Requirements

Internships Quick Links

The Animal Science internship program is designed to expand a student's education by including academic credit for work experiences that help the student grow both professionally and personally. Students are encouraged to participate in more than one internship experience but only a total of 6 credits from internship experience (ANS 399A) can be counted toward graduation requirements.

Students will receive credit for their internship during the semester following their internship experience in which they will sign up for ANS 399A.  However, students will need to meet with Christen Burgett, before they enroll in the course and leave for the summer. (ex. Summer Internship – receive credit in fall semester, if a student completes a semester long internship from August through December – they will receive credit in the spring semester).  Iowa State limits the total number of internship credits that can be applied toward graduation to 6 credits.  The number of credits is not strictly determined by the number of hours worked but a "rule of thumb" is 100 hours of internship experience is expected for each 1 credit earned. Using this rule of thumb, internships during fall or spring semester can earn up to 6 credits toward graduation.  Therefore, for a summer internship the maximum is 4 credits, for a semester long internship it is 6 credits, and students can do 2 summer internships at 3 credits each summer. 

If students are participating in a semester long internship, students can enroll in ANS 399B for "R" credit during their internship to maintain full-time student status. Enrolling in ANS 399B is usually only beneficial to students participating in internship experiences during fall or spring semesters.  Interns usually enroll in ANS 399A for credit in the semester after the completion of their internship experience.

All students who are planning to receive credit for their summer/semester long internship will need to meet with Christen Burgett prior to leaving for their internship as seeing some required paperwork will need to be completed before the start of the internship and so that way the student will become familiar with the necessary expectations and requirements of the course.    

Steps before your internship begins

1. Complete the Memorandum of Agreement Form and Release and Waiver of Liability Statement [PDF] These two forms need to be turned in before you leave for your internship
2. Secure a job that qualifies for internship credit (see "Qualifications" link along right hand side of webpage). You will need to consider housing, insurance, transportation and any other requirements for your internship.

  • Potential internships can be found among previous internship presentations (see Past Internships).
  • Internship opportunities which are sent to the Department of Animal Science are distributed throughout the Department in a variety of ways. Internship information is condensed to only the key points of information and put on PowerPoint slides. These slides are then displayed on the monitor screens that can be seen around Kildee Hall (outside of Lush Auditorium, near 1221, and opposite the Kildee Atrium Mural).
  • Internship opportunities are also publicized at the CALS Ag Career Day and/or sent to the CALS Career Services Office and can be accessed through CyHire which is located on the CALS Career Services website which can be found at the following link: www.career.cals.iastate.edu
  • Internships can also be found in the Department of Animal Science Undergraduate Student Newsletter. 
  • Internships are not restricted to positions located through these sources. Any job that satisfies the internship qualifications can be proposed for internship credit.

3. Verify that your employer is willing to adhere to the Information for Internship Cooperator [PDF].
4. Discuss internship possibility with your advisor to verify that they support you completing the internship for credit.
5. Submit Internship Memorandum of Agreement [PDF] and Release and Waiver of Liability Statement [PDF].
6. If the internship is during fall or spring semester, enroll in ANS 399B for R credit. There is no tuition for this course but it will allow you to maintain full-time student status at ISU while you are on your internship. Summer interns do not typically enroll in ANS 399B.
7. Enroll in ANS 399A for the semester after your internship when you plan to return to Iowa State University. Credits are variable but usually 3 credits are earned for summer internships and up to 6 credits are earned for a full semester internship.

Steps to complete before your internship

1. Complete the Internship Memorandum of Agreement [PDF]

  • Be sure to get your Academic Advisor's Signature
  • Be sure to get  your Cooperator/Boss's Signature
  • Be sure you sign and date the form as well

Steps during your internship

1. Maintain a Bi-Weekly Journal Reflections [PDF] that includes

  • Bi-weekly journal entries
  • Bi-weekly reflections

2. Begin to consider what issue, problem or topic you will pursue for your scientific paper.
3. Have pictures taken of you performing various tasks during your internship

Steps after your internship

1. Enroll in ANS 399A for credit.
2. Students will gain access to the course materials and updated assignment due dates the SECOND week of classes through Canvas. 
3. The following requirements will need to be completed and turned in at various due dates throughout the semester:

4. Feel satisfaction in knowing that you have done something that:

  • was positive for your professional development
  • earned credit toward your BS degree in Animal Science and
  • may well have been one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

Students will be graded on the following Content:

  • Internship Coordinator Evaluation (complete forms as requested and demonstrate interest in professional growth)
  • Cooperator Final Evaluation (work presentation, habits, skills, growth and overall rating)
  • Internship Journal and Reflections (complies with requested format, entries accurately completed with introspective consideration of experiences)
  • Oral Presentation (student appearance, requested content, good quality visuals, visuals submitted on time, good presentation)
  • Scientific Paper Component (related to internship, properly referenced, significant depth, soundness of interpretations and quality of writing)

The Internship Scoring Rubric [PDF] is currently how students are being graded in regards to their internship experience.  Please note that internship requirements and point-values are subject to change.