English Internship Info
BA student Hannah Vanvlack who interned at the Asheville Laurel
Why seek out an internship?
According to the 2024 Job Outlook Report by the National Association of College and Employers (NACE), “When employers are deciding between candidates who are otherwise equally qualified for the same position, having an internship is the top deciding factor. Regardless of whether the candidate has interned with the hiring organization (4.4 out of 5 average influence rating) or within the industry (4.3 out of 5 average influence rating), this factor makes or breaks the hiring choice.”
Simply put, internships complement the skills you're learning in the classroom and offer you a significant advantage over other recent graduates who lack professional experience.
Please note that an internship (ENGL 483) counts as 3 hours of course credit towards your degree and gives you the opportunity to explore a profession or field before graduation.
Table 1: Internship Courses
| English 483: Internship | English 589: Graduate Internship |
| Paid or Unpaid | Pair or Unpaid |
| 150-200 hours | 150-200 hours |
| Final Portfolio Contents and Deadlines | Final Portfolio Contents and Deadlines |
Preparing for an Internship
The internship is the culmination of your course work. You must have sufficient instruction before you can do an internship. In most cases, this means you cannot do the internship until you near the end of your coursework. You also must have permission from the Intership Coordinator before you start looking for and scheduling your internship. This guidance is to ensure that you have sufficient coursework to support the work you will be doing during your internship.
Students may complete internships during the fall, spring, or summer semesters. However, students should plan their course load accordingly during the fall or spring semesters due to the number of hours required for an internship.
Students search for and obtain their own internships; however, you do receive guidance from the Internship Coordinator and from the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD). We also have a list of internships that former students have completed, which can help give a sense of the opportunities available to you. You should begin looking for an internship six months to one year in advance.
Process and Timeline
Make an appointment to speak with the Internship Coordinator to discuss your internship. Bring a current resume.
The Internship Coordinator has leads on internships and can provide you with contact information for potential internship employers. The CCPD has information about internships and students can use JobCat (jobcat.wcu.edu) to search for internship opportunities. You may also view the list of internships that students have completed in the past.
Revise your application materials based on feedback from the Internship Coordinator. Be sure to fulfill and submit all application requirements per the employer.
Students use JobCat to track their internship, and you must attend an orientation to learn how to use this system. Students can RSVP for sessions through JobCat by clicking on Events, then on Workshops, and selecting a date/time that works.
When you have secured an internship with an employer, ask the employer for a written job description, which you will upload in JobCat. After you have attended the JobCat orientation, completed the internship application, and uploaded your job description, you will receive an email from the Internship Coordinator that you may now register for the appropriate internship class. You will need your alt pin from your advisor to register for this class. Late registration results in late fees, so it is advantageous to ensure all of your paperwork is submitted on time.
You and your employer negotiate your start date. Keep in mind that you have one semester to complete the necessary internship hours, so plan the number of hours you will complete each week and stay on schedule. Keep track of your hours and save the work you complete on the job. You will use your work examples for the electronic portfolio due at the end of your internship.
During the middle of the semester or summer session, you and your employer will be contacted for a mid-term evaluation. You should meet with your employer during this time to discuss your progress and goals for the rest of the internship.
The electronic portfolio is submitted through JobCat and Canvas one week before semester classes end (see due dates on Canvas).
Near the end of your internship, your employer will complete a final evaluation with the CCPD. You should meet with the employer for an exit interview and discuss your overall evaluation.
Complete a Program Evaluation and Self Evaluation through JobCat at the end of the semester or summer session. You will evaluate your experience on your internship.