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Benefits

Benefits for Interns

  • Gain practical experience managing the demands of projects in the "real world."
  • In some cases, serve an internship without leaving campus.
  • Create and edit professional documents for portfolios.
  • Network with community members.
  • Work on diverse projects for a variety of sponsors.
  • Experience team dynamics through collaboration.
  • Earn course credit towards an English major or minor.


Benefits for Partners

Why Sponsor a Traditional Intern?

The Northern Illinois University Department of English can help your organization arrange internships. Many of our students have experience in technical writing, editing, and training, and they are ready to help you with your communication needs. 

Would your organization like help developing material such as the following:

  • Web pages
  • documentation for products and services
  • policies and procedures (e.g., ISO 9000)
  • specifications
  • flow charts and forms
  • manuals and instructions
  • training materials
  • job descriptions
  • brochures
  • newsletters
  • press releases
  • promotional materials
  • grants
  • flow charts and forms
  • campaign material

If you have such needs, but lack the time or resources to devote to projects like these, then you might be interested in having a student (or students) serve an internship with your organization. 

 

Why Use Traditional Interns?

In today's workplace, good communication is vital to good business. Our students have excellent writing skills, and they recognize the importance of language and communication in business. Interns can help you create or revise documents, develop training materials, or provide tutorials or workshops on writing. 

Through internships, your organization benefits by obtaining temporary workers who are highly motivated, dedicated, and cost effective. You are also able to facilitate your entry-level recruitment and preview each intern's potential. Furthermore, you can benefit students by providing internships that give them practical, professional experience before they graduate. 

 

What Does A Traditional Internship Involve?

Length - Internships typically last for one semester or summer term. However, other arrangements are possible. Every attempt is made to offer flexible scheduling in order to accommodate both your organization's time frame and the student's academic schedule. 

Supervision - Students serving credit internships are co-supervised by a faculty member and a person from your organization. During the internship, your organization participates in the intern's evaluation. 

Pay - As the sponsoring organization, you decide whether the internship is paid or unpaid. 

 

How Does Your Organization Set Up a Traditional Internship?

Internships in writing, editing, and training are easy to arrange. 

Describe the internship you would like to set up, contact us  including the following:

  • the intern's responsibilities
  • the duration of the internship
  • name(s) of those who will supervise the intern
  • pay

Although some internships can be filled immediately, we ask that you allow about a month's lead time for placement. 

If you would like more information about internships in general, contact the Traditional Internship Program at cdoederlein1@niu.edu or the English Department at askenglish@niu.edu.