Internships

Sociology Internship Program

The goal of the Sociology Internship Program is to increase the quality of the undergraduate experience by promoting hands-on career-related experiences in a variety of work environments. We are here to help you brainstorm and locate resources for internship experiences. Students are responsible for finding their own internships. We DO NOT place students. 

An internship is a career-related, educational, work experience.

Steps to take to find an internship:

1. Utilize The Center for Career and Professional Success
   100 Denney Hall phone 614.292.6961
   1. Create a resume or update your existing resume and have it critiqued by ASC Career Success during their walk-in hours.
   2. Register online for Handshake. Upload and publish your resume, finish entering your personal information, and complete your profile.
   3. Search recently added internships and check back regularly.
   4. Set up an appointment with a Career Prep Advisor in the Center for Career and Professional Success.
   5. Come to the meeting prepared with ideas for possible internship sites, and be able to discuss your career goals
2. Make your advisors, faculty, and people around you aware that you are looking for an internship. This is called networking!
3. Contact any personal or family contacts that may be a resource or an internship opportunity.
4. Look for internship postings on Handshake or with the Career Success Office Resources as well as any emails that are sent from Sociology Advising.
5. Plan ahead – start thinking about internships and actively searching for positions early. DO NOT WAIT!

Once you have secured an internship, you need to enroll in SOC 3191, “Sociology Internship & Professional Practice Program” by filling out an SOC 3191 enrollment form.pdf. Once received by Sociology advising, they will register you for the course. You cannot register yourself for the course. This is an on-line course required for you to receive credit.

Hear from Honors Sociology/Criminology student Mia Kern about her internship experience this year:

"This past year I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to intern at the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The project I worked on focuses on the re-entry of released inmates into society through housing, education, and addiction treatment. Much of my work came from designing surveys and analyzing data; both skills that will be useful in many potential career opportunities. Lastly, it gave me the ability to make real-life applications of the coursework and make a positive impact in society." Mia's experience with an internship is just one example of the kinds of opportunities our students have as Sociology/Criminology majors!

Contact Cecilia Johnson for more information.

Criminal Justice Research Center Internships

The Criminal Justice Research Center (CJRC) helps to connect students to valuable internships that provide hand-on experience in conducting social science research. Some provide the opportunity to analyze primary and secondary data on offenders/offenses, victimization, mental health, youthful offenders, reentry, law enforcement and/or criminal justice processes. Others focus on the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data for measuring organizational and programmatic success, instruct students on developing and applying for funding, and provide education on the translation of research to shape public policy.  These internships are an outstanding opportunity for OSU undergraduates to gain valuable, practical experiences in preparation for graduate/professional school and future careers.  

The CJRC is committed to supporting students from diverse backgrounds who have a passion for social science research and a dedication to academic excellence.  We work to pair students with working professionals in agencies and organizations that are on the front line of addressing, measuring, and managing our most difficult contemporary social problems. 

Interns in the CJRC are typically junior or senior-level students with a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA who have honors status.  Because the placements are research- oriented, it is helpful though not required for students to have some prior research experience. The opportunity to earn academic credit is available. Due to the nature of the projects, most placements request a minimum of 10-15 hours per week.  Internship supervisors have indicated that some of the most successful students are those who are self-directed, highly motivated. and have a passion for the work of the agency in which they are placed. 

Potential internship announcements are made through the OSU Undergraduate Research Office, classroom announcements, the Sociology/Criminology Undergraduate Advising Office, the CJRC Newsletter, and the CJRC website.  Previously matched students’ majors include: Sociology, Criminology, Economics, Psychology, Actuarial Science, Math, Geography, Public Affairs, National Security Studies, International Studies, Political Science, History, English, Women’s Studies, Arabic, Spanish, French, Journalism, Social Work, and Pre-Law concentrations. 

For further information on the CJRC Undergraduate Internship Program, please contact: (Christopher Yanai, Program Manager (614) 688-8685, Email: Yanai.7@osu.edu)

Additional details here: CJRC Internship Program