By Jenna Snider
Eleven majors at Bellarmine, including communication, criminal justice and business administration require students to complete an internship to graduate.
Students enrolled in these majors must take a 3-credit hour internship course and gain 90 hours of work experience to fulfill their major requirements. Students in other majors have the opportunity to complete an internship for credit through an elective course.
According to Bellarmine’s website, “We GUARANTEE every student the opportunity to have an internship, develop a career plan and build a professional network.”
Carlos Vega, a double major in photography and design, arts and technology, recently acquired a product design internship at Duolingo. He can receive credit for this experience through DAT 444, which is a required course for DAT majors.
“I’m really excited,” Vega said. “I know they have a wonderful team and that’s one of the things I value about the company is that they really take care of the employees.”
Vega said he used Bellarmine’s career resources for help with the hiring process.
“When I was applying, I went to the Career Development Center to ask for some advice when it comes to applying for companies and just how to respond in interviews and stuff like that, so I felt very confident with the help from the Career Development Center,” Vega said.
The Career Development Center offers students help with all aspects of the internship process, including searching for an opportunity, creating a resume and preparing for interviews.
“When we meet with students one-on-one in advising appointments, we walk them through and talk about that process because it’s not something you just know, it’s a learned thing,” Jackie McNatt, the Career Development Center director, said. “I think everybody’s journey is different, too.”
Finding and getting hired for an internship is not always an easy process. Criminal justice major Jolie Parker said she is struggling to find an internship in her field of interest that will fill the internship requirement for her major.
“I haven’t been able to find many criminal justice related internships. Every time I look, the only thing that comes up is criminal investigation, and that’s not what I want,” Parker said.
McNatt said she understands the internship process can be difficult and intimidating but she believes it is worthwhile.
“Research shows that students who complete internships are more likely to have an easier transition into the workforce,” McNatt said. “It may feel like a daunting process. It may feel like a pain when you’re required to do one, but the benefits far outweigh any challenges you might face in that process.”
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