Internships 101

Internship Basics
 

What is an internship?
Internships are career-related professional opportunities in which a student works in an organization in order to gain work experience under the guidance and supervision of a knowledgeable, assigned employee. The experience gained is typically measured by objectives or learning units discussed upon accepting the internship. 

How long do internships last?
The length of internships can vary depending on the type of internship program and the needs of the organization. Typically within a semester, an internship will last anywhere between 8-12 weeks and can run during the fall, spring, and/or summer.

Paid vs. Unpaid
Internships come in many forms: some are paid while others, especially prevalent in the entertainment industry and non-profit sectors, are unpaid. Some may only accept students who are receiving academic credit. If you happen to land an unpaid internship, there are resources within the university to help offset the cost of interning: 

• Ulrich-Stewart Family Funded Internship - Subsidies ranging from $2,250 to $5,250 offered to up to 8 students applying to unpaid internships to assist them in gaining valuable experiential learning and professional development. The awardees also receive internship application coaching from the TOCD staff, including cover letter/resume writing feedback and interview practice, so that they gain valuable career skills. (Application period January – early February. For more info, please see http://bit.ly/1SC8jLg)
• Wasserman Center Internship Grant – $1,000 offered to students pursuing non-paying internships for the summer, spring and fall. (For more info, please see https://bit.ly/2IcAyXF.)
• Sustainability Internship Grant - $3,000 offered to students pursuing unpaid/low-paid summer internships in qualifying industries in the sustainability field. (For more info, please see https://bit.ly/3tL34UC.)

Academic Credit
Internships for academic credit are through your department are have to be registered for like a class. Please consult your academic advisor/ Internship coordinator for credit hour restrictions and tuition costs associated.

International students are strongly advised to intern for academic credit even if the internship doesn’t require credit because it reinforces the fact that the internship is an educational experience and not a job, per your F-1 Visa. This will also require using CPT or OPT. Please consult with NYU OGS for specific questions regarding internships, CPT/OPT, and visa status. For more info, visit nyu.edu/ogs.

Where to look?
A great place to start your internship search is the internet. Using Google to research companies and internships of interest allow you to get an idea of what’s out there. Chatting with your friends and classmates about internships that they have done previously is also a great way to find out companies that may be looking for interns and garner contacts to reach out to. And don’t forget about your professors! As working industry members, they’ll have suggestions as well!

Finally, NYU has a few outlets to assist your search:
• Tisch College Central – www.collegecentral.com/tisch (Tisch-specific listings are in the "Search My School's Jobs" section)
• Wasserman Center NYU Handshake – www.nyu.edu/careerdevelopment
• Departmental email blasts (typically sent by your internship coordinator or department administrator)

You should also use industry-specific sites! These have more internship listings than general job sites like LinkedIn or Indeed. For a list, check out the Tisch Spotlight Guides in the Arts & Creative Industries section of the Tisch Career Document Library.

Internship Recruitment Timelines – When should you apply?
• Fall internships: Early August – Mid-September
• Spring internships: Late October – Mid-December
• Summer internships: Mid-January – late March (NOTE: Some AAA game studios, well-known film studios, and major tv/digital networks recruit their summer interns in late fall/early winter.)

*These are general timelines - some employers look earlier or later depending on the competitive nature of the opportunity and their organizational needs.