DHE 410 Field Experience

Overview
Internship program requirements for all DHE majors
Program specific requirement
Professional internship sites

DHE Internship Program "A smart person once said, "You haven't truly learned something until it has changed you." "While reflecting on that statement, I do not even know where to start the list of evrything I have learned through my experiences as an intern. While most of my lessons involve my leadership and career path, I would be unappreciative if I forgot to mention everything I have learned about myself as a person as well. The past three months have probably been amoung the most challenging and rewarding moments of my young life." - Lacey Price, MM, Nordstrom

Field Experience Overview

The DHE Internship Program provides an exciting opportunity for DHE students to earn school credit for completing a professional industry internship experience. Our program is collaboration between the Department of Design and Human Environment, industry companies, and qualified junior and senior students who are majoring in one of our three areas: apparel design, merchandising management or interior design/housing studies. The internship program allows students to finally put what they’ve learned in the classroom to the test, and acquire even more skills that will prepare them for their future careers. Internship experiences allows students to learn how to set and achieve personal goals, what it means to be a professional in their field, and what they want in a future company/position.

To participate in the DHE Internship Program, students must be accepted into the program one year in advance to the summer term of participation. Students should submit applications during spring term of their sophomore or junior years. Once accepted into the program, students participate in DHE 400, "Field Experience Orientation and Development” the following Fall and Winter terms.

Students then enroll in DHE 410 - “Field Experience” where they complete an off campus internship with a participating company over summer term. Internship sites are determined by mutual agreement of the company personnel manager, the DHE Internship Coordinator, and the student. A variety of tasks assigned by the company provides the student with on-the-job experience. Special Note: It is up to the student to contact and secure their internship position; however the Internship Coordinator will provide contacts and network opportunities for the student.

Neil Kelly Internship During the employment period, supervision is directed by personnel in the employing company. Contact between the student and DHE Internship Coordinator is maintained by weekly written reports and a midterm seminar and/or on-site visits by the DHE Internship Coordinator when the student is located in a city within reasonable travel distance of the university. A workbook in which the student gathers information about the organization and operation of the participating company is completed during the summer term.

Evaluation of student performance is completed by the supervising personnel in the company and by the DHE Internship Coordinator. This is discussed with the student as an aid in career development. The DHE 410 course is graded on A-F basis. Twelve credit hours are earned during the term of participation which requires a total of 300 hours of work during the internship.

The program is elective and qualified juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for admission to the program. The application process begins during spring term, one year in advance prior to summer participation.

DHE Internship Program Requirements:

The following requirements must be met by spring term prior to the student’s summer internship. Applications however are turned in one year in advance prior to summer participation.

All DHE majors:

Must attain junior or senior standing.
Must achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (student below a 2.5 at the time of application can be accepted provisionally subject to attainment of the 2.5 by the term of participation).
Indicate long-range career plans and some understanding of the requirements for a career in specified major.
Show evidence of ability to assume leadership and responsibility and make mature decisions in coursework, previous jobs, and/or extra-curricular activities.
Indicate willingness to carry out all on-the-job assignments in a professional manner and to use individual initiative during the on-the-job experience.
Show ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
Show evidence of ability and desire to represent the University and DHE at a professional level.

Program Specific Requirements:

Apparel Design:

Accepted into the Professional Apparel Design program.
Must earn at least a C grade for DHE 321, Tech Drawing, Fashion Illustration and Design.
It is highly recommended that students also have completed DHE 327, Flat Pattern Design; and DHE 370, Textile and Apparel Market Analysis.

Interior Design/Housing Studies:

Accepted into the Professional Interior Design Program.
Must earn at least a C grade for DHE 287: Studio I.

Merchandising Management:

Must earn at least a C grade for DHE 370, Textile and Apparel Market Analysis.
Must earn at least a D- grade for BA 215, Fundamentals of Accounting.
It is highly recommended that students also have completed DHE 326 Sewn Products Analysis, DHE 470 Retail Merchandising, and BA 390 Marketing.