Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to your questions!
What is an internship?
An internship is a part-time work or research experience in which you spend about 10-15 hours a week working in a position. Most times, you will receive class credit that counts toward your degree for doing an internship.
Why do I need an internship?
Depending on your major, an internship may be required. This is to prepare you for work after graduation in which you use your degree on a day-to-day basis as well as help connect you with employers.
Do I have to register for a class?
Yes! In order to do an internship for credit, you will need to be registered for ENGL 368/369/468 which happens after you complete your internship application.
How do I get the Mellon Grant?
In order to receive funding through the Mellon Grant, you will need to first apply for your internship and register for the class. From there, you can find the application on the Monarch Humanities Internship Academy website. The Mellon Grant is only for unpaid internships at government agencies, public service fields, or nonprofit organizations.
How do I do an internship?
First, you find the internship through a couple different places, including the Monarch Humanities Internship Academy. From there, you'll complete the application for the English internship class.
What forms do I need?
There are two forms you need: The ODU English internship application and the timesheet for tracking your hours throughout the semester. Both are on our resources page!
I want my students to learn about internships but don't know how to include it in my class.
We have sample syllabi and lesson plans to help faculty include internship preparation into their courses.
Can you find an internship for me?
No. We can point you to resources, but in the end, it's up to you to find the internship that you think will be best for you and apply for it. It's important practice for applying for work post-graduation.
What if I plan to go to graduate school after graduation?
Internships can still be valuable! Many graduate schools offer students assistantships, where they work for the school while doing the degree. The work experience from doing an internship can inform how you do your assistantship and even the position you choose.
Don't see your question?
Send us an email at englishinternships@odu.edu