Internships provide real world experience - a key factor employers look for when hiring. Internships encourage you to apply your class knowledge to solve problems and contribute to an organization, develop transferable skills that you can use to compete for entry-level jobs, and expand your professional network. There is no substitute for experience, so the more experience you seek out through informational interviews, job shadowing, and internships, the more prepared you will be to compete for the jobs you want after graduation.
Finding an Internship
First Steps
- Make an appointment with Career and Professional Success
- Research past internship placements sites through your major or college
- Prepare a strong resume and cover letter
- Create a LinkedIn account to network and search for opportunities
Handshake
- Handshake is the online resource where employers post internships and entry-level jobs to actively recruit UNH students
- This is only one resource of many that you should be using in your search; be sure to connect with your academic department to see past internship sites and programs other students have attended
Upload Your Resume to Handshake
- Click on "Documents" under your name in the top right corner of your Handshake account and add a PDF or Word doc of your resume
Search for Internships
- Click on Jobs in the top navigation bar on Handshake
- Select the Internships filter
Additional Internship Programs through UNH
- Washington Center: Since 1976, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) has affiliated with The Washington Center (TWC), to offer internships and seminars in Washington DC. DC is home to hundreds of government agencies, major corporations, non-profit organizations, think tanks, advocacy groups, law firms, and more. There are countless internships and networking opportunities for all majors, including in the media, the arts, education, business, science, international affairs, the environment, healthcare, and much more
- Semester in the City
Get the Most from Your Experience
Stand Out
- Take the initiative to help out wherever you can and have a positive, can-do attitude to exceed expectations
- Many employers see internships as extended interviews and use them to find and develop new talent
- Be the best intern they have and you can increase your chances of an entry-level job with their organization
Stay Focused
- Don’t get distracted
- Stay away from social media or personal phone calls/texts while at your internship
- Remember to act professionally and take your work seriously
Pay Attention to Office Culture
- Be mindful of how things are done at the organization and stay within the "norm".
Dress Appropriately
- Make sure your clothing is appropriate for the environment
- The way you dress to attend class varies from a working environment
- Steer clear from low necklines, tank tops, shorts, flip-flops, and hats
Be Respectful of Others and Their Time
- Always remember to be polite when talking with others
- On occasion, small talk may be okay in office environments, but long chit-chats may not be
Develop Your Skills
- Dig into what you are working on
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions to learn more
- If you produce reports or any materials related to a project keep copies and include them in a portfolio to support your resume claims. Having something to show from your internship experience will help you in your job search.
Stay in Touch
- Stay in touch with the organization and its people for future opportunities within the company and for professional references
- Seek out additional ways you can contribute to the organization if you are interested in working there
Benefits of an Internship
Key Benefits
- Apply knowledge from the classroom to on the job situations
- Gain valuable related work experience and skills
- Explore potential careers in areas of your choice
- Get your foot in the door at a company or organization
- Network with professionals to build relationships
- Develop professional references
- Career exploration
- Higher salary
- Professional skill development
Types of Internships
Paid Internship
- Students receive an hourly wage (equivalent or greater than the NH state minimum wage)
Unpaid Internship
- Students will gain valuable knowledge, skills, and working experience to add to their resume
Internship for Academic Credit
- If you want academic credit for your internship, you will need to obtain a faculty sponsor from your major or minor department
- Fill out Earning Academic Credit for Internship Experience, a proposal outline that you can adapt and use when approaching potential faculty sponsors to seek their guidance and approval for academic credit
- Be prepared to answer their questions, especially when asked what your learning goals are and how the particular internship experience relates to your major area of study
- You and your faculty sponsor will complete the appropriate paperwork
- To be eligible for credit, the internship must relate to your academic major or minor
- Some departments have additional criteria that students must meet to be eligible for internship credit
- Academic credit internships generally begin and end on the semester schedule
- Just like a class, you will sign up for your internship through The Registrar's Office and pay for the credit hours earned
Interested in an internship with Career and Professional Success? Learn more
