Internship Deadlines, Process, and Handshake ILA

Chase Portaro ’24, English and Media and Communication Studies double major, spent the summer as a community engagement intern at the Cape Fear River Watch in Wilmington, NC. Chase tells us, “Cape Fear River Watch is an organization focused on improving the health and water quality of the Cape Fear River community through advocacy, education, and action! My supervisor and I led a group of volunteers to mark storm drains in the local community to notify people that the drains lead directly into our river and eventually into the water we drink, hopefully to prevent people from dumping pollution into the storm drains. ”

Alexa Alessandrini ’24, Biology major, spent the summer as a Marketing & Communications intern at Bonaventure Realty. Alexa tell us, ” I create engaging graphics, weekly newsletters, various marketing documents/pamphlets, put together helpful materials for the agents, and run the company’s social media accounts. Marketing and creating graphics is another one of my interests.”

Aidan Kreitz ’23, Applied Economics Major, interned with AKA The Fence Company as an Accounting Intern.

Alexis Miller ’23, Marketing Major, spent her summer as a marketing intern at Macy’s Herald Square office in NYC! Alexis tells us, “Interns are placed in teams where we create a marketing campaign to present to executives at the end of the 8-week program. When I am not working on my group project, I work with the Loyalty marketing team which works closely with Macy’s loyalty programs.”

John Grandrino ’23, Biology major, interned during the summer with Bender Dental Group. John tells us, “Post molar filling! Really enjoying my time at Bender Dental Group.

Jonathan Gherman ’23, English and History double major, interned with Breakthrough Atlanta. Jonny sends us this picture of all the 9th grade math & ELA teachers in the team.

Marie Gazilo, ’23, Environmental Studies major with minors in sociology and marine biology interned with Darby Creek Valley Association. Her internship including working with Pennsylvania environmental groups to plant rain gardens and provide better access to clean and safe outdoor experiences along the Darby Creek.

Matthew Nieves-Hoblin ’23, Anthropology and Sociology major, interned with Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, PA. Matthew tells us, ” I worked in the Arts Education department, preparing art supplies for and helping out with the diverse summer camp programs.

Megan Aube ’24, Biology major, interned at Delaware Pediatrics. During her internship Megan told us, “I am training as a Medical Assistant where I can take patients vitals and give vaccines daily. I also get to shadow many doctors throughout the summer! Every day I learn something new, and this internship has deepened my love for medicine and helping others.”

TJ Snyder ’24, Applied Economics major with a concentration is accounting and finance, spent his summer as a digital design and marketing intern at the HEADstrong foundation this summer. The HEADstrong foundation is a charitable, non-profit organization based just outside of Philadelphia that offers financial, residential, and emotional support to families affected by cancer.

Victoria Flint ’24, Health & Exercise Physiology major, interned with Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC. Victoria tells us, “Working here has been such as amazing opportunity, where I have been able to gain hours in direct patient care. I’m learning how to deal with different types of patients with different needs, which is something I am grateful to be exposed to in undergrad. I have seen a great amount of growth in myself when it comes to being with patients and being able to instruct them on what tests I will be conducting on them. “

Dominic Nattle ’23, Media and Communication Studies major and Film Studies minor interned with the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, Pa.

Ben Henwoord ’23, Applied Economics major with a in Accounting and Finance, interned with Republic Banks headquarters in Philadelphia. During his internship, Ben told us, “My job is to make sure the bank is complying with federal legislation and agency regulations as well as performing data validation on our systems.”

Brandan Derby ’23, Median and Communication Studies major, interned with Digital Outdoor Displays in sales and marketing.

Jared O’Connell ’23, Applied Economics major, interned with Parx Casino. Jared tells us “This is me handling invoices and transferring it over to excel at my desk. I have a monitor with one setup and the computer with another. Really enjoying my time at Parx Casino!”

Cody Wherrity ’23, an Applied Economics major, spent his summer learning the operations of a seasonal business while interning with Kitty Hawk Kites, Inc. in Nags Head North Carolina.

Rebecca Chernoff ’24, a Health & Exercise Physiology major, interned as a Physical Therapy Aide with Virtua Health: Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. She tells us ”My career goal is to become a Physician Assistant, and this experience has allowed me to become familiar with what it takes to be in the world of health care.”

Aidan Kreitz ’23, Applied Economics Major, interned with AKA The Fence Company as an Accounting Intern.

John Grandrino ’23, Biology major, interned during the summer with Bender Dental Group. John tells us, “Post molar filling! Really enjoying my time at Bender Dental Group.

Jonathan Gherman ’23, English and History double major, interned with Breakthrough Atlanta. Jonny sends us this picture of all the 9th grade math & ELA teachers in the team.

Dominic Nattle ’23, Media and Communication Studies major and Film Studies minor interned with the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, Pa.

Brandan Derby ’23, Median and Communication Studies major, interned with Digital Outdoor Displays in sales and marketing.

Cody Wherrity ’23, an Applied Economics major, spent his summer learning the operations of a seasonal business while interning with Kitty Hawk Kites, Inc. in Nags Head North Carolina.

Home Career and Post-Graduate DevelopmentInternships and ExternshipsInternship Deadlines, Process, and Handshake ILA

Internship Deadlines, Process, and Handshake ILA

Students should read the information about qualifications and guidelines for internships in the most current Ursinus College catalog.

Internship Learning Agreement and Registration Deadlines

Fall: Second Friday of the Fall Semester
Winter: Second Friday in January
Spring: Second Tuesday of the Spring Semester
Summer: Second Friday in June

Steps to Receiving Credit

Secure a UC faculty internship advisor from the department in which your internship will be conducted. The UC faculty internship advisor and student work collaboratively to identify goals of the internship, learning objectives, Quest reflection questions, and any specific projects or activities required by the department granting credit, to enable the UC faculty internship advisor to issue a grade.

Students should read the internship guidelines posted in the most recent Ursinus College catalog for the qualifications of credit experiences: https://www.ursinus.edu/academics/catalog/experiential-learning/

Exceptions to these qualifications must be approved by the Academic Standards and Discipline Committee.

Register for the department’s credit with the Registrar
Register for the internship class during the course registration period, with your Academic Advisor*.
An email needs to be sent by faculty to the Registrar to officially register for this permission-based course.
The Academic Catalog lists the number and description for internship courses and prerequisites.
Students register for a summer internship during the fall registration period.
Students register for a winter internship if participation ends prior to the start of the spring semester.
Please note to add the course number (381 or 382) including an A for a fall internship, B for a winter, C for a spring and D for a summer internship. This indicates when you are actually doing the internship.
Minimum hours: for three-credit internships, 120 hours and for four-credit internships, 160 hours

*Students must receive permission from the Registrar and/or Dean’s office if adding the internship course results in a course overload (above 18 credits) for the semester.

The ILA form is in Handshake under the Career Center tab, then the Experience tab. You should have available all information needed to complete your ILA BEFORE you begin to complete the form. Review your information for accuracy; special attention should be given to email addresses to make sure they are correct. The ILA is a multi-part form that relies on the email addresses you enter to function properly. Students will need to sign off on an internship Assumption of Risk and General Release Required Waiver within the Experience. Information needed to complete the Handshake Experience ILA form can be found in the Data Collection Form.

When you submit your Handshake Experience ILA form, the site supervisor will be sent an email with a link to complete the next portion of the form. Upon completion by the site supervisor, your UC faculty internship advisor will be sent a link to complete their portion of the form. Do NOT submit your Handshake Experience ILA more than once. If you encounter a problem submitting your form or need to make a change, contact internships@ursinsus.edu.

It is the student’s responsibility to monitor the process to be sure all portions of the Handshake Experience ILA have been completed by both the site supervisor and the faculty by the deadline for credit. You can monitor within your Handshake Experience.

The curriculum and activities in the Internship PREP course have been specifically designed to support students before they begin their internship. Students are expected to complete the Internship PREP course, preferably prior to the start of the internship, but no later than two weeks into the internship.

You will be automatically entered into the course once you’ve been registered for the internship course with the Registrar

You will receive two evaluations, one near the middle of the internship experience and one near the end of your internship experience. You will receive emails from Handshake with a link to the evaluation forms.

Please be aware that you may not receive a grade from your UC Faculty Internship Advisor until all steps are completed including the post-reflection questions in the evaluation forms.

Special Circumstances

Request should be emailed to Dean Kelly Sorensen.

Include in the email:

The purpose of the request (ex. to get approval to receive 4 credits for an internship experience this summer prior to reaching junior status).
The name of the UC Faculty Internship Advisor who has approved the internship experience as meeting department credit guidelines (ex. I have spoken to Dr. Smith about this opportunity and they verified that the experience would meet the requirements outlined by the Biology Department).
Any additional notes (ex. The site supervisor at Pfizer pharmaceutical will be able to oversee my experience for 160 hours).

In some circumstances an internship site may ask Ursinus College for additional information in order for a student to intern. Please see the options below and contact the appropriate Ursinus professional.

Request for Ursinus College to develop an agreement with the hosting organization: student needs to email the Associate Dean, Kelly Sorensen.

Request for Ursinus College to provide certification of insurance information (COI): student needs to email the Director of Environmental Health and Safety Risk Management, Carol McMillin.

In the email to Kelly Sorensen or Carol McMillin please provide the following information at least two days ahead of your paperwork due date:

State their name and contact information, including email and phone (ex. This is Susie Smith and I can be reached by email at susmith@ursinus.edu and by cell phone at 610-ABC-1234)
The purpose of the request (ex. to get a copy of Ursinus College’s certificate of insurance in order to shadow in a hospital setting OR Sample Hospital, requires an agreement between their site and Ursinus College in order for me to shadow in the health setting)
The student’s reason for seeking the College’s certificate of insurance or agreement (ex. I am interning at Abington Hospital in the summer of 2022 and the certificate/agreement is required for participation)
The name and address of the organization/medical facility making the request (ex. Abington Hospital, 1200 Old York Rd, Abington, PA 19001). Include the name and email address of the contact person to receive the COI
Specific insurance coverages requested (e.g. “evidence of general liability insurance”)
Any additional notes (ex. Abington Hospital is requesting the certificate of insurance information by May 15, 2025)

Prior to participation, a student is required to gain college approval to partake in an internship outside of the United State for Ursinus credit. These internships are not part of an Ursinus study abroad program. Students will work with the Dean’s office and Center for International Programs to obtain the waiver required for participation. Lack of prior approval disqualifies the student for academic credit.

The Center for International Programs will consider the same parameters for approving study abroad experiences, such as international alerts and warnings, when determining approval status for internships outside of the United States. Consultation with the Office of Risk Management may also be required.

A student must be in good disciplinary standing during the semester immediately prior to the planned internship experience.

Students should send one email to request approval to both Dean Kelly Sorensen and Paula Álvarez Tamés, Director of the Center for International Programs. In the email include:

The purpose of the request (ex. I am seeking approval to participate in a 4-credit internship during the spring semester in Tokyo, Japan).
The name of the UC Faculty Internship Advisor who has approved the internship experience as meeting department credit guidelines (ex. Dr. Smith and I have spoken about this opportunity, and they verified that the experience would meet the requirements outlined by the Biology Department for internship credit). Copy the UC Faculty Internship Advisor on the email sent to Dean Kelly Sorensen and Paula Álvarez Tamés.
A written or attached copy of the internship position description.
A written or attached copy of the academic, personal, and professional learning objectives you have outlined for the internship experience. Your UC Faculty Internship Advisor’s feedback should be incorporated into your written objectives. Consult the CPD website if you need assistance writing your learning objectives.

Note: Keep copies of your internship description and your written objectives; both will be copied into your Internship Learning Agreement (ILA) on Handshake Experience, if your international internship is approved for the credit process.

A written or attached copy of the housing information for the internship (ex. During the internship I will be residing in a dormitory style room with other college students. The organization hiring me as an intern, The Smith Group, provides the residence as part of the internship program).
A written or attached copy of a statement that demonstrates that you will be safe and supported during the internship by answering the following 5 questions:
1. Does your family support the experience?
2. Indicate previous international experiences.
3. How did you find the position? (there are lots of scams)
4. A contingency plan (nearest emergency contact, insurance coverage, travel plans, etc.).
5. A statement indicating that you consulted the U.S Department of State travel advisories.

Career and Post-Graduate Development

Ph: 610-409-3599
F: 610-409-3631
Career@ursinus.edu
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Internship Deadlines, Process, and Handshake ILA

Internship Learning Agreement and Registration Deadlines

Steps to Receiving Credit

Faculty Approval and Registration

Begin the Handshake Experience: UC Internship Learning Agreement (ILA)

Complete the Internship PREP course in Canvas

Complete Evaluations including post-reflection in the final step of the Handshake Experience ILA Form

Complete credit-granting department requirements

Special Circumstances

How do I request an exception from the Academic Standards and Discipline Committee?

How do I request Ursinus College to provide certification of insurance information or ask to develop an agreement with the hosting organization?

How do I get approval to participate in an internship outside of the United States?

Career and Post-Graduate Development