College of DuPage faculty members play a key role in the learning partnership created by academic and internships. Qualified student-interns, who enroll for academic credit, work and learn under the direction of faculty internship advisors and site supervisors. This positive partnership leads to career and workforce development and academic learning.
Internship Criteria
College of DuPage defines an internship as “a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting.” Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths, and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.
- The experience must be an extension of the classroom: A learning experience that provides for application of knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
- The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
- The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a position description with desired qualifications.
- There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
- There is guidance and supervision by a qualified and appropriate employee who will assign duties to the intern that are career-related, progressive and challenging. 6. There is routine feedback provided by the experienced supervisor.
- There are resources, equipment and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.
- The internship should be conducted in an acceptable professional location and atmosphere and should not be in an employee’s home or other work environment deemed unfit by the Career Services Center.
Internship Checklist
All students who want to pursue an academic internship (internships for credit) must meet all College of DuPage internship requirements. Once a student has secured an internship, the student should schedule an appointment with Career Services.
All items on this list should be completed by the student seeking academic credit:
- Meet with the manager for Career Services. Bring a position description that includes the internship duties and responsibilities.
- Identify a faculty advisor and secure authorization of their intent to serve throughout the internship timeframe. Students who do not have a faculty member will be assisted by Career Services.
- Meet with an internship faculty advisor to discuss internship details.
- Complete and submit the following forms to the Career Services Center (SSC, Room 3258): Learning Agreement, Permit to Register, Academic Internship Responsibilities and Student Initial Self-Assessment.
- Register for an internship course. Students will be notified by email of approval with registration information within 10 business days of receipt of all academic internship forms.
- Pay for internship course.
- Begin work at internship.
- Complete and submit the following to Career Services (SSC, Room 3258): Student Record, Student Final Self-Assessment and Site Supervisor Final Assessment. Deadline: last day of the term.
Internship Resources
Job Search Assistance
Career Services offers a variety of job search resources to help students and community members with resume and cover letter writing. Students can also explore employment options using Career Coach and find potential job opportunities on our online job board, Chaps Get Hired.
Classroom Presentations
Career Services is dedicated to coaching students and job seekers through the career development process along with job and internship search support. We welcome the opportunity to partner with you as you bring career related topics to the classroom. We can speak on any of the following topics and customize based on your discipline and the related industry expectations. All presentations are thirty minutes unless there is an assignment involved.
- Career Services Overview/Blackboard Organization Demo
- Resource Overview Career Coach and/or Chaps Get Hired
- Resource demo Vmock/Interview Stream
- Elevator Pitch/Networking
- Internship Search and Success
- Interviewing
- Resume/Cover Letter
In addition to a presentation, Career Services can also be incorporated into an assignment and/or a classroom activity. Career Services will work with you to find the best solution for your students.
Complete the Faculty Partnership Request Form and a member from our team will be in touch within five business days. Career Services staff requests a minimum of four weeks for presentation requests and six weeks for a presentation with an assignment/activity request. All requests well be evaluated based on scheduling and availability.
Faculty Webinars and Demos
Connecting Careers and the Classroom
Studies have shown the primary motivator for students is preparation for the workforce. Join COD’s Career Services Center for a discussion on how skills you are teaching relate to jobs our students want. After this session, you will be able to connect learning outcomes to career readiness based on competencies identified by National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
- Visit Cornerstone for dates.
Note: Faculty Development Sessions earn EDC Credits
For ADA accommodations, email access@cod.edu with the subject line *event title* and your accommodation request. Send an email two weeks in advance.
VMock Smart Resume Platform
Interested in helping your students with their resumes but feel there's just not enough time to provide detailed feedback? Career Services offers VMock SMART Resume. Within seconds of uploading a resume, students receive a score benchmarked against their peers based on data-science and AI technology. Students can click through detailed feedback to identify ways to not only improve their score but power-up their resume to meet recruiters' needs. Join us for a quick overview of the tool, chat us your questions and learn how we can support your class using this tool.
Big Interview
Big Interview is a mock interview platform that offers students the chance to practice their interview skills anytime. Students can choose from hundreds of interview questions and record their responses. Students will then receive instant AI feedback and can watch their recordings to gain insight and reflect. They can also share their recordings with others for feedback and review. Attend a demo to learn more and how Career Services can help with incorporating this tool into your class.
Contact Information
Career Services
Student Services Center (SSC), Room 3373
Regular Hours:
Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Email: csc@cod.edu
Phone: (630) 942-2230
Fax: (630) 942-4596
Follow us:
Instagram: @codcareercenter
Facebook: @codcareerservicescenter
Twitter: @codcareercenter
Linkedin: @codcareercenter