Internships Overview

An internship work experience is intended to help you apply your formal classroom education to 'real world' work experience. The work assignment should be related to your area of interest and may be conducted within business or industry, the public or private sector, state, federal or local government, or social service agencies.

Any position that allows you to gain "meaningful" experience can be called an internship. Look for internships in fields where you already have interest as well as those you are considering. Additionally, remember that you can become more knowledgeable by working in related areas, not just in the specific area related to your major.

Traditionally, students participate in internships during the summer; however, internships can take place during the academic year or even during a specific season. While a valuable and meaningful internship doesn't have to meet specific time requirements, it should allow you adequate time to understand a process or acquire additional knowledge related to a particular career.

Anywhere you want! From Texas to North Dakota to California to Washington, D.C., there are experiences available everywhere. Don't limit yourself to familiar opportunities listed in books, newspapers, or the Internet. This is your opportunity to do some exploring and discover not only what it is that you want to do in your future, but also, what sort of environment suits you best. You should also pursue the types of organizations and industries in which you dream of working upon graduation.

Not only do you gain meaningful experiences that give strength to your résumé, but you also make significant relationships that could prove invaluable when searching for a full-time job in the future. Participating in an internship in your field of interest, even for a short time, allows you to gain first-hand experience. You can see if the field meets your expectations or if you might want to branch out in another direction. Consider it an audition for a career. You have not yet dedicated your entire life to this field, and, in most cases, there is time to make adjustments. It may also help you decide to charge ahead. Additionally, you have the opportunity to impress your supervisor with your skills. If you're a good match for the organization, you may land a future job offer. Some employers consider an internship as an extended interview. Others treat it as part of your training period. This could shorten the length of time before you are eligible for benefits once employed full-time. In another vein, you may make networking connections which might open doors for other internships in a different area or with a different organization. Most of all, you gather 'real world' experience to take back to the classroom.

It truly depends on your individual needs. There are many organizations that offer internship opportunities throughout the year, and others that may only offer summer opportunities. Many students enjoy focusing on their internship during the summer, while others feel it is best for them to pursue the opportunity during the Fall or Spring semesters. The good news is that once you have made this decision, Career Center can assist you in finding an opportunity that best fits your needs.

Not all internship opportunities are paid. Some employers may only offer to assist a student with fees associated with obtaining credit. Others may only be able to offer the experience without other compensation.

Yes. Internships are all about gaining experience in your chosen career field. Doing an internship will give you a competitive edge when it comes to your future job search. If you find that you cannot receive credit for the opportunity, you may still be able to receive Official University Recognition of your participation through the Academic Transcript Notation Program.

Not typically. You will want to contact your academic advisor for more information on obtaining credit.

Yes. However, there are typically restrictions on the number of hours you can receive for academic credit. If you are interested in academic credit for these opportunities, you will want to consult with your academic advisor for details.