Internship

Overview

-INTERNSHIP TEMPORARILY ON HOLD-

The Department of Humanities & Cultural Studies (HCS) offers an internship for Tampa-based, degree-seeking students declared as HUM or AMS majors and who have earned at least 12 credit hours of approved courses in the major prior to starting the internship. This internship consists of supervised work-and-learning experience in humanities and cultural issues under the direction of a University faculty member/administrator and an employee of a participating sponsor organization. The internship counts as a major elective. Specifically, it counts as a "concentration" course for HUM majors, an upper-level elective for AMS majors, and an "interdisciplinary cultural studies" course for HUM majors who are pursuing a track in film & new media studies.

Students participating in the internship must enroll in the HUM 4940 Internship in Humanities & Cultural Studies class (and, in some instances, AMS 4940 to make sure the credits equal 3). This class earns up to 3 semester hours of academic credit. Students report to the HCS Internship Coordinator weekly through formal status reports via webform. A final professional portfolio and final reflection paper are significant parts of this experience.

Local Tampa Bay businesses and organizations sponsoring students direct and council the intern in an on-the-job context for 10-12 hours each week for each 15-week semester (135 total work hours for 3 credits). Sponsors are encouraged to treat the intern as a regular employee during the entire work-learning experience. The student's direct supervisor will evaluate the intern at mid-semester and at the end of the term. These evaluations are a significant factor in the student's internship class final grade assignment.

"Internships: Why Are They Important?"

quote                   Universum’s research shows that there is a higher percentage of leaders among liberal arts students than any other field of study except business, and in a time when companies are looking to the Millennial generation for leaders who they can develop from within and expect to eventually take over, liberal arts students are often great fits as dynamic, inquisitive people that want to make a difference."

[Forbes 6/21/2013]

Students Benefits

Students Benefits

In addition to acquiring internship work experience, students receive three semester credit hours of coursework credit by participating in HUM 4940 Internship in Humanities & Cultural Studies class. The internship experience also allows students to

  • Develop job search and interview skills
  • Explore diverse career options and interests
  • Develop or enhance professional skills and knowledge of workplace procedures
  • Develop networking contacts with professionals in a relevant field
  • Enhance professional résumés through on-the-job experience
  • Develop teamwork and leadership skills
  • Apply classroom learning to authentic work experience

Sponsor Benefits

Companies and organizations hosting interns benefit by having active and enthusiastic members of the workforce who are acquainted with the most recent practical tools and theory related to professional and technical communication. Interns also allow host enterprises to

  • Develop new solutions for common business practices
  • Integrate the latest tools and techniques into the daily workflow
  • Refine management skills by scheduling and supervising interns
  • Develop potential new employees or volunteers
  • Influence HCS curriculum development at USF to better meet business and industry standards
  • Contribute to the Tampa Bay professional community by enhancing and expanding available local talent

Get Started Today

Beginning your internship experience or becoming an internship program sponsor is just a mouse-click away. Use the links on the left to review more specific information as a student or sponsor. Get started today and discover the advantages of the USF Department of Humanities & Cultural Internship Program.

Hear from our Students
"I think internships are important because they give you hands on experience in a field that you may want in a career in." - Brittany King "It can be a good training experience for people who want to obtain a job with a company to get to know their policies and how they operate as a company." - Jane Kim "The partnership with the companies for the internships is something that other colleges should look at and consider." - Jacqulyn Kagan "I have benefited incredibly from my internship and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity." - William McDonough