Internships

Participate in internships and experiential learning opportunities to gain hands-on professional experience in industries or roles of potential interest.

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“An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge with theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional workplace setting.” National Association of Colleges and Employers

Albers encourages students to do internships because they provide the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience, develop social capital, explore careers, and make connections in professional fields. 8 out of 10 employers say internships give the best ROI as a recruiting strategy.

In addition, there are many experiential learning opportunities that help you prepare for internships or supplement the internship experience.  

The Albers Career Center is here to help you be successful in your internship search and experiential programs. Learn more below.

Internships Overview

For a comprehensive definition and overview of internships, please refer to the NACE Guide to Internships.

Internships are available for undergraduate and graduate students.

Why do an internship?

  • It allows you to gain practical experience in your field(s) of interest and assess what you like and don’t like.
  • It also allows you to find out about a company's culture, if your values are compatible, and to determine if you would like to work there or somewhere similar in the future.
  • It allows you to make connections and build your network.
  • It could potentially lead to a full time job offer after graduation. 

 

It is strongly recommended that ALL students complete at least one internship prior to graduation. Most undergraduate students do an internship during their junior or senior year although earlier is definitely an advantage so you can do multiple internships. Graduate students can do an internship any time during their degree.

Students work alongside professionals at the organization and are mentored by supervisors. Often students are assigned to work on special projects that allow them to put into practice the concepts and theories learned in the classroom. The level of responsibility given to an intern surprises many students. This opportunity offers much more than a part-time job. 

What is done during an internship will vary based on the amount of experience you bring to the internship, and your willingness to take on added responsibilities. The assignments vary from internship to internship, but you are encouraged to take on more challenges and responsibilities during each internship. 

 

Plan early and start early. Be sure that you have a strong resume and are ready to apply, as some internships are only open for a very short time. Internships with some of the larger employers are recruited for very early in the year, so investigate the hiring process of the companies where you are most interested in interning.

  • Search Handshake and LinkedIn for internship opportunities as well as company websites. Apply according to the company’s instructions.
  • Talk with classmates and peers about where they’ve interned and ask for their advice or help with the process.
  • Make an appointment with the Albers Career Center to receive guidance on the internship search process and advice on your resume, cover letter and interviewing (acc@seattleu.edu).

Sometimes it is helpful or necessary for students to enroll in credit for their internship. If you have questions about or need help with the internship for credit process, please contact the Albers Career Center at acc@seattleu.edu.

Find Internships on Handshake

There are over several hundred internships posted on Handshake at any given time. Handshake is only for colleges/universities so recruiters utilize it often for campus recruiting. Let Handshake help you find your next great opportunity!

What is Experiential Learning?

In a nutshell, “Experiential Learning” is learning by doing. It is learning something new (a task, skill, etc.) through an experience such as doing a job, working on a research project, completing a case study, and a variety of other methods. It is also a great way to gain valuable experience and develop skills outside of the traditional summer internship experience. Below are a few resources to consider and explore to gain new skills and hopefully learn about the industry in which you want to work.

Please note that most of the resources included below are 3rd party vendors. We recommend you do your own due diligence regarding how they use the data you provide when registering for their services.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Woman studying at a library table with books and papers.

Micro-Internships

Short-term, project-based assignments that offer students the opportunity to gain career experience in a flexible manner and get paid. Check out our partner Parker Dewey for more information and to search for opportunities.

Person working on a laptop at a coffee table with a cup of coffee and a pastry.

Virtual Work Experiences

Forage provides 5-6 hour virtual work experience programs that give students a genuine career advantage with the world’s top companies. Access free, online employer-designed work experiences that give you insight into specific roles and industries.

Business Plan Competition finalist presenting to judges

Business Case & Plan Experiences

Work on real-world business problems to build hands-on knowledge and skills. Albers a wide array of business plan experience and competitions to help you apply what you what in the classroom to real-world scenarios. Check out SU’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center to learn more.

Additional Experiential Learning Opportunities