before your final semester, normally when you submit your Graduate School Program Form. For example, if you are planning to graduate in May, you would 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 your program is that you may not be eligible for internship grant money if you later decide 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. There are a few exceptions, however, 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, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Because of their applied nature, CURA positions can be used towards the internship requirement. Similar assistantships working closely with policy or planning organizations whose focus is off-campus also may qualify. 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, internship coordinator.

Can I participate in two experiences to meet the requirement?

Yes, if the two experiences are related to your academic and career interests and total 400 hours or more. For example, you could work at 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 Internship Coordinator Martha Krohn to be sure your plan will work. You also should submit an internship agreement form and evaluations for each experience.

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 nonprofit and international organizations are less common and more difficult to find. There are various grants available to assist with nonpaid internships. Both paid and unpaid internships may be used to fulfill the internship requirement or be used for independent study credit.

Are there grants to support unpaid internships?

There are various funding resources available to support both unpaid domestic and international internships. The Learning Abroad Center has additional information on possible funding sources.

Can I get credit for my internship?

The internship itself is not for credit. However, you may work with a faculty supervisor to conduct 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 toward 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?

career 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 you can share with organizations you contact. The director of career services also is available to answer potential employers' questions. In addition, there is information for employers on how to design an effective graduate internships on our webiste.

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 280 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 or Martha Krohn 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 School 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 280 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.