I want to do an internship, but I don't even know where to start. How can I found
about internship opportunities?
Students interested in enrolling in the PLSC department's internship program should
talk with Dr. John Holder as soon as possible. In addition, links to various internships with elected officials
and government agencies are available on the internship website page.
Do I have to find my own internship?
The Department of Political Science will assist students seeking academic internships,
but does not guarantee that we will find placements. The Department gives first priority
to students enrolled in the Concentration in Public Policy and Public Administration.
Other students will be accommodated on a first-come, first served basis. The Center for Center for Career Development and Internships can help arrange co-operative opportunities and give advice on job-seeking, interviewing
and resume writing. The Department of Political Science has standing internship arrangements
with the City of Rock Hill, the Town of Chester, and York County government.
How do I register for PLSC 471, 472, or 473?
Dr. Holder is responsible for the administration of academic internships. Students
who wish to enroll in PLSC 471, 472, or 473 must meet with Dr. Holder to discuss their
internship assignments and receive enrollment approval. For the vast majority of internships,
Dr. Holder will design the assignments and assign the students' grades. In some cases,
when students arrange internships outside of Dr. Holder's areas of expertise, students
will be directed to another member of the faculty who will design reading lists and
assign grades as appropriate.
What is the difference between a Co-Op and an internship?
A co-op is arranged and managed by the Office of Career Development. The contact
person for College of Arts and Science students is Haley Weil. She can help you find a job in a related field as well as provide help with resume
writing and interview techniques. While the Department of Political Science does not
have a designator for co- op credit, it may be possible to apply it to another subject,
depending on the type of job. An internship is handled through the individual departments.
It has its own course number and each department has adopted unique policies on the
expectations of the students enrolled.
How far in advance should I start preparing for my internship?
You should start thinking about doing an internship for PLSC credit as early as the
start of your sophomore year. It can take up to six months to decide on the area in
which you want to pursue a specific job, meet with the internship coordinator, decide
when to register for the course and finalize the details with your new employer. The
earlier the better! Anyone interested in International internship possibilities or
jobs with the CIA, FBI, State Department of the United Nations needs to start applying
at least a year in advance. All of the government agencies require background checks
and must issue credentials before employment can begin.
Can I work a summer job/internship but apply for the credit in the Fall?
Due to liability concerns, this is no longer possible.
Can I get credit for an internship with a law firm?
Some students MAY receive credit, depending upon their internship responsibilities.
We will not award internship credit for placements in law firms where the students'
responsibilities are strictly administrative or real estate title searching. Students
must have assignments related to the firm's law practice and must be approved by Dr.
Holder.
What if I don't want to do an internship in Rock Hill?
We encourage students to complete internship anywhere!! While the department has
standing agreements with some local agencies, students may complete internships in
the district offices of members of the South Carolina congressional delegation; with
state agencies in Columbia or with local governments anywhere. In addition, students
may look to internships in Washington, DC. For several possibilities, look on the
internship website page.
I have been accepted into the Washington Semester Honors Program through the University
of South Carolina, Columbia. Who do I talk to about credit?
Since this program involves transferring credit hours from USC, please see the department
chair, Dr. Jennifer Disney.
Can I do more than one internship?
We encourage students to complete as many internships as they desire. However, students may receive Political Science academic credit only once. This means that you cannot receive credit for 473 twice. It also means that you
cannot receive credit for both 471 and 473, for example. It may be possible to receive
academic credit for additional internships through the Honors College or another department,
depending upon the placement. We stress, however, that internships are valuable for
a variety of reasons, even if one does not receive academic credit.
What if I fail to complete the requirements for the course (i.e.- the paper, journal,
and/or project)?
If any of the components for internship credit are not completed, a grade of "F"
will be given. If you do not fulfill the requirements for the course or withdraw,
you receive the grade of "F". If you re-register to take the class over to replace
the grade, you must complete another internship project.
