Internships/service learning projects are graded as pass/no record and carry either four credits (one day per week), six credits (two days per week) or eight credits (three days per week). It will also include written assignments and individual meetings. The student is responsible for balancing the other academic requirements with the demands placed by the placement.
Internships/service learning projects are designed for mature students who are relatively certain of their career or professional plans. They are one of the best ways of integrating directly into British society and are highly recommended. The purpose of the placement is to provide a British work experience in the area of the student's academic preparation. Students should be able to work independently and to take responsibility for determining their goals. Evaluation is based on the quality of the written assignments, conference and meeting participation and evaluation by the employer.
Because of the competitive nature of some placements and due to the difficulty in establishing placements in certain subjects, placement cannot be guaranteed. The availability will not be known until near the beginning of each semester. Students should therefore apply for two or three general interest categories.
Due to security clearance formalities, students interested in any internship related to Parliament (politics) need to submit a completed application at the same time as the general application to the program.
Intensive Internship Option
An intensive internship opportunity is available for well-qualified and interested students who want to make an internship experience the primary focus of their London program.
The intensive internship option involves committing three to four full days at the internship sponsor site. Upon satisfactory completion of the program students will receive eight semester hours of credit. In addition, students will register for the required British Experience Seminar (worth two semester hours), plus the required Contemporary Britain (three semester hours), for a total course load of 13 semester hours. Students must apply for this option at the time of the program application. The student should address in the essay his/her ability to undertake this challenge.
As with all internships, placement cannot be guaranteed until arrival in London and an interview with the internship sponsor takes place.
Over 80 sites in a wide variety of fields have been used by Central in recent years. Sponsor sites and internship duties are changed and updated each semester based on student interests and sponsor needs. The following categories list types of placements that students have had in the past and the general duties that students were required to undertake.
Internships/Service Learning - Fields and Past Sponsors
Art and Art History
One placement per sponsor
Art majors - office/casual dress. Students should be confident in dealing with the public, have a genuine interest in art and design or have hands-on experience in that particular field of art. Past internships have included placements in:
- Commercial art galleries
- Specialist creative art and design studios
- Marketing firms
- Fashion museums
- Major public museums
Biology (see Science)
One/two placements per sponsor
Biology, Physiology majors - office dress
When possible, students will be placed in a department suitable for their interests and experience. Students should have some experience working with patients and the public. Apply early, because a background check is required for internships in which a student will be dealing with patients. Past internships have included placements in:
- Medical fields
- Research
- Therapy (in such fields as sports medicine, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and geriatrics)
Broadcasting (see Communication)
Business
One/two placements per sponsor
Accounting, Business, Computer Science majors - office dress
Working in administration, human resources, accounting, business, finance, event planning or marketing departments of various organizations. Past internships have included placements in:
- Hospitals
- Computer firms
- Banks (including international)
- Human resource departments
- Retail
- Art studios and galleries
- Museums
- Non-governmental organizations
- Consulting firms (for such things as education, information technology, sports and business, and construction)
- Financial institutions
Students must be confident in dealing with the public, computer proficient and able to act on their own initiative. Interns are often given their own projects to complete.
Communication
One placement per sponsor
Communication, English, Journalism, Library Science majors - office dress
Tasks dependent on the needs of the various sponsors at the time. Students must be confident with the public, able to act on their own initiative, computer proficient and well spoken. Knowledge of QuarkXPress and related programs is useful to these placements. Past internships have included placements in:
- Humanitarian agencies
- Research organizations
- Publishing firms
- Social service agencies
- Environmental agencies
- Design firms
- Media (TV, radio, magazines)
- Marketing and promotion firms
- Journalism
- Medical agencies
- International organizations
- Public relations
Computer Science
One placement per sponsor
Computer Science majors - office dress
While computer-based internships may be available at various organizations, we will attempt to place computer science majors with computer companies. These interns should have at least an intermediate background in computing, especially on the technical and/or software side. They should also consider the possibility of an intensive internship. Past internships have included placements in:
- Web design consulting
- Computer services
- Programming
- IT departments
Education
One/two placements per sponsor
Education majors - teaching dress
These internships are teaching assistantships where students will observe and aid in classes. Each internship varies by school and teacher. When possible, students will be placed in the area of their particular interest (i.e. music, physical education, mathematics, special needs, science, etc.). Because a background check will need to be completed before starting at this internship, please indicate your interest early. Past internships have included placements in:
- Public primary and secondary schools
- Special needs schools and departments
- Private international schools
- Activity groups for children
English (see Communication)
Environmental Science
One placement per sponsor
Political Science, Sociology, Communication majors - casual office dress
Intern duties can range from providing the public with information (mail and telephone) or compiling research information, to general administrative duties, depending on the needs of the various departments and the agenda at the time. Students must be comfortable communicating with the public. Internships with these organizations do not involve any direct participation in public protest. Past internships have included placements in:
- Human rights organizations
- Animal rights organizations
- Environmental activism
History
One placement per sponsor.
Past internships have included placements in:
- Museums
- Historical societies
- Ethnic foundations
Information Technology (see Computer Science)
Journalism (see Communication)
Library Science (see Communication)
Music - Administration
One placement per sponsor
Music majors - casual dress
Assisting in various tasks as required by the administrative departments (i.e. development, marketing, press and education). Students should have a strong interest in classical and/or choral music. Past internships have included placements in:
- Orchestras
- Opera houses
- Promotion companies
Occupational Therapy/ Sports Medicine (see Biology)
Political Science
One placement per sponsor
Political Science majors (preferred)- office dress
Internships in this area require advance security clearance in order to obtain a security pass for access to the Houses of Parliament. Students who are accepted must take the internship. Past internships have included placements in:
- Parliament - Internships involve aiding the running of the office, shadowing the Member of Parliament (M.P.), research, working with other M.P.s and assisting the M.P. and their assistants. Students will be exposed to the particular areas of interest of the M.P. they are working under and will often have to visit the M.P.'s constituency (often quite far from London), sometimes on weekends. Interns should have a strong interest in politics and world news/issues, be familiar with British political processes and be comfortable communicating with politicians, influential business people, general public, press, etc.
- Research departments
- International think-tanks
- Environmental and development agencies
Public Relations (see Communication)
Publishing (see Communication)
Internships at various publishing organizations depend on the needs of their departments (i.e. editorial, sales, marketing, production and research). Duties may involve proof/copy reading, analysis and rejection of unsolicited manuscripts, composition of rejection letters, author correspondence, publicity mailing and collation of sales materials, photocopying, filing, etc. Interns must have a good command of English. Knowledge of QuarkXpress and other related computer programs is useful to these internship placements.
Psychology ( also see Social Sciences)
One placement per sponsor. Past internships have included placements in:
- Psychological research
- Help centres for women and families
Religion
One/three placements per sponsor
Religion, Psychology majors - casual dress. Organizations are religious-based. Past internships have included placements in:
- Childcare facilities
- Inter-city youth groups
- Charity organizations
- Community centers
- Humanitarian assistance centers
- Homeless shelters
- Radio/media companies
Science (see Biology)
One/two placements per sponsor
Chemistry, Biology, other science majors - casual dress. Past internships have included placements in:
- Occupational therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Universities (research with faculty)
- Hospitals
Social Sciences/Sociology
One/two placements per sponsor
Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology majors - casual dress
Internships are with a variety of different organizations that care about the well-being and social issues of children, the mentally ill, the poor, the elderly, the homeless, the physically disabled, alcohol and drug dependents, family planning and the home environment. Students work with care workers and clients, as well as providing the organizations with the administration, research and information needs required at the time.
Interns must be able to work on their own initiative. Students should feel comfortable working with disadvantaged children and adults, as well as local social service officials. Students should state their specific area of interest, and we will attempt to place them with a relevant organization. Past internships have included placements in:
- Homeless shelters
- Women's health and awareness organizations
- Social service agencies
- Care homes for the elderly
- Missions
- Care facilities for mental health patients
Theatre
One placement per sponsor
Theatre majors - casual dress
Internships at various well-known fringe/pub theatres, assisting in the running of these venues and working with the administrative and artistic staff. Interns work in departments, as required, with tasks that can include stage management, assisting directors, some script reading, providing technical support during productions, box office and general administrative duties. Evening and weekend work is often required. These are not acting or directing internships.
