Although not required for animal science majors, internships are required for the equine studies and meat science minors. Many students complete summer learning and work experiences in industry that are not for university credit. Students that complete internships for credit participate in an annual poster event where they share their experiences.
What is an internship?
An internship is a mutually beneficial, academic, on-the-job experience for a student and an employer. An internship is mutually beneficial because the student gains real world practical knowledge to supplement his/her education, while the employer gains a motivated worker who is able to apply the theories, practices and strategies acquired from previous course work. Benefits to an employer include an increase in additional human resources for peak times and vacations, an opportunity to evaluate potential future employees on the job and an increased exposure to potential employees through word-of-mouth advertising and a visible presence on campus. An internship is an academic experience because of the intellectual activities associated with the internship. These activities include, but are not limited to, exposing the Intern to the on-the-job decision-making process, having the Intern perform research to enhance decision-making, training the to become part of the decision-making process or some combination thereof. Ideally, the employer and the intern will custom design the intellectual activity to maximize the mutual benefit.
Internship Credit
Internships can be taken for one to four credits through the Department of Animal Science. Internship credits will meet the Experiential Learning Requirement for undergraduate degrees in animal science, regardless of specialization. However, credit will not be available retroactively.
Resources
- Animal Science Internship coordinators
- Carmen Paulson - Equine related internships
- Cody Wright, Ph.D. – All other animal science internships.
- Office of Career Development