Internship FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Internships

When can I do an internship? A Gettysburg College Internship can be done part-time during the fall or spring semester or full-time during the summer.

Where can I do an internship? A student can work in an internship in the local Gettysburg area, near his or her home, or abroad.

How much time do I have to put in when I do an internship? Students are expected to commit a minimum of 160 hours a semester at their internship site. It's helpful if you can arrange to work for blocks of time, for example, two afternoons a week, or one full day each week.

Can I get academic credit for performing my internship? Some academic departments allow students to seek academic credit for their internship experience. Students should contact their department adviser about this. All students seeking academic credit should review carefully the college's policy on academic credit and their respective academic department criteria and be sure they meet all requirements.

Can I receive a salary/pay and credit? Internships can be paid or unpaid.

Can I do a career-related internship not for academic credit? Yes. Students who are not seeking academic credit can officially record their internship by completing a College Approved Learning Contract. This form does not carry any academic credit, but does document that the student has worked in the internship. This is advantageous to pursue because the Career Center then sends an evaluation form to the internship site supervisor that the student can later provide to future employers and graduate schools.

What paperwork do I need to complete? Students must register with the Center for Career Development, and complete a learning contract and an evaluation form in order for their internship to be officially documented. Visit the Internship Paperwork page for details.

Are there registration deadlines? Yes. June 15 is the deadline to have all paperwork for summer internships turned in to the Center for Career Development. Drop/Add Deadline - During the fall and spring semesters, the last day to register for an internship for academic credit is the drop/add date. Just as in the summer, all paperwork must be turned into the Center for Career Development by this date and a course registration form must be handed in to the Registrar's Office by this deadline. Please contact the Registrar's Office at x6240 for the current semester deadline date.

My employer wants me to have the school sign a liability waiver. Can I have this done? No. Gettysburg College will not sign a form that releases the employer from liability concerns.

How do I get information about internships if I am studying abroad? If you are planning to study abroad, it is best if you come into the Career Center early in the semester, prior to your going abroad. Then the office staff can assist you in identifying sites that you can apply to and also give you the necessary paperwork, etc. Once you leave for the semester, most students can still communicate with the office staff through e-mail and fax.