Internships

An internship is a professional learning experience offering meaningful and practical work for a specific period. Many internship positions are paid, but not all.

You can complete an internship as early as you would like. To earn course credit for an internship, you must have completed at least 60 credits of coursework, but any internships you complete earlier in your undergraduate years are still great experiences!

Internship positions usually have a duration of one academic semester or span the summer, but some last longer and lead to a full-time job.

During your internship, you will gain hands-on experience in a specific career or field that interests you. This exposure will allow you to learn what you may or may not like about that possible career. Internships also help you build a professional network that can assist you in your job search. You will start to gain job-specific skills, and most importantly, you will become more confident in your own abilities and knowledge.

Internships postings are often listed on individual organizations’ websites, so research the companies around you to find some that interest you or have departments related to your major and check the Employment page on their website. Handshake, LinkedIn, and Indeed are other great sites if you’d like to make a broader internship search.

Career Services recommends using Handshake to locate internships since employers work directly with staff to post internship positions.

The application and interview process for a non-credit internship is similar to the job application process. You will prepare a resume and cover letter as part of your application. Then, you will likely have several rounds of interviews, which could be in person, on the phone, or virtual. Career Services can assist you with your resume, cover letter, application, and interview preparation.

Students completing an internship for course credit need to register for the specific internship course within their major and meet with a member of the Career Services staff to ensure requirements are met. The staff member can assist with the internship search, application, and any other necessary paperwork or preparation.

Once an internship is secured, the student must submit their internship to Handshake for approval. They can contact the Campus Internship Coordinator in Career Services or review the steps to submit an internship experience through Handshake. Once submitted, the Campus Internship Coordinator, internship site supervisor, and course instructor must approve the internship in Handshake after reviewing the student’s submission. The submission and approval are due before the term begins.

Specific majors require an internship experience for graduation. Students should work with their academic advisor to confirm graduation requirements for their intended major(s).

A micro-internship is a short-term, often paid, professional assignment within a specific field. The assignment, which is usually limited in scope, enables a student to learn and demonstrate skills, explore career paths, and build a professional network. Micro-internships are beneficial for all students and a great option for students who are looking to prepare for their full-time for-credit internship junior or senior year.

Aurora University students can find short-term, professional, paid work experiences through Parker Dewey Micro-Internships. Click here to learn more about micro-internships.

Certain majors require an internship for credit, which results in a student earning academic credit and a grade for the internship experience. Earning credit for an internship does not prevent the student from the opportunity to receive compensation for their intern work.

Students completing an internship for course credit need to register for the specific internship course within their major and meet with a member of the Career Services staff to ensure requirements are met. The staff member can assist with the internship search, application, and any other necessary paperwork or preparation.

Once an internship is secured, the student must submit their internship to Handshake for approval. They can contact the Campus Internship Coordinator in Career Services or review the steps to submit an internship through Handshake. Once submitted, the Campus Internship Coordinator, internship site supervisor, and course instructor must approve the internship in Handshake after reviewing the student’s submission. The submission and approval are due before the term begins.

Internships are not to be confused with required clinicals, placements, or practicums associated with nursing, social work, education, or athletic training programs. These internships are handled directly by the academic departments.

Separately, students can participate in a non-credit internship to gain experience, try out a career, or build their resume. Non-credit internships may or may not be paid, but they are still a beneficial experience for any student’s career path. Career Services staff are available to help students find and apply for non-credit internships.

Career Services is here to help. To schedule a one-on-one appointment in person or via Zoom, visit Handshake and request an appointment. Alumni can email internships@aurora.edu or call 630-844-5403.