Internship Guidelines

Internships offer real-life experiences and on the job training for students at Naropa University. Many of Naropa degree programs have internship requirements as a part of the curricular experience. Internships may be paid or unpaid, and students with accomodations through the Office of Disability Resources should consider the following when applying for internships.

Considering Internships

When considering internship options, consider:

• Academic requirements of your degree:
• Is internship experience a requirement of your degree? 
• Must the internship involve specific tasks or skills? 
• Future employment plans:
• How will this internship prepare you for your future employment?
• Internship expectations:
• What will a typical day look like?
• What tasks will you be responsible for?
• When will you be required to report to at the internship site?
• Financial needs: 
• Are you financially able to take an unpaid internship?
• Time requirements: 
• Do you have enough time to dedicate to the amount of hours the internship requires
• Your personal learning goals: 
• What learning goals are you planning to get out of the internship? 
• What do you need to learn to be marketable in your field?

Start Early

Most of the academic programs at Naropa University require that you find an internship on your own. Think about how much assistance you will need in finding and applying for an internship. Your academic advisor may have a list of possible internship possibilities, but you should also visit career services to see what resources they might have to place you in an internship.

Make an Appointment with your Academic Advisor/Faculty Member

Make an appointment with your advisor or faculty member to discuss internship opportunities and program requirements.

Communicate your Needs

Communicate your needs to the career counselor, internship placement site, and Disability Resources Office early in the application process. The Office of Disability Resources will be able to assist you as you coordinate accomodations with the internship site, and may be able to provide auxiliary aides, interpreters, captionists, etc depending on your degree requirements and the internship site.

If accomodations are not to be provided by Naropa University, the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) may be able to assist you. The process to become registered with DVR may take some time, so start the process well in advance of your internship.

Be your own Advocate

Inform your internship supervisor if you have any needs that aren’t being met once the internship has started.

Contact Information

Naropa Career and Community Engagement: Visit the MyNaropa page to make an appointment with a career counselor. Career and Community Engagement can help you:

• Explore your interests, values, skills and talents
• Identify potential academic and career paths
• Identify and engage in service and volunteer opportunities
• Develop internship and job search strategies
• Plan graduate school or other educational application process
• Learn to write effective cover letters and resumes
• Prepare for the interview process

Office of Disability Resources: If an internship is a degree requirement, the Office of Disability Resources will ensure that you have the appropriate accomodations needed to be successful. Email Kristen Tully at ktully@naropa.edu or 303-245-4749.

Department of Vocational Rehabilitation: If an internship is not a degree requirement and you need accomodations that the internship site is not able to pay for, the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation may be able to help. Contact Jeff Sidders at jeff.sidders@state.co.us or 303-776-6587 to schedule an appointment with a DVR counselor.