We encourage all of our students to have an internship prior to graduation. Many majors require an internship as part of the student's degree plan.
This year, more than 200 MICA undergraduate students participated in the for-credit internship program and many more students completed internships without opting to receive credit. MICA students participated in internships across the country and internationally, working in exciting and creative environments at some of the nations top companies, galleries and museums such as: ABC News, Adobe, American Film Institute, Baltimore Museum of Art, Donna Karan, Fairchild Publications, URBN, Firaxis Games, Martha Stewart, MTV Networks, National Geographic, Discovery, Pentagram, RTKL, Sesame Street, Smithsonian Institute and Kate Spade.
What Are the Benefits of Hosting an Intern?
Organizations and businesses can benefit from creative support and fresh perspectives. Professional artists can benefit from talented studio interns. Hosting interns can also be a cost-effective way to recruit, train and evaluate potential employees.
Requirements for Hosting a MICA Intern
Please read our Internship Supervisor Guide [p.d.f.] before accepting a MICA student as an intern. You should consider whether you are able to provide a structured environment in which an intern can complete meaningful tasks. Interns will require supervision and beneļ¬t from you sharing your professional knowledge with them.
Supervision
Like an employee, an intern requires supervision, training and guidance. There should be one person who is designated as the intern's supervisor. This supervisor should be more skilled in the specific type of work being completed by the intern and make themselves available to the intern to answer questions and provide feedback. The guidance of the supervisor is the key to a successful internship and why we require a supervisor to be present while the intern is working.
Meaningful Tasks
The hosting organization is expected to provide an educational experience within a professional setting, where a student may learn about professional practice in their field. Internships can sometimes include less than glamorous work, such as filing and other administrative tasks. MICA feels that internships can and should also include more meaningful work, where an intern's time is balanced between supporting an organization in meeting their goals and being educated within the field.
Environment and Resources
As an intern host, you will need to be able to provide a safe and professional setting for the student to work in. An internship sponsor is required to furnish an appropriate workstation, where an intern has access to the tools and resources necessary to complete their work. In an office setting, these resources may include a desk, computer and software. In a studio setting, this would mean working in a safe, well-ventilated area with access to emergency supplies and protective gear if necessary. The majority of the work done by the intern must be completed on site, not virtually.
Feedback
Be sure to make the time to regularly meet with your intern to ensure that they are remaining on track, and provide them with feedback. Since an internship is a learning experience, it is important to recognize your intern's strengths and weaknesses and provide constructive criticism over the course of their internship.
Steps for Sponsors to Take to Host an Intern
Continue to our Frequently Asked Questions for more information, and The Intern Hosting Process to learn how to publicize your internship opportunity.