The University of Illinois Springfield offers two work programs: One for undergraduate students and another for graduate students.
The Internship and Prior Learning Services program allows undergraduates to get work depending on their major, and in turn gain academic credit while completing an internship.
“The students get courses to go with the experience of the internship. We allow them to reflect back on what they learned in the workforce and what we can teach them better in the classroom,” said Sarah Stover, visiting assistant director of the program. Some majors require the internships for credit. However, all students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity.
“I've had some students who have gotten full-time jobs after they graduated from just working for a couple of months with an employer,” said Kevin Beeson, visiting professor of the program at UIS.
UIS' Graduate Public Service Internship Program (GPSI, or “gypsy”) was designed to provide graduate students a chance to qualify for an internship opportunity while pursing a graduate degree.
“The program allows the students to gain two things: real-world experience, and economic benefit towards paying off their tuition,” said Rance Carpenter, director of the GPSI program.
The programs were featured by The State Journal-Register on March 30, 2014.
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