Find Internships

Internship FAQ’s:

• What type of internships does UVM offer?
• What kind would be best for me?
• How do I find an internship?
• How do I get started on the process?
• Paid or unpaid? Credit or not? What are the considerations?
• Can I create my own internship?
• Do I need to do my internship in Burlington?
• What should I do if I experience harassment in an internship?
• Where have others done internships?

Credit Bearing Options

Academic major-related: If your internship work is closely related to your academic major, and your department offers credit for internships through a course or an independent study, you can obtain major credit for your internship and the academic work associated with it.   Consult the Guide to Experiential Learning in the Career Services Library for  Internship contacts and requirements within each department. Many departments offer internship credits; some do not. It’s important to check the specific requirements and options for your major.

Service Learning Internship Course, EDSS 239: This course offers an opportunity to provide community service in conjunction with academic reflection, and earn credit for doing so. Positions are primarily in non-profit agencies and may be local, national or international. The course is offered in the fall, spring and summer for elective credit for students of all majors. Students may enroll for 1-12 credits, depending upon number of hours worked, and number of readings and writings completed. Students eligible for work-study may use work study funds.  Curious? Check out the process for enrolling in EDSS 239.

CDAE 196: This 3-credit course is offered through CDAE and offers an opportunity to earn credit for work in either the non-profit or for-profit sector. Students from all majors may enroll for elective credit. For more information, contact the instructor, Charlie Ferreira in CDAE, cferreir@uvm.edu.

Not-for Credit Options

Some students may wish to do internships, not for credit, but simply to gain career-related experience. These internships may offer college learning level projects and a chance to test the waters of a career and develop professional skills. As with credit-bearing internships, they may be paid or volunteer and can be completed locally, nationally or internationally.

What kind of internship would be best for me?

Some questions to ask yourself are: What organizations or companies interest me? What skills to I hope to learn? What career area do I hope to explore and gain skills in? Do I want or need credit? In my major or elective? Is pay essential?

• Considering an internship in a non-profit, and wanting to earn credit for it? The service-learning internship class, EDSS 239, links readings and reflections about community and global issues with the internship, making it possible to earn between 1-12 elective credits, depending upon hours worked and readings and essays completed.
• Thinking about an internship in the for-profit sector? It may make sense to complete an academic internship through your academic department, working with a faculty advisor, and completing work assigned through an independent study course. If it appears you cannot receive credit through your major, you may want to check out CDAE 196.
• Not sure that credits are necessary, but really wanting the experience? A non-credit internship may be just the thing. We can help you locate career internships to test the waters and gain professional skills.

How do I find an internship?

• Use your "network" of family, friends, classmates, faculty, former employers, and others to help you with ideas for possible internships.
• Meet with Career Services staff to develop a strategy for identifying and applying for potential internships.
• Consult the resources available in the Career Library and the many websites and resources mentioned on this page.
• Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your interest in finding an internship in your area of interest.
• Many departments post internships specific to their majors. Check to see if your department does this.

How do I get started on the process?

• Plan to attend an informational session in Career Services, or schedule an appointment, or stop in for Drop-Ins, to get started.
• Check with your academic advisor to see if an internship makes sense in terms of your overall degree plan. Do you need credits? What kind?
• Prepare a resume –employers may ask you to send it.
• Investigate 2-5 sponsoring employers or agencies.
• If you are planning to earn credit, complete all the steps for enrolling in the appropriate class before starting the internship!

Credit or not? Paid or unpaid? What should I consider?

Internships may be paid or unpaid and, in many cases, you can earn academic credit in relationship to the experience.

• Explore all of your options before reaching a decision regarding the type of internship best suited to your needs. Some of the best internships are not paid but may provide a wonderful experience. Others may offer a small stipend or an hourly wage.
• If you have been awarded federal work-study dollars as part of your financial aid package, some non-profit internship can be reimbursed through the work study award.
• Earning credits for an internship is dependent upon registering (and paying) for those credits.
• Credit cannot be awarded for work already completed, so be sure to work out credit arrangements in advance of beginning your internship.
• Credit-bearing internships have an academic component, so be sure to budget time for the reading and writing that will be part of a credit-bearing internship.

Can I create my own internship?

Yes! Many of the best internships are those you create yourself through active outreach.

• Consider the type of work you are seeking and identify the organizations that might perform that type of work. Contact them to explore the possibility of setting up an internship.
• Explore the University of Vermont Career Connection on LinkedIn, a group that gathers alumni and friends of the university in supporting the career development of current students and fellow UVM'ers. See if there might be alumni you would like to approach for an informational interview and discussions about possible internships at their companies or organizations. Meet with a Career Services staff member if you need help, we may be able to link you with an employer or alum. Sometimes the best opportunities are those you create yourself.

Do I need to do my internship in Burlington?

No! While there are many excellent opportunities in Burlington, ranging from marketing to social services, from finance to organic farming, there are other possibilities throughout New England, the United States and even internationally. International internships are usually difficult to locate, and may involve program participation and significant costs, but may be possible. Excellent internships throughout most of the United States can be found using Career Library resources, internet resources and our own UVM alumni network. The trick is to get started on this broader search early — usually starting in the fall before the summer you wish to intern.

What should I do if I experience harassment in an internship?

UVM Career Services strives to create an excellent internship experience for all participating students.  A successful internship requires, in large part, a positive working and learning environment.  Accordingly, UVM will not tolerate discrimination or harassment from employers providing internship opportunities.  If any student believes that s/he has been harassed or discriminated against in an internship, they are strongly encouraged to report their concerns immediately to UVM's Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity as well as to Pamela Gardner, Director of Career Services .  It is critical that students let us know when there is a problem so that we can continue to support students having a successful experience.

If, in the determination of the University, there are reasonable grounds to believe that an employer or individual has discriminated against a UVM student, that employer or individual may be barred from further participation in UVM–supported internship programs.

Last modified May 09 2013 03:56 PM