Internship Program
Overview
An internship is required of all undergraduate students in the Interior Design BFA program. The internship component is designed to give senior students experience in, and exposure to, the realities of the professional world of art and design in order to better prepare them for employment upon graduation.
Information for Students
Internship Program Guide, Application & Time Sheet (download PDF)
* After you have completed this form, return via email to Prof. Hackett nhackett@suffolk.edu.
Finding an Internship
Internship opportunities are available to current students on Blackboard within the Interior Design majors course as well as in the University's Coop Learning Office. However, it is the students' responsibility to secure an appropriate internship. Networking is often the most effective method for finding internships, be that networking at Interior Design Program events or alumni functions or at meetings of local trade associations (IIDA, ASID, ISP, NEIDC, IFMA, AIA). Professional contacts made through informational interviews or through guest critics or volunteers at the University can also be good sources for internship leads.
Negotiating an Internship
Make sure that you talk very specifically about what your job responsibilities will be and who will supervise your work. Interviews should be a two-sided process. You want to accept an internship that gives you the greatest amount of creative experience. That is not to say you should refuse to make copies or work in the resource library, but it's important to participate in as many learning activities as possible, because learning is the “payment” for your internship.
Making the Most of Your Internship
Treat your internship seriously and professionally. Be punctual, act responsibly and always meet deadlines. Because internships are often your best reference when searching for jobs, many can lead to full-time employment opportunities. You should consider your internship to be a trial run for the "real world" of interior design, so be assertive and suggest ways you can more fully participate in projects in order to get a broad range of experiences and exposure to the field.
Waiver of the Internship Requirement
If you have completed work in an appropriate situation (with or without a salary), you may petition to have the Internship requirement waived with the approval of an Interior Design Program Co-Director. Please note: a waiver does not earn credit. In order for a waiver to be considered, you must have been employed for a minimum of 8 hours per week for a semester. To pursue a waiver, you must complete a Request for Exemption from Internship Requirement form. (download PDF)
* After you have completed this form, return via email to Prof. Hackett nhackett@suffolk.edu.
Information for Employers
To submit an internship posting, please email Program Co-Director, Nancy Hackett nhackett@suffolk.edu
Employer Evaluation Sheet (download PDF)
* After you have completed this form, return via email to Prof. Hackett nhackett@suffolk.edu.
Internship Requirements
Internships must be documented with the following:
- Internship Application Form: Name of company Supervisor’s name Job description, activities and duties.
- Internship Time Sheet (s): Daily log of time worked with start/finish times Initialed and signed by supervisor.
- Internship Evaluation Form: Supervisor’s evaluation of student performance.
- Student Notebook/Journal of Observations: Daily journal of activities and observations Includes student’s evaluation of the internship.
- Attendance: classroom meetings.
Regulations Governing Internships
- All internships must be confirmed in writing in advance.
- Time sheets of hours worked must be provided in order for credit to be granted.
- All Internships must be approved and supervised by the Interior Design Program Co-Director.
- Internships are limited to senior students and will ordinarily be completed during spring semester of the senior year.
- A maximum of 6.0 credits may be earned. Internship credit does not exempt students from courses required by their Major Program.
- Tuition: part-time students will be billed for internship credits at the same rate as for academic courses and Internship charges will appear on the student’s bill.
- By signing the Internship Application Form the employer agrees to the terms and policies of the Internship Program as outlined on this page.