Internships are an essential part of your academic and career journey. At Southwestern college we combine workplace experience with academic credit, **and you even get a $750 stipend!** To succeed, you must: # 1. Sign up for The Internship Class To earn graduation credits and meet the academic requirements of an internship, enroll in the appropriate course based on your academic status. - **FTMA 290**: First-semester internship course. - **FTMA 291**: Second-semester internship course. # 2. Be in Regular Contact with Your Internship Instructor Your 290 instructor will either be Professor Peter Maxwell or Professor Richard "Brock" Scott. You can get in touch with them here: - [Professor Peter Maxwell](https://go.swccd.edu/contact/person/dea8b74bdb7fa6005e33f8fdae9619d7) - [Professor Richard "Brock" Scott](https://go.swccd.edu/contact/person/599439351ba0e110e253ece5624bcbb1) If you can't reach them, visit their office. If they're still unavailable, be proactive and speak with me. **** ## Beginning of Semester Check In ## End of Semester Check In ⚠️ **Stay on Top of Deadlines**: Ensure you register for the internship class promptly, as hours cannot be retroactively credited. Missing the enrollment deadline means you'll lose the opportunity to earn credit for the semester, and no late registration is allowed. This responsibility lies with you. # 3. Structuring Your Internship ## Securing a Workplace #### External Internships Gaining experience outside of the studio is highly recommended. It allows you to step out of the school environment and gain real-world confidence. Many students begin with an internal studio internship and transition to an external internship for broader exposure. ##### Where to Find Internships 1. **[[Using Handshake|Handshake]]**: Explore opportunities on the college’s job platform. 2. **Faculty**: Speak with professors to find lab assistant positions or related roles. #### Studio Internships For those starting out or seeking a structured studio environment, a studio internship is an excellent choice. - **Fall & Spring Hours**: Generally, **Monday & Wednesday**: 10 AM - 4 PM, **Tuesday & Thursday**: 9 AM - 9 PM (subject to change). - **Summer Hours**: Typically **Monday-Thursday**: 8 AM - 4 PM. - **Morning Maintenance**: We prioritize maintenance tasks in the early hours, so arriving early is highly encouraged. More information is found on the dedicated [[Recording Studio Internship ]]page. ## Paid vs. Unpaid Internships - Both paid and unpaid internships are eligible for the stipend. - Unpaid internships, such as the **SWC Recording Studio** or those within the FTMA Studio, are a common option. - If you do a paid internship, you'll need to complete more internship hours in order to earn the same amount of academic credit. ## Units #### Unpaid Internship - **Units and Hours**: - 120 hours = 2 units - 180 hours = 3 units - 240 hours = 4 units - **Stipend**: A one-time $750 stipend is available for both paid and unpaid internships. - **Relevance**: Choose an internship that aligns with your career goals. #### Paid Internships ## Internship Timeframe You have the flexibility to allocate your hours throughout the semester as you see fit. Many students choose to complete the Recording Arts Internship while enrolled in RA&T 121 or RA&T 122, using the skills and knowledge from these courses to enhance their internship experience. ## Conducting Multiple Internships You can distribute academic internship hours across multiple internships to gain broader experience. For instance, if you're interning at an event like COMICON that lasts just one week, you might need to complete additional hours with other internships.