We're here to help.
Helping students pursue internships is getting easier by the day. On this page you will find all the information you need to guide students toward experiential opportunities in their field of interest. As always, reach out to Sophia Trigg (Program Director) or Kelly Smith (Program Coordinator) if you need assistance.
This webpage is a digital version of our printed Faculty Advising Guide. If you'd like a printed version, please let us know!
1. Explore the Options
Students should start by looking at the various options for internship format. CAS runs several programs that match students with internships (Communities of Practice, Semester for Impact, and our Boston & DC programs), but many students choose to pursue independent internships in the Burlington community and then enroll in credit. It all depends on the student's level of experience and area of interest.
Internship Programs (Sophomores +)
Communities of Practice
In the Communities of Practice program, interns work in a cohort model to build their skills while completing work in a professional setting for external organizations. Students are matched with internships after completing a matching quiz and discussion with faculty. Faculty are all industry professionals who currently work in their field of focus.
This program is a great option for students who have never had an internship before, or for those who are looking to enter a new field. Students earn 3 credits under course number CAS 2920. Sophomore standing required except in special circumstances. Learn more at go.uvm.edu/cop.
Community News Service
The Community News Service (CNS) is a student-powered partnership with local community papers and media outlets. More than a journalism program, CNS allows students of all majors to showcase their work in print while learning best practices surrounding research, fact-checking, community engagement, interviewing, and more.
Starting in Fall 2023, this program will be variable credit (1 credit = 2-3 hours of work per week) to allow students to fit it into their schedule under course number CAS 3922. Learn more on the Community News Service website.
Semester for Impact
Our partners at the College for Social Innovation are launching a new 15-credit program right here in Burlington! Students will be matched with a full-time (400 hour) internship in the local community related to social change and will take two academic courses alongside a national cohort of change leaders interning in Burlington, Boston, and around New England.
This program awards 15 credits and is ideal for students who want to make their internship the focus of their semester. Learn more on our Semester for Impact webpage.
Independent Internships (Sophomores +)
Many students choose to pursue internships independently of our managed programs--either around Burlington or in their hometowns during the summer. UVM also offers on-campus internships in various departments and offices that students can apply for via the Student Employment Office.
Independent internships typically last for a semester (or two) and students work on average 8-10 hours per week. Please see the Application Resources listed below for advice on applying to internships. Once a student lands an internship, they can enroll in credit via UVM (see below).
Since internships in the Burlington community are competetive, students who have a bit of prior experience (via a previous internship or other experiential learning activity) are more likely to land a position. Many students choose to do an independent internship after completing a Community of Practice internship, Service Learning course, or other mentored program.
Semester-Away Programs in Boston, NYC, or D.C. (Sophomores +)
Semester in the City:
This is a semester-long internship program located in Boston, Massachusetts open to students of all majors. Internships are focused on social change and nonprofits.
Students will receive 15 credits toward their degree. 9 of those credits are internship credits, 3 of them are elective academic credits (for the one course student's take while in Boston) and 3 are elective academic elective credits for guided professional development work. In some cases, with department position, students can count some of the academic credits toward their major.
The Washington Center:
This is a semester-long internship program located in Washington, D.C. open to students of all majors. Internship opportunities are varied and broad. UVM students have interned in for profits, media organizations, non profits, museums, government, law enforcement, and NGOs.
Students will receive 15 credits toward their degree (12 for the summer session). 9 of those credits are internship credits, 3 of them are elective academic credits (for the one evening course student's take while in D.C.) and 3 of them are academic elective credits for guided professional development work. The 3 academic elective credits for the students' evening courses are able to be counted toward the student's major with department permission.
Arts in Action:
The College of Arts & Sciences at UVM is offering a 15-credit, semester-long socially engaged experience in New York City with a focus on community, art and activism. Students will spend a semester interning in New York and gaining firsthand knowledge of the art world and arts in community. This program is for students that are interested in using the visual arts and the city of New York as a lens for exploring and understanding issues of inequality and the struggle for social justice. The program consists of a 3-day-per-week internship, professional development work and an academic course, Art and Activism. Students of all majors are invited to apply.
Students will receive 15 credits toward their degree. 9 of those credits are internship credits, 3 of them are elective academic credits (for the Art and Activism seminar) and 3 of them are academic elective credits for guided professional development work. In some cases, with department position, students can count some of the academic credits toward their major.
Micro-Internships (Juniors & Seniors)
Perfect for students who have a level of skill that would enable them to work completely independently on a short-term project. Different from a typical internship placement, micro-internships are more like freelancing and allow students to build up their resumes or portfolio. The UVM Micro-Internship Program identifies local startups, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations interested in connecting with UVM students who will contribute to their company's success.
Micro-internships typically last a few weeks and are all paid. They are generally done not-for-credit. Learn more on the Career Center's Micro-Internships page.
UVM Global Tech Experience
The University of Vermont has partnered with Podium Education to offer a 4-credit, online Global Tech Experience. In this program students will tackle real-world problems in a global context while learning an in-demand technology skill. Students will work with peers from over 40 countries on both asynchronous and synchronous coursework in one of four tracks: Digital Marketing, Coding for Web, Data Analytics, or Coding for Data. This program is ideal for the liberal arts student looking to add marketable skills to their repertoire!
Students will recieve 4 elective UVM credits toward their degree for completing this program under course number CAS 1990. The program runs fall, spring and summer. There is an $1,800 Program Fee associated with this program in the fall and spring terms. During the summer term, the $1,800 fee is lifted, but students must pay for 4 credits of summer tuition to participate.
2. Application Resources
Students pursuing independent internships can use these resources to apply for and land an internship.
Application Guide
Please direct students to our Application Guide that will walk them through the process of finding an internship external to one of our managed programs. If students need 1:1 help or need to update their materials (resume, cover letter, etc.) please have them make an appointment with the Career Center or direct them to drop-in hours. Alternately, faculty can submit a referral form for students who many need a bit of extra help.
If a student has no idea what they would like to do, they should look into joining an Interest Group via UVM Connect that will send them opportunities in their interest area and help them explore possible directions to pursue.
Navigating Anti-Blackness in the Internship Search
The Career Center has put together a helpful guide for students who are experiencing discriminiation while looking for internships or jobs and those who may be struggling with impostor syndrome.
3. Earning Credit
Students who have landed an independent internship should follow these guidelines for earning credit.
Elective Credit
For internships external to UVM, or with a UVM entity such as an academic department or administrative office, students should enroll in CAS 2991, CAS's elective internship course. This option is open to students regardless of whether their internship is related to their major or minor.
Students can enroll for 1 credit for every 40 hours they work at their internship across the semester. Please note that hours can only be counted between the first and last day of the semester in which the student is enrolled. For registration instructions and forms, see our credit information page.
Credit Toward a Major or Minor
If a student's internship is directly related to the subject matter of their major or minor, they may request internship credit from their department. Some departments run internship courses while others prefer to have students arrange credit with a specific faculty member. Still others may want the student to enroll in credit via CAS and then perform a degree audit exception to count the credit toward the major or minor requirements later. Students should be advised to speak with their department chair for more information.
If you've been asked to supervise internship credit for a student, please see our guide to offering internship credit.
Credit for a Completed Internship
If a student has completed their internship, but wants to get credit for it (either because they missed out on credit, didn't want to pay for summer tuition, or another reason), they may get credit via CAS 2991 B course. This course does not award credit for internship hours, but is instead focused on reflective work. It is only one credit and must be taken the semester immediately following the completed internship.
More information can be found on our internship credit information page.
4. Summer Internship Funding
The College of Arts & Sciences offers summer funding for students doing unpaid or underpaid internships. This money can help students spend more time interning by reducing the necessity of a part-time job. Please see the CAS Summer Internship Scholarship Program webpage for more information.
Students can reach out to the CAS Internship Team or Kristen Andrews in the Career Center for more information.
5. Setting Students up for Success
Once students have landed an internship or joined a program, consider sharing our intern resources with them. On this page you'll find pre-internship goal setting tips, during-internship inspiration, and post-internship advice.
If students run into an issue, concern, or negative situation during their internship, CAS Internship Program Director Sophia Trigg is available to help them navigate.
