Internships
Completing an internship during your time at Miami University allows you to apply your classroom learning to hands-on job experiences. Internships are key experiential learning opportunities that will help you clarify your personal, professional, and academic goals.
Why Intern?
Internships unlock future career opportunities. Studies show that students who complete an internship while in college are more likely to secure a full-time role after graduation. They also tend to have higher starting salaries.
This experience can help you to:
- Enhance your resume with practical experience and technical skills
- Refine your people skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving
- Gain an understanding of professional etiquette and workplace norms
- Build or expand your professional network
- Preview potential career paths
Find an Internship
Need help finding an internship? Plan to attend Miami networking events like career and internship fairs. You should also apply for opportunities through online platforms like Handshake.
Request Academic Credit for Your Internship Experience
Complete our Internship Request Form in Handshake for your internship experience to be documented and/or to receive academic or credit for it. Your internship can be paid or unpaid but should be in a degree-related field.
Your internship can take place in any semester/term. If you hope to be awarded academic credit, be sure to follow the posted deadlines on the One Stop’s site.
Contact exp-edu@MiamiOH.edu with any questions.
Your Internship: Your Future
Turn Your Internship into a Job
Reneging on a Job or an Internship Offer
Accepting (verbally or in writing) an employment offer with an organization and subsequently declining the acceptance for another opportunity is called reneging. Reneging is considered unethical and unprofessional behavior and:
- Tarnishes the reputation of your fellow students in the eyes of prospective employers.
- Negatively impacts the university’s ability to attract employers to campus.
- Has potentially harmful consequences for your professional reputation going forward.
The Career Center does not condone accepting offers as a “backup plan” while you continue to search for something else. Reneging on an offer is counter to the university’s student code of conduct, which states in part, “We believe in honesty, integrity, and the importance of moral conduct.”
A student who fails to withdraw from their search and continues to solicit another position, or reneges on a previously accepted position, may have their ability to participate in Career Center activities and services restricted until the issue is resolved. In addition, the student will be referred to their faculty advisor, department chair, and/or dean as appropriate.
Consider asking for an extension on the deadline for accepting the job offer. Career Center staff can help you with crafting the request for more time to consider offers. Employers may not grant the request, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Reneging is potentially more damaging to your professional reputation and may lead to the new offer being rescinded if the second company finds out.
Remember, you don’t need to rush to say yes before you consider an offer fully. If you’re getting deadline pressure from the employer (or elsewhere), meet with Career Center staff to help you examine your options, including an extension, clarification of the role/expectations, salary, etc. Don’t accept an offer in haste without making an informed decision to commit to the employer and the role.
Again, ask for an extension with the first organization with the help of Career Center staff. If the company is unwilling to extend the deadline, or if you haven’t heard back from the other organization by the time the extended deadline is over, you’ll have to decide to accept the offer and end your job search or decline the offer and continue your job search.
Possibly yes. If you have other offers that have better compensation, position duty, or location you could explore negotiating with an employer on one or more of these factors. Bear in mind they may be unwilling or unable to accommodate you. Career Center staff can help you formulate a strategy.
Student Grants and Awards
Need financial assistance to pursue an internship or a research experience?
Students on the Oxford campus can apply for funding to help complete an internship, conduct research, or purchase needed professional attire.
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Center for Career Exploration and Success
45 Armstrong Center
550 E. Spring Street
Oxford, OH 45056
