New on-campus internship program offers academic experience, financial support

UNC Charlotte students can apply for paid internships to work with a faculty or staff mentor through the University Professional Internship Program (UPIP).

This unique program, possible through the joint efforts of the University Career Center (UCC) and sponsoring academic departments, is designed to engage undergraduate students in academically relevant, on-campus work while earning both academic credit and pay, said Carrie Silver, UPIP program manager.

Students must be full-time sophomores, juniors or seniors in good standing with the University and must be able to complete 10 to 15 hours a week for a total of 150 minimum to 225 maximum hours for the 2014 spring semester. The UCC will provide support for the mentor/intern partnership throughout the semester while providing half of the intern’s salary from a central fund.

This new program is currently underway, and Silver noted it has already gained attention for its support of students’ timely completion of degrees and preparation for possible careers. “Participating students are able to explore possible careers, test skills and build professional knowledge and competencies related to their future careers all while staying on campus. Faculty and staff also become valuable mentor supervisors.”

Twenty-seven University departments offered internships to more than 30 students during this inaugural semester of the program. Internships topics were varied and included marketing, research, software implementation, curriculum design, social media, campus customer service and athletic media relations.

UPIP is accepting proposal applications from UNC Charlotte departments for spring 2014. Academic departments and research/administration units are encouraged to submit proposals. (Dates for summer and fall 2014 and spring 2015 internships will be publicized in January). The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, Oct. 15. The UPIP Faculty Advisory Committee will review proposals for selection and positions will be posted for students by Wednesday, Oct. 23.

More information about the program and department/student responsibilities is online. Faculty and staff members also can attend an information session from 3 to 4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 7, in the University Career Center. Email questions to Silver at c.silver@uncc.edu or to Denise Dwight Smith, UCC director, at ddsmith@uncc.edu.