Internships

The Richland Community College Internship Program (or Work Practicum) offers students valuable experiential learning opportunities, integrating academic knowledge with professional, real-world practice. Students enroll in the appropriate 290 Practicum Seminar Internship Course (e.g., ACCT 290, BUS 290) to gain relevant work experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career pathways.

A wide variety of internships or work practicum opportunities are available. The course duration varies based on the academic term:

Fall and Spring Semesters: The internship course typically lasts sixteen (16) weeks.

Summer Term: The internship course typically lasts eight (8) weeks.

Students must meet specific academic and logistical requirements to register an internship for credit:

Consultation: Interested students should consult with their designated Success Coach to confirm they have met the appropriate amount of credits and are academically ready to register for the relevant 290 Practicum Seminar course.
Securing Placement: Students are responsible for securing their own internship site and position. Career Services is available to support this initiative by offering assistance with job search strategies, providing access to the Handshake employer network, and facilitating direct connections with companies.
Approval and Paperwork: Prior to the start of the term, students must complete the official Internship Application, which requires the inclusion of detailed learning goals, a job description, and specific duties for the internship role.
Agreement Forms: Both the student and the employer must complete and submit their respective Student Internship Agreement and Employer Internship Agreement forms to Career Services.
Faculty Authorization: All submitted documentation requires review and final approval from the assigned Faculty Academic Advisor before the student can be officially registered.
Current Employment: Students may often use their current employment for the internship, provided the position and duties align with the learning objectives of their academic program and receive faculty approval.

To successfully complete the internship and receive academic credit, students must fulfill the following term-long requirements:

Duration and Hours: The internship must span the entire course duration (8 to 16 weeks) and include both the mid-term and final periods. Students are required to complete a minimum of 150 active internship hours.
Canvas Coursework: An accompanying Canvas course is mandatory. This course supplements the hands-on experience with academic assignments, which must be submitted by their assigned due dates throughout the term.
Evaluation and Verification: Students are responsible for submitting both Mid-term and Final Evaluations for the internship. These evaluations must be accompanied by Verification of Internship Hours at both the mid-term and final deadlines. Acceptable verification includes copies of pay stubs, timesheets, or an official letter from the direct intern supervisor attesting to the hours completed.

The following programs include internships (290 courses) as part of their curricula:

Accounting
Agribusiness
Automotive Technology
Business
Criminal Justice
Culinary Arts
Diesel Truck Technology
Early Childhood Education
Engineering Technology
Health Information Technology
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Horticulture
Hospitality Management
Network Technology
Software Applications Programming
Welding Technology