Internship / Co-op Questions
1. What is the difference between an internship and a co-op?
2. Which experience is more beneficial?
3. How can I find an internship or co-op?
4. What is Nittany Lion Careers?
5. Are internships required by Smeal?
6. Do I have to report my internship?
7. Can I receive credit for an internship?
8. What are the chances of procuring an internship?
9. What percentage of students on internships receive full time offers?
10. Where can I find full time job opportunities?
11. Can I reserve a private room for an interview?
Career Coaching Appointment Questions
1. How do I schedule an appointment to have my resume reviewed?
2. Can I practice my interviewing skills?
3. Do you have drop-in hours available or do I have to make an appointment?
Internship / Co-op Answers:
1. What is the difference between an internship and a co-op?
An internship is a one semester experience. A co-op is a two semester experience, usually Spring/Summer or Summer/Fall.
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2. Which experience is more beneficial?
Either experience is great for the student. However, depending on the industry, a student may be more marketable completing a co-op experience. Students should begin right away discussing their interests with their career counselor and their academic advisor to plan to fit a co-op or an internship experience into their education.
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3. How can I find an internship or co-op?
Smeal utilizes an online recruiting system called Nittany Lion Careers (see question 4 for more information). Along with Nittany Lion Careers, students can attend career fairs, apply through company websites, and visit our Other Internships/Co-Op Opportunities page.
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4. What is Nittany Lion Careers?
Nittany Lion Careers is the online recruiting system maintained by Penn State Career Services. This system houses all of our internship/co-op postings, upcoming information sessions, professional development workshops, and much more.
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5. Are internships required by Smeal?
No, Smeal does not require that students have an internship to graduate. However, we strongly recommend that you have at least one internship or co-op during your college career. Companies consistently report that internships and co-ops are their best source of new full-time employees.
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6. Do I have to report my internship?
Yes, please report any internship or co-op you accept regardless of how you obtained it. This data is used to show the progress of the internship program as well as for national ranking statistics.
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7. Can I receive credit for an internship?
Yes, you can receive 1.0 credit by enrolling in the BA395A class.
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8. What are the chances of procuring an internship?
86% of the Smeal Class of 2018 had at least one internship. Students who are preselected for interviews and offered positions are the best-qualified candidates and typically have one or more of the following:
- involvement in leadership activities through clubs, organizations, or sports
- are well prepared for the interview in terms of both skills and company knowledge
- previous work experience, preferably related to the major
- history of strong academic performance
9. What percentage of students on internships receive full time offers?
Check out Smeal’s hiring statistics to see where students are going for both internships and jobs.
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10. Where can I find full time job opportunities?
Full time opportunities can also be found in Nittany Lion Careers. If you have questions about using/accessing this system, please contact Krista White.
11. Can I reserve a private room for an interview?
Yes, there are several options for reserving rooms.
The Business Career Center has several rooms equipped with webcams and the proper technology necessary for a video interview. These rooms can be reserved by scheduling online on Nittany Lion Careers or emailing smealcareers@smeal.psu.edu.
The Bank of America Career Services building also has rooms available for interviews. To reserve a room there, email interviewing@psu.edu.
Students are also able to reserve spaces in the library to use for an interview. Students can reserve spaces up to three hours a day through the LibCal system.
Career Coaching Appointment Answers:
1. How do I schedule an appointment to have my resume reviewed?
To schedule a career coaching appointment or a resume review, log onto Nittany Lion Careers.
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2. Can I practice my interviewing skills?
Yes, the Business Career Center offers mock interviews. Schedule an appointment with one of our career coaches to receive feedback on your interviewing skills.
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3. Do you have drop-in hours available or do I have to make an appointment?
Drop-in hours are available with one of our career services interns during the fall and spring semesters. See the bottom of this page for the hours students can drop in.
