Information Systems Internships

What is an Internship?

An internship in Information Systems in The College of Business at The University of Nevada, Reno is designed to further the education of qualified students by providing an opportunity to integrate formal classroom education with on-the-job experience in a professional environment.
The majority of students who participate in the internship program do so to gain practical experience that becomes an integral part of their training in business and information systems. Others are curious about career opportunities and want to see the actual activities of an information systems professional in the workplace, and still others are trying to obtain an advantage in obtaining permanent employment. Please review the student section for more information.
Organizations participate in the internship program for a variety of reasons. Some organizations view the internship program as a substitute for a formal, in-house training program. Others are simply anxious to get a 'preview' of our better students. Still others may find the program provides a good source of talent that can be used in filling temporary slots caused by vacations and/or sick leaves. Please review the employer section for more information.

Student Section

Questions about the internship

  1. Do I have to have a job before I can register for an internship?  Yes.
  2. Does the internship coordinator have to approve my job before I can register for an internship?  Yes.
  3. Does an internship meet in a classroom?  No, an internship does not have any formal class sessions.
  4. What are the prerequisites for registering for an internship?  A student must have junior standing, a GPA of at least 3.0, and have successfully completed at least three upper-division IS courses.  Students must have completed IS201, IS301, IS 350, and IS 365 earning a "B-" or better grade in each class.    
  5. I have more questions - who should I ask?  First, read the internship overview.  Second, contact the internship coordinator, Dana Edberg ( dte@unr.edu)

What is the process for using my current job as an internship for IS elective credit?

  1. Read the internship overview to become familiar with the types of jobs that will work for internship credit.
  2. If you don't know whether your job will work for internship credit, meet with the internship coordinator.
  3. Create a job description that details what you intend to accomplish on the job during the internship period. Send a draft of the job description via email to the internship coordinator for approval/suggestions. After the internship coordinator agrees to the job description, you will have a final copy ready for signature.
  4. Your supervisor must (a) agree that your job is suitable for an internship; (b) agree to evaluate you at the end of the internship period; and (c) sign the job description.
  5. Submit the job description via fax or mail to the internship coordinator for final signature and filing.
  6. Get permission to register for IS480 from the internship coordinator.
  7. Register for the course.
  8. Complete the progress reports and final report by the required due dates.
  9. Ensure that your supervisor completes the employer evaluation form, signs it and submits it via fax or mail to the internship coordinator prior to the end of the semester for which you are enrolled in the internship.

What is the process for getting a new job and using it as an internship for IS elective credit?

  1. Sign up for the ISIntern listserv to be notified about any jobs that the internship coordinator has identified as possibilities for internships. See the internship overview for instructions.
  2. Submit a resume to the internship coordinator.
  3. Read the  internship overview to become familiar with the types of jobs that will work for internship credit.
  4. Contact potential employers, send resumes, and be interviewed. It is not the responsibility of the internship coordinator to get you a job. It is your responsibility to search for and find a job that is suitable to be used for internship credit.
  5. Get a part-time, paying job that is suitable for internship credit.
  6. Create a job description that details what you intend to accomplish on the job during the internship period. Send a draft of the job description via email to the internship coordinator for approval/suggestions. After the internship coordinator agrees to the job description, you will have a final copy ready for signature.
  7. Your supervisor must (a) agree that your job is suitable for an internship; (b) agree to evaluate you at the end of the internship period; and (c) sign the job description.
  8. Submit the job description via fax or mail to the internship coordinator for final signature and filing.
  9. Get permission to register for IS480 from the internship coordinator.
  10. Register for the course.
  11. Complete the progress reports final report by the required due dates.
  12. Ensure that your supervisor completes the employer evaluation form, signs it and submits it via fax or mail to the internship coordinator prior to the end of the semester for which you are enrolled in the internship.

Employer Section

How do I find an appropriate intern?

  1. Read the internship overview to become familiar with the internship program.
  2. Meet/talk with the internship coordinator about the opportunity you want to make available to students.
  3. Create a job description that details your requirements for the job, pay range and the job responsibilities.
  4. Email the job description to the internship coordinator.
  5. Review resumes forwarded by the internship coordinator and/or directly from students (your choice).
  6. Interview qualified student(s).
  7. Hire a student.