BI 410 Internship

Finding an internship site

This process has a variable timeline and presents similar to a job search.

Sometimes it can take a week, sometimes months. Start two terms in advance.

It is your responsibility to secure a site and do any onboarding before the term starts.  

Please be kind to sites as they are volunteering their time to help you grow.

• Start reaching out via phone, email, or in person. Start with people you know, or do an internet search to find a biology-based site that fits your future goals.
• Biology internship sites are diverse and may include research laboratories, conservation organizations, wildlife agencies, zoos, aquariums, and biotechnology companies. Students might assist with field research, habitat restoration, laboratory studies, or wildlife and environmental education programs.
• It will take persistence and checking back in with the sites to show your dedication and interest. You may have to go to the site and show who you are.
• Prepare your resume and cover letter and plan to share with the site. And be ready to interview! Our Career Design Center can help you prepare for this process, as well as your Beyond OSU I and II courses.
• Talk with your potential site supervisor about the credits, hours, your availability, dates of the term(s), etc. Share the site supervisor resources with them.
• Once a site has agreed to allow you to spend time there, please thank any other sites you have engaged in conversation. Do not leave them waiting.
• Some internship sites offer paid internship, but this is not standard or expected.
• If you're considering using your current job to fulfill your internship requirement, you'll need to identify a new learning experience or take on a special project that goes beyond your regular duties. This ensures that your internship provides meaningful growth and aligns with academic learning outcomes.

Handshake process

Collect your info

Before you start, you will need to know:

• Your site's name and location

• Your site supervisor's name and email address

• Number of credits you plan to take
• A job description or the tasks and responsibilities you will take part in during your internship experience.

Submit an Experience in Handshake

1. Log into Handshake with your OSU credentials.
2. On the left side menu, click on Career Center.
3. Go to Experiences and Submit an Experience.
4. For the Experience Template, select "OSU-Cascades BI 410 Internship."
5. Then select the Term in which you plan to do your internship.
6. Fill out information pertaining to the Organization where you will do your internship.
7. Under Experience Details, input “internship” under Experience.
8. Enter the email address for the Internship Site Supervisor. NOTE: This will be an employee from your internship site/place of work that will supervise you during your internship (this is NOT someone from OSU-Cascades). 
9. Respond to all the General questions pertaining to your internship. 
10. Lastly, click Submit an Experience at the bottom.
    *Let ​your Internship Site Supervisor know to look for an email from Handshake to approve your Experience request. The request must be approved within 5 business days. Handshake emails often go to junk/spam inboxes, so remind your Supervisor to check there. Contact the Career Development Center with any issues regarding Handshake approvals.

Once your Internship Site Supervisor, Faculty Advisor, and Academic Advisor approve your Handshake Experience request, you will receive an email from your Academic Advisor instructing you to register for the course. It is your responsibility to register for the course and the corresponding number of credit hours. Refer to instructions for adding variable course credits.

Internship course expectations

The internship course runs through weeks 1-10 of the academic term. Please stay within the timeline of the term as you will have assignments throughout all 10 weeks. 

Working with your site supervisor

• Schedule a weekly meeting of 15-30 minutes with your supervisor. Come organized for your meetings. As questions, discuss your tasks and responsibilities, and ask for observations or feedback.

• Remember that you are representing the University. It is important to demostrate professionalism at all times

Assignments and tasks

Tasks will vary according to the site and type of work. You will be graded off completion of tasks.

Your supervisor will need to complete a mid-term and end-of-term evaluation. Please communicate this with them. 

Assignments include:

• Learning objectives or goals for your internship
• Bi-weekly reflections
• Updated resume that includes your internship experience
• Project proposal
• Final project and reflection
• Log of hours at site