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Practical Work Experience (Internship)

The Department of Chemical Engineering offers students an opportunity to integrate classroom instruction with practical work experience. The program gives students the opportunity to verify academic and vocational interests, gain valuable experience in the chosen field prior to graduation and earn income that can be used to defray college expenses.

Practical work experience must be related to the academic major or career field interest. The work experience is conducted under approved industrial, business, institutional or governmental agency supervision. 

In many professions, interns do not get paid. Be sure to verify that your intern position is a paid internship. Practical work experience is for one-term. Students interested in alternating semesters with the same company must see the Co-op Office in the Reitz Union.

Eligibility

All students who apply for participation in the practical work experience must have completed the freshman year (30 semester hours) and be approved by the Department of Chemical Engineering prior to registration. In addition, it is required that the student have a minimum grade point average of 2.00 or higher. Keep in mind that many employers want a grade point average of 3.00 or higher.

Co-op students are ineligible for the practical work program.

Registration

Students participating in the practical work experience program must register for ECH 4948 (S/U grade).  By registering for ECH 4948 for an internship semester, a student can earn one credit of ECH technical elective. A maximum of three credits can be earned in this way. This also  provides full time enrollment status while the student is off campus in industry.

Procedure

• Obtain and complete the Request for Internship from the Academic Advisement Office, 219 Chemical Engineering.
• Contact your supervisor and obtain an outline of the work to be performed during the practical work period. This outline must indicate that meaningful work will be performed, not just routine work that does not contribute to learning.
• Register for ECH 4948 (1 credit hour S/U).
• Two weeks prior to the end of the work period, the student completes the Student's Work Report. Hard copies are available at the Academic Advisement Office or online and should be turned into 219 Chemical Engineering.
• Two weeks prior to the end of the work period, the student's supervisor completes the Employer's Evaluation Report and sends it to the Chemical Engineering Academic Advisement Office 219 Chemical Engineering.

More Information about Internships and Co-ops is also provided by UF's Career Resource Center.