Internships are temporary positions in industry, government agencies, or universities designed to provide on-the-job experience. Typically, internships last about 3 months and are scheduled during summers. Some food companies offer more extended internships that may last for a summer plus a fall or spring semester. These longer experiences may be called co-op or work-study programs.

Summer internships normally involve working with regular employees of the organization. Usually, interns will be assigned a project and will be expected to prepare and present a written and/or oral progress report at the end of the summer. Interns receive a salary for their work but do not earn academic credit.

Co-op or work study programs are individually tailored to meet the objectives of the student and the sponsoring organization. Interested students should work with their advisor to make arrangements with the sponsoring organization and to plan course schedules to accommodate courses missed during the semester away. Usually, students are paid a salary for their work. Students may also earn up to 6 semester credits for independent study completed during the co-op experience but students may not earn a salary and academic credit for the same work. Students must still meet all College and Department graduation requirements. While it is possible to complete a co-op experience and still graduate in the usual 4 years, co-op students may need to register for an additional semester to make up courses missed during the semester away. This would add up to 8 semesters in residence at Cornell plus 1 semester off campus.

Announcements for internships and co-op programs are usually received in the office of the Chair of the Department of Food Science. The chairman’s office publicizes the openings through flyers placed on the job board, in the job notebook (located in 115 Stocking Hall) or by e-mail. Most internships require a resume to be sent electronically to the Career Development Office http://www.cals.cornell.edu/oap/careers/. Students should check with Denise Czimback in 114 Stocking Hall for additional information on internships.

A successful internship or co-op experience requires careful planning. Students interested in these experiences should meet with their faculty advisor as early as possible to discuss goals, opportunities, and planning. In cases where credit will be earned, a prior contractual arrangement between student and a Cornell professor must be established. Cornell faculty must be involved if Cornell credit is to be granted. No credit will be given for past work experience without this prior contractual arrangement.

Faculty, staff, and industry representatives are more than willing to assist students with securing and planning internship or co-op experiences. However, students are expected to take the initiative and assume responsibility for their individual program.

The following companies have recently contacted the Department to offer summer internships to food science students:

• Pepsi
• Frito-Lay, Inc.
• General Mills, Inc.
• Kraft Foods
• Gorton’s
• Unilever
• National Starch & Chemical Co.
• Cadbury Schweppes
• International Food Network
• Pepperidge Farm
• Nestle USA
• Rich Products
• Wegmans Food Markets
• Conagra
• Taco Bell