Internships: University Students Only?

Internships are often associated with college students, but they are not exclusively for them. Adults looking to change careers, re-entering the workforce, or facing long-term unemployment can benefit from internships, too. While most interns are college students, adults can also take on internships for similar reasons. Internships can be a great way to gain work experience, enhance your resume, and help you land a full-time job. They are also useful for exploring different career paths and building connections in your field.

Internships for high school students

Internships are a great way to gain experience and explore different career paths. While internships are often associated with college students, they are not exclusively for those in higher education. In fact, internships for high school students are becoming increasingly popular.

High school internships offer students the opportunity to gain practical work experience and develop valuable skills that will benefit them in their future studies and careers. These internships can be particularly beneficial for students who are interested in pursuing academic careers, as they provide a competitive edge in the college application process.

There are a variety of internships available for high school students across different fields, including science, engineering, technology, history, art, and business. Some internships are specifically designed for students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), such as the NASA High School Internship Program, which offers hands-on experiences in STEM fields and access to state-of-the-art technologies. Other examples include the US Senate Page Program, the Microsoft Discovery Program, and the New York Historical Society's Student Historian Internship Program.

The duration and requirements of high school internships vary depending on the program. Some internships are open to all high school students, while others have specific grade or age requirements. Many internships are paid, offering a stipend or an hourly salary, but there are also unpaid opportunities available.

High school students can benefit from internships by gaining valuable work experience, building connections, and exploring potential career paths. These opportunities can enhance their college applications and provide a strong foundation for their future endeavours.

In addition to the benefits for students, internships can also be advantageous for employers. Internships allow employers to attract talented individuals who are passionate about their industry and eager to learn and develop their skills.

Overall, internships for high school students provide a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience and make informed decisions about future education and career paths. They are a great way for students to explore their interests and discover new areas of interest.

Internships for unemployed adults

While internships are often associated with college students, they are not exclusively for this demographic. Internships can be a great opportunity for unemployed adults to gain experience in their industry of interest and get a feel for a new career path without a long-term commitment. They can also help to fill an employment gap in your resume and provide an opportunity to develop new skills and maintain existing ones.

There are a variety of internships available for unemployed adults, including part-time and full-time, paid and unpaid, and virtual and in-person. Some internships are specifically designed for unemployed individuals looking to re-enter the workforce, and others are aimed at recent graduates. Additionally, creating your own internship is an option if you can't find what you're looking for. Identify a problem or opportunity in your field and develop a project or initiative to address it. Then, find potential employers who can help you achieve your goals and contact them to discuss your project.

There are several ways to find internships as an unemployed adult:

• Reach out to your network, including friends, family, former coworkers and managers, professors, neighbours, and vendors or clients you have worked with. They may have leads on internship opportunities or know of companies that offer internships.
• Contact the career services department at your alma mater, as they often provide career advice and guidance to alumni.
• Join a professional association in your industry, which can provide networking opportunities and access to internship listings.
• Look for companies that offer internships specifically for individuals who have already graduated from college, such as Walt Disney, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, the CIA, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
• Apply directly to companies you are interested in working for, even if they don't advertise internship openings. Express your passion for the company and explain what unique qualifications you can bring to the organisation.

Internships for career changers

Internships are often associated with college students, but they are not only for students. Adults can also benefit from internships, especially those looking to change careers.

If you are considering a career change, an internship can help you understand an industry and decide if it is the right path for you. It can also help you get back into the swing of things if you have taken a break from the workforce, prevent gaps in your resume, and give you access to managers who make hiring decisions.

There are several ways to find an internship as a career changer. You can reach out to your network, including friends, family, former coworkers and managers, and professors. You can also contact career services at your alma mater, as you don't have to be an active student to take advantage of their resources. Joining a professional association can also help, as these groups often have access to internship opportunities.

Another option is to look for companies that offer internships specifically for individuals who have already graduated from college. For example, Disney and Disney-owned companies offer paid internships for recent graduates in various areas, including communications, marketing, entertainment, and biotechnology. Large tech companies such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft offer graduate internships in software development, engineering, data science, research, and design.

If you can't find an existing internship that fits your needs, you can even create your own internship program. This involves defining a project or initiative that addresses a problem or opportunity in your field of interest and then finding potential employers who can help you achieve your goals.

While it may be challenging to find an internship as a career changer, it is certainly possible and can be a great way to gain valuable experience and make connections in a new industry.

Internships for recent graduates

Internships are a great way to gain experience in your industry of interest and are not limited to current students. Many companies offer internships to recent graduates, allowing them to gain practical work experience, build their resumes, and explore different career paths.

There are several benefits to pursuing an internship as a recent graduate:

• Gaining work experience: Internships provide an opportunity to develop and refine skills and gain a better understanding of the industry.
• Networking: Internships allow you to meet professionals in your field, build relationships, and secure references for future job applications.
• Exploring career paths: If you are unsure about your career path, internships can help you figure out what you enjoy and are good at, allowing you to make more informed career decisions.
• Enhancing your resume: An internship can make your resume stand out to potential employers, demonstrating that you have practical experience in your field.
• Determine your needs: Reflect on your career goals, skills, and availability. Are you looking for a paid or unpaid internship? Can you commit to the schedule and time requirements?
• Research internship programs: Many companies, such as Walt Disney, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, offer graduate internships. Some organizations, like the CIA and NCI, even have exclusive programs for graduates.
• Leverage your network: Utilize your existing network, including former professors, classmates, alumni, friends, and family, to learn about potential internship opportunities.
• Contact career services: Your alma mater's career services office can provide resources, insights, and guidance on finding internships.
• Join professional associations: These groups often have access to internship opportunities and can help you grow your network and learn about industry updates.
• Create your own internship: If you can't find a suitable internship, you can take the initiative to create your own by identifying a problem or opportunity in your field and developing a project or initiative to address it.

Remember, internships are not just for current students. As a recent graduate, you can benefit from the valuable experience, connections, and enhanced employability that internships offer.

Internships for college credit

Internships are a great way to gain experience in your industry of interest. While most interns are indeed college students, internships are not only for active students. Adults can also benefit from taking on an internship for similar reasons as their college-aged counterparts. An adult may be able to negotiate a paid internship, while a college student may receive college credit instead of payment.

Some internship courses require students to actively reflect on their learning through writing journals or papers and readings. This allows students to critically think about the connections between the theory in their courses and the application in the workplace.

The number of credits will vary by school and program, but the internship will typically count as one class. Students can usually earn between one and six college credits after participating in an internship. For example, if one college class is worth three credits, a student may be able to earn three college credits for a summer, fall, or spring internship, whether it's on campus or off campus.

To receive college credit for an internship, students will likely have to meet certain guidelines for how many hours they must participate in the internship throughout the semester. For example, the University of Connecticut offers a one-credit internship course where students are required to work at the internship for at least five hours per week for at least six weeks. Students are also required to complete weekly assignments, mid-point and final evaluations, and a final project.

To earn college credit, students need to work with either the department for their major or the general campus career center to learn about and receive internship credit. The specific department within their major or the career center will likely require the employer to fill out paperwork before and after the internship. This paperwork will explain the role and responsibilities of the student during the internship, as well as document how the student performed during the semester or summer term.

Frequently asked questions