FAQs

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Frequently Asked Questions About Internships

Q: How do I find out about internships?

A: Check the Geography office, 107 Condon Hall, or our website at Department of Geography Internships a week prior to registration, at the latest. Most internships are arranged weeks or even months before term registration. Students need to contact faculty advisors and potential on-site work supervisors early to initiate an internship.

Q: How do I initiate an internship--just what do I do?

A: Students should prepare a one-page résumé of basic facts--name, address, phone--followed by dates of availability. Also needed is information about the type of internship desired--cartography, GIS, planning, hydrology--and information about classes or experiences that qualify the student for the desired internship. Students should take their résumé to a potential faculty advisor as early as possible—three or four months before the start of the internship is not too early!

Q: Where can internships be arranged?

A: Most Geography internships are in Eugene or Springfield, but students have initiated internships in Salem, Portland, and occasionally elsewhere. To arrange an internship, the student proposes an arrangement between a Geography faculty advisor and an on-site work supervisor.

Q: I got a good job last summer. Can I get internship credit for it?

A: No. Internships need to be pre-arranged with clearly planned geographic content and regular communication between the student and the faculty advisor during the course of the internship.

Q: What about "paid internships?"

A: Geography internships are unpaid educational experiences; however, faculty advisors are willing to discuss the educational content of some part-time jobs. For example, summer Forest Rangers have sometimes done projects beyond the scope of their jobs to receive internship credit, e.g. producing a nature trail brochure "after hours" based on pre-arrangement for the extra project. Interns may also be reimbursed for some expenses, such as mileage.

Q: How long are internships?

A: The University operates on the academic calendar. Internships run for one academic term, but they may be renewed for a second term if everyone is willing. A letter from the on-site work supervisor must be submitted to the faculty advisor at the end of each term before credit is awarded. No more than 8 credits can be earned for an internship with any one agency, and no more than 12 total credits may be earned through internships.

Q: How are credits arranged?

A: After the internship is arranged, the student intern registers with the faculty advisor for Geography 406—Field Studies credits, P/N basis. Total effort during a term is 100 hours for four credits--about 90 hours of effort "on the job" and about 10 hours to keep the internship work log and prepare end-of-term report. Most interns work two half-days per week.

Q: Initiating an internship seems like a lot of effort. Why should I bother?

A: Employers look for people with initiative and practical experience. An internship is a way to demonstrate initiative, gain valuable experience, and continue to learn by applying your "book knowledge" in a problem-solving work environment. It is also a way to earn a good letter of reference, and internships can occasionally turn into longer term positions.

Q: What other internship opportunities exist?

A: Other departments have internship programs, probably similar to the Geography program. If you are majoring or minoring in another department, ask your advisor or the department's administrative assistant if internship opportunities exist through that department. There are also reputable nation-wide organizations that advertise internship opportunities.

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