UMC Ag & Natural Resources Internships

Internship Forms & Registration

Purpose of Internships in Academic Programs

The internship program helps students obtain practical experience in their field of study. It provides an opportunity to establish contacts with employers for possible job interviews following graduation. Many employers are now looking for college graduates who have completed an internship.

Internship Timing

It is recommended that baccalaureate degree students complete their internship during the summer after their sophomore year.

Length of Internships

The internship should be at least 10 weeks in length if the student is registered for 3 credits of GnAg 3900. One credit should be at least three weeks of work. It is also understood that students will be working at least a 40 hour week or a total of 400 hours for 3 credits.

First Step to Acquiring an Internship

Visit with the academic advisor to discuss career goals. The internship experience should be planned together with the advisor to determine what kinds of experiences the student should acquire. They should prepare a list or desired training plan. The academic advisor can be very helpful in giving students leads to employers who are looking for interns.

Contacting Prospective Employers

Students should prepare a resume and then write a letter of application. Stop at the Career Center to obtain help with resumes and letters.

Get Credit for Internships

If the internship is to be done during the summer, students should have registered for GNAG 3899 for the previous fall, and  GNAG 3900 in the spring when they are registering for their fall term classes. They should also register for  GNAG 3901 for the fall after their internship.  They will register for either Summer Term I or Summer Term II. If students plan to be on internship during a term other than summer, they should register for internship during the quarter they are actually on the job. (fall or spring)

Internship Reports - Students

Students must complete two reports. The first report is due during the 5th week of the internship. The last report is due at end of the internship. Students usually deliver the last report at the beginning of the next term. (Fall for summer interns.) Students are also asked to evaluate the internship experience by completing a one page self- evaluation which is attached to the final written report.

Internship Reports - Employers

Employers are asked to evaluate the students' performance during the internship period and return the completed forms to the internship coordinator immediately following the completion of the internship.

Employer Responsibilities

The goal is to have the student learn as much about the business as possible. Therefore the employer should take some time to visit with the student on a weekly basis explaining how the business functions and why decisions are made as they are. The employer should move the student around as much as possible within the business to give the student as many experiences as is possible. The employer should observe the student's performance and note any areas where improvement is needed. In the event the student is not responding to direction, the employer should contact the internship coordinator to discuss what action should be taken.

Internship Compensation

Compensation will vary with the job. Wages and benefits should be discussed with the employer prior to beginning the internship. Students will receive an internship agreement form which must be completed by the student and the employer prior to beginning employment. The agreement form contains a section on wages and benefits.

UMC Supervision

UMC employs faculty supervisors and coordinators. They will attempt to visit the student and the employer at least once during the internship. Where distance makes it difficult to accomplish, the coordinator or other faculty will use internet and/or telephone communication to visit the student and the employer.