Internships

Having an internship is not required for graduation except for prospective teachers.  However, it is a good idea to have one, as preparation for your career.  Several recent graduates have gotten their careers started by having an internship experience.  Here are some suggestions about internships, as well as some resources about career planning.

·        Student teaching is an internship, so if you are a prospective teacher, the program has a built-in internship set up for you.  (You can still make use of the suggestions below!)

·        Internships may take many forms. 

o       You might find a summer job in a math-related area.  In this case, you probably won’t be getting academic credit for it.  (If you want credit, please discuss this with your advisor.)

o       You might do an internship during a January term.  In this case, you probably would get credit for it, but probably no salary.

o       You might do an internship during a regular semester. In this case, you probably would get credit for it, but probably no salary.

o       You might enroll in a summer research program. Yes, you will get paid for doing this!  (More on this below.)

·        You should consult with your advisor and other departmental faculty about your desired internship.  The Enterprise Resource Center will assist you in setting up your internship.  You should make arrangements with them well in advance of the projected start of the internship.  Typically, summer programs have application deadlines of February or March.

·        Summer research programs come from a variety of sources.

o       Summer REUs (Research Experience for Undergraduates) are 8 – 12 week programs sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America.  They are hosted by about 30 colleges and universities around the nation.  You get paid to attend!

o       See the web site for the MAA (www.maa.org) and follow the link from "Students" \ "Undergraduate ” to find an extensive list of summer research programs.

·        Some insurance companies have summer internships available for students interested in actuarial science.  These are paid positions, but they typically expect you to have taken at least the first actuarial exam.  Here are a couple of leads.

o       Lincoln Life in Fort Wayne has a few opportunities, with more at its operations in the Eastern part of the nation.

o       American Specialty in Roanoke sometimes has some available.

o       AUL in Indianapolis typically has a few.