Internships
What is an internship?
An established internship opportunity or customized internship created by you that fits your specific needs or interests.
A short-term work opportunity in a professional setting (usually 4-12 weeks).
An experience that provides you with a combination of training, supervision, and evaluation.
A commitment for summer or during the semester, paid
or unpaid.
Watch brief videos about specific student internships
Read stories about Lafayette internship experiences
What do I gain by doing an internship?
An awareness of an industry or field in which you may eventually want to work
The opportunity to acquire new skills and discover new interests.
A great resume building experience.
A “foot in the door” with employers who look to their internship pool for full time hires.
The ability to compete with other college graduates who have internship experience.
A network of professionals, and perhaps a mentor, who can assist you with your career management.
Resources for Finding Internships
There are many ways in which to search for internships. Start by meeting with your Gateway Counselor to discuss what kind of internships interest you.
- Click here for suggestions on resources and the tools necessary for an effective search.
- Visit our extensive list of internship search links here.
Internship Housing
It is important to consider internships in varied locations since the options in your preferred industry may be limited close to home. Interning in another part of the country (or the world) also allows you to expand your comfort zone and encounter new perspectives. View a suggested list of summer housing resources here.
If you’re interning in the Lehigh Valley area during the summer, apply for on-campus housing available at no cost to students. A limited number of spots are available through Career Services. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. You must also apply for housing through Residence Life. We cannot guarantee a housing spot so you must apply early.
Internship Stipends
Through the generosity of Lafayette alumni, parents, and the Senior Class, Career Services has a number of internship stipends available to support students doing unpaid or high cost summer internships. These vary in monetary amount and some have restrictions on career focus and geographical location. An internship does not need to be secured at the time of application. The Bob Beane ’58 Intern Scholar Program is an outstanding opportunity to receive an internship stipend and be paired with an alumnus mentor. Review the following for specifics:
Learn more about summer internship stipends and apply
Learn more about the Bob Beane ’58 Intern Scholar Program and apply
Internships for Academic Credit
Summer internships are available through selected academic departments or the College-wide internship program (INT 200). All students are eligible for one internship course. Students earning a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or above may petition to take a second internship for credit. Normally, first-year students and sophomores are not eligible for participation in an internship for academic credit unless approved by the Academic Progress Committee.
Internships are offered by several academic departments and will be graded on a credit/no credit basis. The student’s coursework must be approved in advance. For further information, read our “Lafayette Internship Policies Demystified” or contact Erin Jennings in Career Services at jenninge@lafayette.edu.