Internships

Working in high quality paid internships is worth your time and effort:

Students who have completed internships have an average higher starting salary than those who did not intern
Students who have interned have a shorter full-time job search and get more job offers than non-interns
72.5% of employers say, "I prefer to hire candidates with relevant work experience"
60% of employers indicate they prefer experience to be gained from internships/co-ops
Internships and employment during college rose to the top of the list as the most heavily weighted attributes considered by employers
Employers made full-time offers to 64.8 percent of their interns
Internships help you build your resume, professionalism, industry knowledge and your contacts
Internships let you test drive a career to see if it is right for you
63% of college grads have completed at least one internship, and many do multiple internships

Based on data from NACE (National Associaton of Colleges and Employers)

How is an internship different than a job?
Criteria for an experience to be defined as an internship:
- The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
- The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
- The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
- There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
- There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
- There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
- There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.
- National Association of Colleges and Employers, July 2011
Finding an Internship

Finding the right internship for you requires research. Internships are posted on sites including Handshake, and featured at events including the Job & Internship Fair. If you have a specific organization in mind, go directly to their company website to look for potential internship offerings. Some employers may formally offer and publicize internships directly through your academic department. The Career Center also hosts the Job and Internship Fair each semester, bringing many employers who are ready to talk with prospective interns.

Not all internships are publicized! Some students will find it necessary to create their own internship by directly contacting employers of interest. Internships may also be found by using your network: LinkedIn, personal contacts, faculty, advisors and Career Center staff. Contact the Career Center if you need assistance in preparing a resume and approaching potential internship sites.
Academic Credit

It is up to the academic department to determine whether or not to award academic credit for an internship. If you are considering an internship, consult your academic advisor or your department’s internship faculty coordinator to see how it fits with your course of study.

State of North Carolina Internship Program

The state of North Carolina internship program offers over 100 PAID summer internships. Interns will engage in activities designed to broaden the intern’s perspective of public service and state government at various locations across the state. Interns work 40 hours a week for a 10-week period.

The application deadline is Monday, January 13, 2019.

There are numerous internship positions available during the summer at various state agencies located throughout North Carolina. Please come to the Career Center to get help with your resume, cover letter, and the application process. Career Center Drop-in hours are Monday-Friday 1:30pm to 4:00pm.

How to Apply

Applications will be submitted ONLINE only.

First, create your online account profile
Next, apply for any position listed through the online job application system. You may search the keyword "internship" to find postings easily. All postings will begin with, "State of NC Internship - ..."
Applications must be completed by Monday, January 13, 2020
click here to apply

Helpful Tips

Tailor Your Application to Each Specific Internship (UNCP Career Center can help with this during Drop-in Monday-Friday 1:30p.m.- 4:00p.m.)

Read the internship listing carefully. When you fill out the application be sure to highlight all the knowledge, skills and abilities/competencies that make you a strong fit for the position for which you are applying. Also make sure your cover letter(s) are tailored for the internship you are applying for.

 Proofread

Double check your application for spelling and grammatical errors before submitting. You do not want your application passed over because of typos. Use the spell checker on your computer and, if possible, have someone proof- read your application for errors. Another set of eyes can find things you missed.

Promote Your Strengths (UNCP Career Center can help with this during Drop-in Monday-Friday 1:30p.m.- 4:00p.m.)

The selection process is competitive. You are often competing against many other applicants. The best way to sell yourself is to focus on the strengths you possess and minimize any weaknesses. Be clear and concise about expressing your skills and experiences as they relate to the internship.

 Do Not Falsify Information

Be truthful about your work experience, education, and other information you provide on an application.

 Follow-Up

Don’t forget to mail required documents as instructed. Be sure not to forget to include customized cover letter(s), resume, and transcript (unofficial is ok).

Internships

State of North Carolina Internship Program

The application deadline is Monday, January 13, 2019.

How to Apply

Applications must be completed by Monday, January 13, 2020

click here to apply

Helpful Tips

Internship Opportunities by Industry

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke