- When should I take the internship course?
- Will an internship be assigned to me for this course?
- Can I work in a position with a company that does not have a formal internship?
- Can I continue to do my internship with a company I am working with now?
- Can I get internship credit for an internship that I worked prior to being enrolled in the formal required course?
- What is the expected course load that I should take during the capstone internship experience?
- Is the internship course offered in the summer?
- May I take the internship course as a distance student?
- How do I "attend" class as a distance student?
- Should I enroll in HDCS 4394 as well?
- What are the additional requirements for HDCS 4394?
- What if I have an opportunity to change positions or go to another location in the middle of my internship?
- What should I do if I have to miss a class?
- What if I have a medical emergency, have been hospitalized, or have a family emergency?
When should I take the internship course?
This course is designed to be taken in the last semester of your senior year, immediately prior to your graduation.
Will an internship be assigned to me for this course?
No, you are required to find your own internship and receive approval prior to enrollment at the beginning of the semester. The internship faculty will provide you with a list of potential employers about 3-4 weeks prior to the start of the semester; however, it is your responsibility to secure a position. Please utilize the multitude of resources available to you, such as the Professional Development Module on the RCS Student Café (the internal Canvas course just for RCS students), the Engineering Career Center, and University Career Services. If you need assistance accessing any of these resources, please reach out to Blake Mudd at bsmudd [at] central.uh.edu (bsmudd[at]central[dot]uh[dot]edu).
Can I work in a position with a company that does not have a formal internship?
Yes, you may take a position with a retail company and use it for your internship experience if the company does not have a formal internship program available.
Can I continue to do my internship with a company I am working with now?
Yes, if the company provides retail experience and if your supervisor agrees to increase your responsibilities at the company. These additional responsibilities should be outlined and forwarded to the RCS Internship Coordinator for approval.
Can I get internship credit for an internship that I worked prior to being enrolled in the formal required course?
No, you must be currently working in an internship position while enrolled in HDCS 4393. You will be unable to complete the assignments without a current internship.
What is the expected course load that I should take during the capstone internship experience?
The course load should be reduced so that your concentrated effort should be placed on your internship and getting a positive recommendation from your internship supervisor. A reduced course load of 1-2 additional courses and the internship is appropriate and will give you the time to dedicate to your assignments and preparation to land that special executive position after graduation!
Is the internship course offered in the summer?
Yes, the internship course is offered during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
May I take the internship course as a distance student?
Yes, you may take the course as a distance student as long as you receive approval from the internship faculty member prior to the start of the semester of enrollment. Distance students typically intern outside of Houston since their location does not permit taking the face to face hybrid course.
How do I "attend" class as a distance student?
As a distance student, you are required to watch the course recordings and submit a 1-2 page response paper for each recording. All other assignments are due as shown in the syllabus. For your final presentation, you may attend class or submit a video recording of your oral presentation.
Should I enroll in HDCS 4394 as well?
HDCS 4394 is offered as an option for students who are working full-time (38 hours or more per week) to receive additional course credit for their work experiences. Please talk to your academic advisor and see if this is an appropriate option for you.
What are the additional requirements for HDCS 4394?
There are no additional assignments for HDCS 4394. The only added requirement is that you work at least 38 hours per week at your internship. The course is designed to give an elective option to students who are working more hours and may have increased responsibilities in their positions. Please talk to your academic advisor and see if this is an appropriate option for you.
What if I have an opportunity to change positions or go to another location in the middle of my internship?
After discussion with the RCS Internship Coordinator, you will be advised to complete all of the assignments at that time with the first location/position, get an advanced supervisor evaluation before you leave, and recognize time limitations in completing all of the assignments. Be realistic about deadlines, changes that may happen with new assignments and time that may be lost in changing into new assignments so that your grades do not suffer. This type of change needs very serious consideration and planning.
What should I do if I have to miss a class?
As with any course, you should notify the faculty member to seek guidance on any missing material. Please note the course calendar will be published at the beginning of the semester, and you will be aware of when assignments are due.
What if I have a medical emergency, have been hospitalized, or have a family emergency?
Contact the appropriate faculty member as soon as possible. The university has a procedure to follow with documentation required to receive a medical withdrawal from all courses if this emergency should happen. This eliminates class failure, and it is strongly advised to protect your GPA and cover your unexpected emergency.