Internships
Internships provide students with the opportunity to be in a professional work setting while earning credits toward their degree in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, or Computer Information Technology. Internships are for individuals who see themselves as responsible, motivated, eager to learn, dependable, and flexible. Having good interpersonal skills and the ability to write well increases one's chances of being hired by an organization. Organizations look for interns to bring a fresh perspective, innovative ideas, as well as to share the knowledge they have obtained from their college courses.
Interns are representatives of the department and should enhance the reputation of the department and the university. Interns have an inside track to a potential permanent position within the organization after an internship. An internship can be broad in its scope of work or it can be project-based allowing the student to work closely with professionals. Organizations that offer internships benefit not just from the work of an intern but the experience will also contribute to the intellectual and professional development of future workers. There are almost no instances in which interns have not reported to their faculty internship adviser that their experience had given them more self-confidence in their abilities and skills. Just as important, internships reinforce one's commitment to earning and maintaining high grades.
The internship coordinator for the department is Dr. John Gaffrey, gaffrey@mnstate.edu, 218-477-2863. He will be glad to provide you the department's internship agreement form, to explain the requirements for an internship, and to provide a list of companies and organizations that have traditionally offered internships to our majors. An internships earns from 1 to 6 elective credits
For complete information and what is expected of you in an internship, please visit Career Services.
Hints on finding an Internship
Finding an internship is much like finding a job after graduation. Begin your "internship hunt" by talking to students who have done an internship or by checking with the Career and Placement office in the Student Union. You may also begin your search by looking in the "want ad" section of regional newspapers. In general, bank, insurance companies, hospitals, clinics, accounting firms, law offices, and manufacturing companies, are good places to inquire about internships. The following is a list of companies at which students have done internships:
- Microsoft Business Solutions (formerly Great Plains Software) in Fargo
- IBM in Rochester MN
- 3M in the Twin Cities
- Cargill in Fargo (701-271-3500)
- Cargill in Wayzata MN (Twin Cities area)
- Schwan's Sales Enterprises, Inc in Marshall, MN
- Ulysses Telemedia Networks in the Twin Cities area
- ND Dept of Human Services, Bismark ND
- Otter Tail Power, Fergus Falls, MN
- Lutheran Hospital and Homes in Fargo
- Community First Bank in Fargo
- US Bank in Fargo
- Blue Cross Blue Shield in Fargo
- Clarica Life Insurance in Fargo
- International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) in Fargo (701-297-7908)
- The Village Family Service Center in Fargo
- Crystal Pierz Marine in Fargo
- Corporate Technologies in Fargo
- SEI Information Technology in Fargo
- Intellisol in Fargo
- Northern Water Works Supply in Fargo
- MSUM Information Technology department located on the 2nd floor of MSUM Library
- MnSCU also located on the 2nd floor of MSUM Library
- MSUM Student Technology Team (with Dr. Rhonda Ficek) on the 1st floor of MSUM Library
- CSIS department at MSUM (working technical support with E.J. Smith)
- Fargo Moorhead YMCA
- Moorhead School District
- MeritCare Health Systems
- The Fargo Forum
- Kiland's Office Systems in Fargo
- American Crystal Sugar in Fargo
- Tharaldson Property Management in Fargo
- Sierra Corporate Design (Newsfeeds.com) in Fargo
- Fargo Verteran's Administration Hospital (239-3700) extension 3853
Internships provide invaluable experience to the student and often lead to permanent employment. The department encourages students to talk to our internship coordinator to find out how you can qualify for an internship as well as a list of organizations to contact for an internship. Please e-mail our internship coordinator, Dr. John Gaffrey, at gaffrey@mnstate.edu. Dr. Gaffrey will also be glad to help you if you prefer to call him. His number is 218.477.2863.
The university website for general information on internships is www.mnstate.edu/career