Penn State
School of Forest Resources Internship Program
Employer Fact Sheet
What is
an internship?
An internship is an off-campus work experience related to a student's
professional interests. The School of Forest Resources does not
require an internship for graduation, but we strongly encourage
students to get some "real-world" experience before they
complete their degree programs. Summer internships are the most
common and most desirable to students. Why hire student interns?
Current enrollments in Forest Science, Wood Products, and Wildlife
and Fisheries Science at Penn State total about 500 undergraduate
students, most of whom are eager for work experience related to
their major. Student interns are capable and highly motivated workers.
Internships give employers the opportunity to "train"
a future resources professional, and to provide the School of Forest
Resources with feedback on how we might better prepare students
in the future. Internships give employers the opportunity to obtain
a technical report or other product completed by an intern as well
as the opportunity for an on-the-job evaluation of potential future
employees.
Paid or unpaid?
Employers may choose to hire students on hourly wages, stipends,
or with no salary. Paid internships are the most desirable since
students often need additional income to help pay school expenses.
Furthermore, students who choose to earn academic credit for an
internship must pay for those credits. Employers may also find it
beneficial to provide a student intern with wages for liability
purposes. Penn State does not cover workmen's compensation or liability
for student interns. Students hired on internships are not eligible
to file unemployment claims upon completion of their internships.
Do students earn credit?
Students who wish to earn academic credit for an internship have
the opportunity to do so. Requirements for earning credit include
establishing learning objectives (in consultation with a faculty
member and the employer), keeping a daily log, maintaining contact
with a faculty member, and preparing mid-term and final reports.
These requirements are laid out in the student's Internship
Handbook. Employers are asked to provide a written evaluation
of student performance.
How do employers find student interns?
The School of Forest Resources can quickly inform students about
any opportunity that may be available. All internship notices are
posted on hallway bulletin boards as well as on our internet job
site. We can collect resumes from applicants and arrange on-campus
interviews for selected candidates, or employers may opt to
handle the application process themselves.
Additional questions? Please contact:
Jamie Murphy
School of Forest Resources
The Pennsylvania State University
114 Forest Resources Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: (814) 863-0362
Fax: (814) 865-3725
jam563@psu.edu
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