The purpose of this page is to offer information regarding the Internship Program. If you are ready to begin your internship. Go to STEPS TO TAKE.

What is an internship?
What are the academic requirements?
Are internships paid or unpaid?
Does Penn State find me interns or internships?
What is a mentor?
When is the right time to do an internship?
What is a good internship for me?
What if I sign up for an internship and do not complete it during the semester in which I enrolled?



What is an IST Internship?
The internship is a mentored position created within a company or ogranization that allows a Penn State IST student to learn about how technology is applied to that company or oganization. It is a mandatory acedemic program whereby students may gain up to three semesters' worth of career related experience.

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What are the academic requirements?
2 Year IST Assoc. Degree

Students must complete one of the following.

• IST 295A (special project)
  This is a special projects topic course that is offered to students who qualify. Qualifications are based upon special circumstances that may preclude you from completing work at a company location due to family issues or current employer issues. PLEASE SEE THE INTERNSHIP COORDINATOR if you think you qualify.
• IST 295B (internship)
  This 1 (variable up to 3)Credit, 150(per credit)hour requirement can be completed at any time in order to meet degree requirements for graduation.
• Credit By Portfolio
  This is another special topic that is offered ONLY to students who are working currently as IT professionals or in an IT capacity. PLEASE SEE THE INTERNSHIP COORDINATOR if you think you qualify

4 Year IST Bacc. Degree

Students must complete one of the following:

• IST 495
  This is a 1 Credit, 300 hour requirement that can be completed at any time in order to meet degree requirements for graduation. Note, you can take up to 3, 1 Credit internships if you so choose.
• Credit By Portfolio
  This is another special topic that is offered ONLY to students who are working currently as IT professionals or in an IT capacity. PLEASE SEE THE INTERNSHIP COORDINATOR if you think you qualify.

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Is an internship paid or unpaid?
That is a decision to be agreed upon by the company or oganization offering the internship position.

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Does Penn State find me interns or internships?
No. However, from time to time the IST Internship Coordinator learns of opportunities in the region and makes this public for all internship candidates. The IST Internship Coordinator also is not responsible for supplying hand picked interns to an organization.

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What is a mentor?
Ideally, we want to place an intern within a company and report to an individual or group that will guide them and also be able to teach them an aspect of the technology they may be required to work with. We do not approve internships where students are brought aboard to be the sole "technology" worker.

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When is the right time to do an internship?
Once you begin your IST courses, you are eligible to begin an internship.

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What is a good internship for me?
This all depends on which degree option you are selecting. If you are in a software development track, then you should focus on finding an internship that will expose you to the aspects of software development.

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What if I sign up for an internship and do not complete it during the semester in which I enrolled?
That's ok. Most internships are not completed during the same semester they are enrolled. We then give you a deferred grade.

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