How to Find the Right Internship for You
Finding the right internship for you takes a little planning, but we're here to help. IUP has plenty of sites already lined up - places that have had IUP interns in the past and are eager for more. Trying for somewhere new? We can help with that, too. Internships are one form of experiential learning. Depending on your major and career goals, you may also gain valuable experience through undergraduate research, service-learning, clinical experiences, practica, student teaching, cooperative education (co-ops), field experiences, job shadowing, leadership roles, or project-based learning.
Explore Your Options
- Start thinking about it early (i.e., because many employers recruit well in advance, you should begin applying for summer internships during the fall semester preceding the summer you plan to intern). Think about the direction you want your career to go and aim for an internship that puts you on that path.
- Talk with your advisor, professors, and the staff at the Career and Professional Development Center to learn about options that fit your goals and any possible funding sources to support your internship.
- You can also look for internships on Handshake or consider Parker Dewey micro internships, which are paid opportunities that can be completed year-round. Other places to search for internships/experiential learning opportunities include: company websites, professional associations, government internship programs, nonprofit organizations, upcoming campus career fairs/meetups/recruiting events, Indeed/LinkedIn and other job/internship sites, and of course, through networking with alumni, faculty, employers, and other contacts such as family members and friends.
- Feel free to dream big. Our students win highly competitive internships like communications media major Joshua Nixon, one of 20 students selected nationwide for a summer internship in Washington, D.C. through The Washington Center's Veterans Employment Trajectory (VET) Initiative. The Washington Center (TWC) Academic Internship Program is a wonderful opportunity made available to IUP students. If you’re interested in exploring TWC, you can visit their website and also schedule an appointment with the CPDC.
Earn for Credit
- Decide if you want to take the internship for college credit or as non-credit. Talk to the Financial Aid office if you have questions about how those options impact your aid and how financial aid could help you to fund your internship.
- Check with your advisor and the academic department office for your major about any internship guidelines you must follow.
Prepare for Success
- The Career and Professional Development Center can help you with preparing for internship interviews and writing a professional résumé and cover letter as well as developing your list of references.
- Watch out for application deadlines and forms for the internship sites and for IUP.
- Apply for several internship options. Try not to focus on just your first choice. Your third choice may turn out to be a fantastic opportunity that leads to a job!
- If you’re an international student, you’ll need to ensure you meet work authorization requirements. The IUP Office of International Education can provide the best guidance in this regard.
Past Internship Highlights
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Would you like to be featured on IUP’s social media channels during your internship?
NOTE: Be cautious of internship scams. Never pay to apply for an internship, share sensitive financial information before being hired, or accept offers without verifying the employer. If something seems suspicious, contact the Career and Professional Development Center.
