University of Michigan School of Information
Internships
The Career Development Office coaches students on conducting a successful internship search, engages them throughout the experience and empowers them to see how internships connect to their career goals and professional development.
Practical experience through internships is highly encouraged in all degree programs and required in the MHI program. This form of experience-based learning allows students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom. Students are able to reflect on the experience while considering how this will impact their future actions. Through internships, students can develop their identities as information professionals. Donor support provides funding for eligible unpaid and underpaid internships.
All internships approved for UMSI Internship Course credit have these benefits:
- The internship is related to what is taught and researched at UMSI and connects to the student’s coursework and future career goals
- The internship provides hands-on professional work that helps the student develop new learning, skills and abilities
- The student has a professional supervisor with three or more years of experience who provides mentoring for a successful internship experience
94% of students say internships made them better prepared for career success.
Bachelor of Science in Information
Given the real-world orientation of the BSI, internships are encouraged and actively supported by the Career Development Office. All BSI juniors must take SI 300 Career & Internship Search Studio instructed by Career Development Office staff. This course provides a foundation of career education for all BSI students and supports students throughout their internship search. BSI students can also receive elective credit for summer internships.
Master of Science in Information
Master of Science in Information students are encouraged and actively supported by the Career Development Office to pursue internships. MSI students are able to take a 1-credit elective course, SI 505 Career & Internship Search Studio, which is instructed by Career Development Office staff. This course provides a foundation in career education and supports students throughout their internships search. Typically MSI students participate in internships around the world during the summer between the first and second years of the program, but there is flexibility to earn credit during fall or winter of their second year. While completing an approved internship, MSI can students participate in an online internship course to complement the internship experience and further their learning. MSI students are able to earn up to 9 internship course credits from approved internship(s), which are counted towards the total SI credits needed for graduation
Master of Health Informatics
Master of Health Informatics students must earn at least three but no more than nine internship course credits from approved internship(s) in order to graduate. Typically students fulfill this requirement in locations around the world during the summer between the first and second years of the program, but there is flexibility to earn internship course credit during fall or winter of their second year.
PhD in Information
Although not required, internships give PhD students considering a non-academic career path additional practical experience. The Career Development Office provides internship search coaching for those students who wish to pursue an industry internship to complement their PhD program study.
Internship grants
UMSI offers internship grants to support students, regardless of citizenship, who are enrolled in a degree program and wish to participate in an internship that may be unpaid or underpaid. The link below provides a chart to determine eligibility, focus and requirements for each award. Additional information about eligibility, requirements and applying for the internship grant can be found on M-Compass.