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Ultimate guide to finding an internship

Whether students are almost ready to graduate or simply want to get a jumpstart on learning the basics of working in a professional environment, UW-Whitewater offers excellent internship opportunities for undergraduate students.

Internships are career-related work experiences that emphasize the student working in a professional setting under the supervision of a professional in the field. Students participating in internships gain valuable professional workplace skills and improve their marketability. UW-Whitewater's Career and Leadership Development office dedicates itself to helping students develop their own personal career paths through these opportunities.

Internships can be done by all college students but are more geared toward junior- or senior-level students. By the junior or senior level, students have enough coursework and experience to take on an internship. "Students can prepare for an internship by beginning their search three semesters before," said Internship Coordinator Laura Jacobs. "They can begin by getting their resume and cover letter set. They may then want to seek out ways to get involved on campus to lay the foundation for the technical search."

At their core, internships give people career-related experience. Employers look for people who have worked in the field before, and internships can give students that edge. Further, internships help build the student's network, and some may even offer academic credit.

"Internships offer students a way to meet people and build relationships," Jacobs said. "Come time to find a full-time job, students have an increased chance of finding a position."

There are several types of internships that students can pursue. Students have the chance to do a more general career development internship or a more specific academic internship.

A career development internship allows the student to gain work experience related specifically to his or her career goal. This experience can be local, state, regional or international and can be general or specific to the student's major. A career development internship takes the necessity of a student's ‘major' out of the equation, however. The student is pursuing this opportunity on his or her own, and there is not an option for earning credit.

An academic internship gives the student an opportunity to have an internship experience, while earning academic credit. The student can register for this experience with the department directly related to his or her major. Most academic departments have internship options, so this is the best place to start the internship search. Further, the department will be able to tell the student about certain prerequisites, availability and placement.

There are also several specified programs that offer students the same internship opportunities. These programs include: the Hawk Internship Program (HIP), the Disney College Program (DCP) and the Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP) and a Washington Center program.

HIP provides career development internships that may or may not relate to undergraduate students' majors. The program, however, is geared to the student's working career goals and will make graduates more marketable in their future endeavors. Specifically, this program is geared toward UW-Whitewater and opportunities existing locally.

"The Career and Leadership Development office works closely with the employer, so the experience is much higher quality," Jacobs said.

DCP provides students with a unique education and work experience. They will work at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla. or at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. The student will work in lower entry jobs, yet they will gain very transferrable skills even if the job doesn't directly correspond with his or her major. Further, this program allows students to remain part of the UW-Whitewater system by registering for up to 12 credits.

"This way, students wanting to take part in the program will still have the option of maintaining full-time student status," Jacobs said.

WRP provides college students and recent graduates with disabilities the opportunity to connect with public and private sector employers nationwide. Students that apply to the program, though not guaranteed an internship position, are exposed to opportunities if they are out there. The student's name will be placed in a database after the interview process. Employers have the opportunity to look through this database as a resource to fill internship positions.

"Employees can either gain an internship experience or even a full-time position," Jacobs said.

The Washington Center program offers students a way to work and receive academic credit in Washington D.C. Programs are offered year-round, and the student is guaranteed a work experience here. The student will also have the opportunity to take classes by the Washington Center's faculty and staff. This program is connected with the political science department, and additional information can be obtained there.

"The students will have the unique experience of living and working in Washington D.C.," Jacobs said. "They will even have the opportunity to listen to prominent professionals working in the field."

Parents are highly encouraged to get involved with their student's internship journey. This experience is an investment in their child's future. Not taking advantage of this opportunity will limit prospects upon graduation.

"College degrees don't guarantee their student a job, but an internship is great exposure and a great way to increase the student's odds of getting a job," Jacobs said. "Parents should encourage their children to take advantage of these opportunities, and networks begin with the parents."

Students interested in finding an internship are encouraged to:

Summer is always an aggressive time to find an internship. There is an increased competition for summer positions, rather than during the academic year. By starting this process early and utilizing the resources available to students on campus, you can get that jumpstart on preparing for your future. Students' eager to pursue a summer internship, employers' recruitment process runs January through May.

For more detailed information about UW-Whitewater's internship opportunities and programs, visit http://www.uww.edu/internships/. Students and parents can also contact Laura Jacobs at 262-472-1606 or morrowl@uww.edu.