More colleges pushing internships in liberal arts

Students in the professional fields have for years listened to professors and career advisers drone on about the importance – indeed, the necessity – of a solid undergraduate internship experience.

But more of their liberal-arts oriented peers may soon be getting in on the action, as institutions expand their focus to emphasize the importance of internships across all majors, and some even make the experience a requirement for graduation.

The College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y. has done just that. After a voluntary internship course in the department gained traction, Saint Rose decided to make internships mandatory for all English majors, starting with students who enrolled in 2007. And as those students are entering the job market, officials thus far have been pleased with the results.

“English is always one of those decisions and majors where students take it because they really enjoy it, but sometimes they have a very difficult time projecting the skills and talents that they develop there out into the real world,” said Kim Middleton, chair of Saint Rose’s English department. “I think we feel a deep responsibility to our students to make sure they leave here feeling as if they’re not set adrift.”

» via Inside Higher Ed