Internship Process

There are a few key steps that go into the internship process:

  1. Find an internship related to your degree field. 
  2. Fill out the IMS Form and submit it to the PSM coordinator.
  3. Request an override from the PSM coordinator to register for PSM 691.
  4. Apply for CPT (if international)
  5. Complete the Internship Presentation Signup Sheet. Complete your internship report; submit this to the PSM coordinator and your program director. Give an oral/poster presentation about the knowledge you gained in your internship.

PSM Networking Events Calendar

Event

Semester

Tentative Date

Mock Interviews

Winter 2024

22 March 2024

Panel Discussions

Winter 2024

12 April 2024

Internship Workshop

Fall 2024

27 September 2024

PSM Showcase

Fall 2024

22 November 2024

Click the steps below to learn more about the internship process

Find an Internship

Second-year students are a great resource for possible internship sites, as are your program director and the PSM program coordinator.  We also hold a workshop in the fall on how to approach the initial stages of searching for an internship. Attend networking events in and around the campus.

Choose a mentor for your internship

When contacting possible internship mentors, always be respectful and professional. Many of them will be familiar with our programs, but some will not. If there is an employer you would like to contact but don't know where to start, ask the PSM coordinator for assistance.

Internship database

We will do our best to help you find internship opportunities, but it is ultimately your responsibility to secure one. Visit our database to view some current opportunities.

What else can help me find an internship?

Visit the Career Center for resume/cover letter reviews, mock Interviews, and more resources, and attend the GVSU Career Fairs held in Fall & Winter semesters.

Secured an Internship

Once you have found an internship, please talk with your supervisor about expectations and requirements for the experience. Some places have had many interns through the years, and they have well-structured requirements and expectations to help prepare you for the internship experience. However, other internship locations won't really know what to do, so that's where you'll have to be more involved.

What are the internship requirements?

1. Spend ~440 hours on their internship: More than the required hours are acceptable. You can complete more than one internship if the total hours required cannot be completed in one internship.
2. Gain practical experience: This means you should perform meaningful work within your discipline and have an opportunity to develop your technical skills, preferably under the mentorship of someone at the internship site. 
3.Show us the IMPACT: We expect students to be exposed to the business and professional side of the workplace. This means  that you should have an opportunity to develop your professional skills - teamwork, communication, leadership, ethics, etc. -  under the mentorship of someone at the internship site.

All international students need to complete CPT Request form, rename the file (Firstname_Lastname_CPT Advisor Form) and send it to PSM coordinator Anirudh Chowdhary at [email protected]

How to register for PSM 691

Fill out the PSM Internship Management System Form. The form will be used in the program evaluation and assessment. Once completed, it should be sent to your program coordinator and site supervisor for final approval. Click for the IMS Form.

You will be permitted to register for PSM 691 once you have turned in your internship request/agreement form. It is the PSM coordinator's responsibility to register students for PSM 691, so communicate directly with the PSM coordinator if you have any questions. It is also required that you complete a minimum of 4 credits of PSM 691 to complete your degree. The course can be taken for 1, 2, 3, 4, or up to 9 credit(s) at a time. This flexibility allows you to select an appropriate number of PSM course credits in a semester to maintain full-time status or to limit the impact on your bank account. If more than 4 credits are requested for PSM 691 (in conditions where students may need a certain number of credits for their GAs), only the required 4 credits will count toward your degree.

All semesters of PSM 691 are graded as incomplete until the oral presentation and written reports have been completed. Only at this point the grade will be changed to CR.

You will be required to complete the Internship Presentation Signup Sheet at the end of your program. The sheet will require your name, employer name, supervisor name, internship start semester, and end semester. 

Make the Most of the Experience

Ask to learn new technical skills that will be useful to you later. Give talks whenever possible. Attend as many meetings as you can. Meet and network with as many people as you can. Take on leadership positions when possible. Be ambitious and interested. Use this time to learn as much about your discipline as possible.

When your internship is nearing its end, you will need to prepare for the final requirements.

1. Submit a written report: This report should be reviewed and approved by your internship supervisor before sending it to your graduate program director and the PSM coordinator via email. The Internship report must be submitted for Fall Semester by December 1st, for Winter Semester by April 1st, and for Spring/Summer Semester by July 1st. You can find the academic calendar and report guidelines for more details.

2. Give an oral presentation on your internship: The contents of this presentation should be approved by your internship supervisor. Complete the Internship Presentation Signup Sheet by the above dates. Contact Anirudh Chowdhary at [email protected] if you have specific questions. 

3. Be evaluated by your internship supervisor: Once your internship is completed, the PSM coordinator will send a request to your advisor asking them to fill out a short evaluation. This evaluation will not impact final grades for PSM 691 since it is an evaluation of the program, not the student. Once you submit the report and give the presentation, grades will be changed towards the end of the semester. 



Page last modified March 18, 2024