Internship FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Internships at NCC

Internships are an important part of the college experience, and it’s natural to have questions about how the process works. From where to begin to what to expect, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions to help provide clarity. If your student would like additional support, they are encouraged to connect with the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) at career@noctrl.edu.

How does the internship process work?

All students will complete four (4) credit hours of career readiness curriculum to complete North Central College’s Career Readiness Requirement: two (2) credit hours of Career Readiness - Career Preparation coursework and two (2) credit hours of Career Readiness - Career Experiential coursework + a career-related experience.

All students who complete an internship in the fall or spring semester take CARD 300 (2 credits) and CARD 300 L (0 credits) in the same semester. The CARD 300 L component denotes the experience on the student’s transcript. If your student intends to complete an internship during the summer, they will register for CARD 300 L during the summer they are completing their internship and then will register for the CARD 300 course during the fall semester immediately following their internship experience. 

What qualifies as an internship?

North Central College follows the NACE (National Association of Colleges & Employers) definition of an internship. To qualify as an internship the following criteria need to be met:

1. Educational Focus: The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simple to advance the operations of the employer or be work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
2. Skill Transferability: The skills or knowledge gained should apply to other employment settings.
3. Defined Scope: The internship must have a defined start and end date, along with a detailed job description outlining the required qualifications.
4. Learning Objectives: There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic work.
5. Qualified Supervision: A professional with relevant expertise and educational or professional background must supervise the experience.
6. Constructive Feedback: The student should receive routine guidance and feedback.
7. Supportive Resources: The host employer should provide resources, equipment, and facilities that support the learning objectives.

Positions that do not qualify as internships/field experiences include those that: 

• Are supervised by a peer, family friend, parent, or other relatives of the student’s family.
• Predominantly or entirely consist of administrative or clerical work.
• Are 100% commission based.
• Predominantly consist of sales and/or lead generation (cold-calling, client prospecting, door-to-door canvassing, or petition gathering).
• Require students to pay the employer for any part of the experience (e.g., fees for training, supplies, sales kits, etc.).
• Require students to act as “independent contractors” to set up his/her own business for the purpose of selling products and services, or recruiting other individuals to set up a business.
• Are located in home-based businesses.
• Are offered remotely or virtually without supervision or consistent interaction with a professional.

If your student is unsure if a position qualifies, please direct them to the Center for Career and Professional Development (career@noctrl.edu) for further guidance and review. 

Does NCC place students or do they need to hunt for one on their own?

The Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) and North Central College does not place students directly into internships. Instead, the team supports your student in exploring options, preparing application materials, and developing a strategy for their search. Ultimately, students are responsible for securing their own internship, just as they will be when searching for a job after graduation.

The CCPD provides access to many resources to support students in the internship search process. Further, students are introduced to career preparation in their second year through faculty-led courses, where they learn how to conduct an internship search. Course topics include creating a resume and a cover letter, developing LinkedIn and Handshake profiles, and networking strategies. Additional resources include:

• Career fairs and events hosted by CCPD,
• Networking with professors, friends, family, and advisors,
• Platforms like Handshake and LinkedIn,
• Meetings with CCPD career coaches for personalized search strategies.

The Center for Career and Professional Development also offers regular Career Planning Hours for current North Central students on Wednesdays from 9am-12pm in Oesterle Library room #102 for students to attend. During these drop-in hours, the CCPD team can help with:

• Internship and job searching
• Graduate and professional school planning
• CARD 300 requirements
• Questions about the Career Readiness Requirement

Are internships paid?

Some internships are paid, and some aren’t. It often depends on the field and company. North Central College encourages all employers to pay interns. Students can receive academic credit AND be paid for their internship experiences. That said, currently, unpaid internships are legal in certain situations.