Internships and
Research Opportunities
Internships
The Economics Department participates in the University's
Internship Program, which allows students to spend a semester working
full- or part-time outside the classroom as part of their academic
experience. Internships are available with many firms and public
agencies in both Worcester and the Boston area. Students with an
interest in public policy issues have benefited from the internships
in federal agencies set up through the Washington Center Program of
the University's Internship Office. To qualify as an internship for economics
credit, the internship must build in some way on your previous or
current course work in economics. The administrative arrangements for
the internship are handled by the University's Internship Office, but in
order to get credit as an economics internship, it must be supervised
by an Economics Department faculty member.
An internship offers you an opportunity to explore career interests. Many
students focus their attention on financial services, but excellent
opportunities are available elsewhere that could ensure you more hands-on
experience. Students have used internships in the Boston Redevelopment
Authority, the Blackstone Valley and Worcester Chambers of Commerce, the Main
South Community Development Agency, and other organizations to gain first-hand
knowledge of economic issues and how they matter in a wide range of settings.
Internship credit does not ordinarily count as fulfilling one
of the ten economics courses required for the major. It may, however, be used to fulfill the requirement for related
courses. An exception to
this is a Washington internship on a regular Clark program with a
placement in an agency or department that has an orientation in
economics (e.g. the Treasury Dept., OMB, or a Congressional Committee
with economic responsibilities). If economics course credit is to be given, such an internship
must be approved in advance by the Department Chair.
Research
Advanced students in economics have many opportunities to carry out research as part of their capstone projects. Those completing honors theses may apply for the Harry B. and Alice N. Sheftel research grants for undergraduates, for which applications are typically completed in early October. The Sheftel research grants fund the expenses of acquiring data or other sources for the research, including the purchase of computer software, data sources, and research visits at local libraries.
The generous support of the National Science Foundation sometimes funds undergraduate participation in research. The experience of one senior, Melanie LaJoie, is provided in much more detail here.
The Summer Research Fund for Undergraduates provides help with with research-associated expenses to students undertaking research during the summer. Funds are also available for research assistantships from faculty grants.