Internship FAQs

Internships provide a variety of invaluable benefits, including:

• Gaining real-world experience and applying theoretical knowledge in a practical setting
• Developing essential skills and competencies in your chosen field
• Deepening your understanding of industry practices and trends
• Building a professional network of contacts and mentors
• Enhancing your resume with valuable work experience
• Gaining clarity and direction in your career goals
• Exploring different career paths and industries before graduation
• Increasing your chances of securing future employment or graduate school opportunities
• Acquiring transferable skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving
• Boosting your confidence and self-assurance in a professional environment

We encourage you to schedule an appointment with a Career & Internship Advisor to launch your search. They can discuss search strategies, identify approaches in your industry, review your application materials, and help you build your network.

To schedule an appointment: 

1. Log into the Opportunities Board using your ePass.
2. Click on “Appointments” in the upper right corner.
3. Click “Request New Appointment.”
4. Select Internships as the type of appointment.
5. Choose a date and time that works for you!

It is never too early to start building experience! So, in terms of your academic progress, we encourage you to start looking for internships during your first year at PLU. In thinking about what point during the year to look, the hiring timeline varies by industry, so we encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our Career & Internship Advisors for the most up to date information by industry. 

Here are some general guidelines:

• For summer internships, it’s best to start applying in the fall beforehand.
• For fall or spring internships, it is recommended that you apply for internships the semester before.
• For internships in accounting and finance, many organizations hire up to 9 months in advance.
• For large technology organizations, some opportunities are recruited for 12+ months in advance. 

In many cases, you can receive academic credit for your internship. PLU offers internship credit in your major, as well as general elective internship credit. 

Here are some helpful tips about internship credit:

• You can earn 1 credit hour for every 30 hours of work completed at your internship site
• You can only receive credit during the term in which you are completing the internship. Therefore, if you are doing a summer internship, you would not be eligible to receive credit in the fall.
• Internship credit costs the same as regular course credit. Consult Student Financial Services for more information.

To learn more about registering for internship credit, click here. If you have any questions, please email us at intern@plu.edu.

There are a number of forms required for internships abroad, and students must submit all forms before starting their internship. So, start early by scheduling an appointment with a Career & Internship Advisor. They can help you review the process of receiving credit for an international academic internship and answer any questions. 

For financial aid purposes, it is important that you submit your paperwork on time to ensure you are registered for the correct number of credits.

Furthermore, paid internships can impact your eligibility for financial aid the following year since it counts towards taxable income.

If you have Work Study as a part of your award and find a Work Study position in your career field, you may qualify to take it as an internship! Connect with Student Financial Services for more detailed information.

Internships can be paid or unpaid. Wage varies by industry, position type, location, and the experience and skills required. In the Seattle/Tacoma area, it is not unusual to find positions that start at $15.74 per hour or higher. 

If you have been offered a spring or summer internship which is unpaid, you may be eligible to receive funding through the PLU Internship Fund.

Micro-Internships are short-term, paid, professional experiences that typically consist of 10 to 50 hours of work total. These experiences are project-based with clear deliverables and a set deadline to complete the work. They are a great way to build skills, make connections, and explore organizations and opportunities!