iii. Internships and Related Experiences

Many employers value experience as much as they do education. Internships and similar fieldwork allow you to use what you’ve learned and, sometimes more importantly, see how things work “in the real world.” These experiences drive you to communicate with others in your field and help you understand the day-to-day challenges and opportunities of people working in similar areas. Even if the internship is not at a company or organization directly in your field of study, you’ll focus on gaining transferable skills that you can apply later on.

Photo by University of New Orleans

Speaking to career or academic counselors and planning your major will help you learn about internship requirements and recommendations. You’ll find out how, where, and when to apply, the level of commitment required, and any limitations or guidelines your college indicates. If you’re going to receive credit for your internship or fieldwork, it must be directly related to your field of study.

When you intern, you are usually treated like you work there full-time. It’s not just learning about the job; it’s doing the job, often similarly to an entry-level employee. The level of commitment may vary by the type of internship and may be negotiable based on your schedule. Be very clear about what’s required and what you can handle given your other commitments, because you want to leave a very good impression. (Internship managers are your top resource for employment references and letters of recommendation.)

Note that while internships and similar positions may seem to involve low-level work, you maintain your rights and should be treated properly. Getting coffee, organizing shelves, and copying papers are often part of the work. Your internship should be structured with duties, responsibilities, and goals for learning that are mutually agreed upon by both you and the internship site, as well as approved by an internship supervisor from your college or university. This will help ensure a positive and productive experience for both you and your internship sponsor.

Students who take internships generally report them to be worthwhile experiences. In a survey of students taken by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, approximately 75 percent of students responding to the survey said their professionalism/work ethic, teamwork/collaboration, and oral/written communication skills were “very” to “extremely” improved by their internship/coop experience, and 66 percent said the same of their critical thinking/problem-solving skills.

Internship and Experiential Learning Terminology

• Internship
  • A period of work experience in a professional organization, in which participants (interns) are exposed to and perform some of the tasks of actual employees.
  • Internships are usually a relatively high commitment and may be paid and/or result in college credit.

• Externship / Job Shadowing

  • Usually a briefer and lower-commitment experience than internships, in which participants are observing work activities and perhaps undertaking small projects.
  • Unpaid and not credit-bearing.
• Fieldwork
  • A period or trip to conduct research or participate in the “natural environment” of a discipline or profession.
  • Fieldwork may involve visiting a work site, such as a hospital or nursing home, or being a part of a team gathering data or information.
• Apprenticeship
  • A defined period of on-the-job training in which the student is formally doing the job and learning specific skills.
  • Unlike most internships, apprenticeships are usually formal requirements to attain a license or gain employment in skilled trades, and they are growing in use in health care, IT, transportation, and logistics.
• Undergraduate Research
  • Even as an undergrad, you may find opportunities to partake in actual research in your field of study.
  • Colleges often have strict guidelines on types and levels of participation, and you will likely need to apply.
  • The benefits include firsthand knowledge of a core academic activity and exposure to more people in your field.
• Related Employment
  • It may be possible to get a regular, low-level paying job directly in your field of study or in a related place of work.
  • While it’s not essential, simply being around the profession will better inform and prepare you.
• Clinicals, Student Teaching, and Related Experiences
  • Health care, education, and other fields often have specific requirements for clinicals (learning experience in health care facilities) or student teaching.
  • These are often components of the major and required for both graduation and licensure.
• Service Learning
  • Students learn educational standards through tackling real-life problems in their community.
  • Involvement could be hands-on, such as working in a homeless shelter.
  • Students could also tackle broad issues in an indirect manner, such as by solving a local environmental problem.

Interested in Perusing One of These Options? Talk to a UNO Faculty or Staff Member!

When film student Katie mentioned her career goals to a UNO faculty member, it led to an incredible opportunity—an internship on the set of CSI: New Orleans. Working alongside industry professionals gave her hands-on experience with production, lighting, and camera work, all of which are helping her move toward her dream of filming music videos. Her journey shows how faculty connections can lead to internships and hands-on experiences that can bring your career goals into focus. Watch the video below to hear her story.