“We believe that every student should have the opportunity to have at least one, if not multiple, internships during their time at UVM. Internships provide essential life skills, preparing students for the workplace and building the networks and skills they need to succeed.”
– William Falls, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Internship participation on the rise
Over the last seven years, the number of internships completed per year in the College of Arts and Sciences has nearly tripled from about 250 to more than 700. This is in part due to increased funding and the advent of new programs designed to reach all students.
Why do an internship?
Organizations that hire interns also create pipelines for new employees: A 2016 study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) showed that 72 percent of interns eventually received full-time job offers from the companies where they worked, and 85 percent of those offered positions accepted them.
Research indicates that students who have internships are more likely to find jobs and be paid more over the course of their careers. Studies also show that students with internship experiences have a better understanding of the world of work, receive more job offers and higher starting salaries, and secure full-time work earlier than those who have not engaged in an internship.
Personal and developmental growth
- Those who have interned, particularly at the early stages of career have a better understanding of the world of work.
- Internships are a type of High Impact Practice, which are a type of deep learning defined by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Internships allow students to explore an industry, gain skills, and make well-informed decisions regarding careers.
(Rothman and Sisman, 2016)
Faster job attainment
- Undergraduates with internship experience are viewed as better prepared and more marketable to employers.
- Studies have found that students with internship experience find jobs more quickly than those who have not interned.
(Carnevale, Smith, Melton, and Price, 2015; Gault, Leach, and Duey, 2010)
Starting salaries that are 28% higher
Georgetown's Center on Education and the Workforce has reported that students who have interned will earn a starting salary that is 28 percent higher than those who did not engage in an internship.
(Carnevale, Smith, Melton, and Price, 2015)
Higher job satisfaction and promotion rates
Students who have interned report enjoying a higher level of job satisfaction and a faster promotion rate to positions of increased responsibility than their non-intern counterparts.
(Gault, Leach, and Duey, 2010)
Nothing beats experience
There are literally hundreds of ways to put learning into action in an internship and prepare for a career ahead.
Internship programs and opportunitiesInternship Team
The College of Arts and Sciences Internship Team is ready and willing to help students craft their professional journeys at UVM.
Not sure where to start? Current students should check out the information listed on our Internship Program website. Additional questions can be sent to cas.internships@uvm.edu.
Sophia Trigg (she/her)
Internship and Experiential Learning Program Director
Oversees and provides leadership in implementation, and administration of CAS internship and experiential learning programs in support of College and University goals related to skills-based and high-impact learning.
Sophia Trigg is a Williston native and University of Vermont alum who has worked in education, news, libraries, museums, and advertising.
Kelly Smith (she/her)
Internship and Experiential Learning Program Coordinator
Coordinates operation of internship programs, provides information to students about earning credit for their experience, and supports students who are beginning their internship search.
Kelly Smith is from Wilder, Vermont and graduated from St. Michael's College. Kelly has a strong passion for the Liberal Arts and experiential learning.