How to Get Started

Internships are a form of experiential learning, typically 1 semester (3-4 months or 10-12 weeks), that are related to your academic major or career goals. Internships can also be called cooperative education, practicum, service learning, etc.

An internship, or experiential experience, is required in some degree programs, but even if it is not required, you can still complete an internship as well as receive course credit for it. If you are unsure if your academic program requires it, please contact us.

Internships are extremely valuable, and we encourage you to consider completing one.

We encourage you to meet with our Internships Office to receive assistance on searching for applying for internships. We can assist you from the early stages of where to begin looking all the way to helping you get hired!

To schedule an appointment:

• Log in to Handshake 
• Select Career Center on the top right
• Choose the Appointments box
• Click on Schedule a New Appointment
• Select Internship Search & Advising
• Find available appointment dates and times and schedule your appointment

Each student appointment typically lasts 20-30 minutes and is generally tailored to the student’s needs and experiences. Type of student appointments include, but are not limited to:

• Assistance with searching for internships
• Getting course credit for your internship
• Review of internship application materials
• Advice and suggestions for exploring majors
• Finding experiential experiences
• Assistance with finding shadowing opportunities
• General questions about internships and experiential opportunities

Depending on the appointment type, different things may need to be brought with you, such as your application materials if you are applying for internships, or completed forms for the internship course credit. We would also encourage you to have questions and/or talking points prepared to maximize your student appointment.

There is no minimum number of student appointments a student can have per semester. We encourage continuing to schedule appointments with us to maximize your experience.

Scheduling appointments with the Internships Office is free for all TWU students.

Yes, please visit our academic internship website for more information on receiving course credit for your internship.

According to NACE, internship is a “form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional workplace setting (across in-person, remote, or hybrid modalities).”

Some key qualities that make an internship successful include knowledge and skill learning that is transferable to other work settings, clearly defined goals aligned for the employer and student needs, and direct supervision by a professional with relevant expertise or professional experience. 

Experiential learning, or experience learning, is the process of learning by doing. This means taking your classroom experiences and knowledge and applying them in real-word and hands-on learning environments. Some examples include internships, research, volunteering, education abroad, or student leadership.

Reflect on what you hope to gain from a hands-on learning experience. Do you want to build on skills or gain new ones? Do you want to learn about different roles in your industry? Are you wanting experience to add to a resume?

• Brainstorm a list of skills, tasks, or companies in which you might want to focus on and use these as you begin your search in a more streamlined way.

Use all your resources. A great starting point is Handshake, but don’t be afraid to use Google, LinkedIn, and the many platforms available. Be sure to vet and be wary of any red flags as you search on the internet.

Make sure your resume is up to date before beginning your search. This will help you summarize your skills and experiences to brainstorm but also be a handy tool for networking with possible companies or opportunities. 

1. Notify references in advance so they are not caught off-guard and can prepare for a positive recommendation.
2. Before applying, make sure you are targeting your materials as much as possible and correctly address each role. Try to align your resume to each job you apply for focusing on the key skills and responsibilities.
3. Read the job description. Be sure to understand the responsibilities and qualifications required before applying.
4. Research the company beforehand and understand the mission, values, and services provided. Make sure you align with their goals and ask questions to clarify.
5. Be organized by using a system to help you track your submitted applications. Include details such as dates, deadlines, follow-ups, and materials submitted.

Volunteering is typically a short-term engagement with external organizations that aims to support the organization's goals and improve community outcomes.

Service learning focuses on academic learning with hands-on experiences that emphasize problem solving, teamwork, and critical thinking.

Highlighting these projects on a resume helps showcase practical experiences which many employers value as well as emphasizing the skills and contributions gained from the experience.

As you describe your experiences 1.) be sure to highlight specific skills used, 2.) clearly state your responsibilities, and 3.) use action verbs to convey tasks and achievements.

• It is recommended to prioritize quality over quantity as you describe projects. Consider the impact of the experience as you add to a resume.

Don’t be afraid to tailor your volunteer or learning descriptions to align with skills an employer may be looking for and quantify any major projects of achievements if possible.

Research can be in the form of projects, academic achievements, writing, or volunteer & community involvement.

Be sure to clearly describe your research with details about the role, research, and results. Specify if experiments were conducted and/or data was collected.

Highlight any achievements within your experiences including publications or presentations you may have done. This can also be where you quantify any results you may have.

Just like any job or internship experience, describe your responsibilities and tasks in the research using strong action verbs.

1. Identify your goals. Set learning outcomes with your supervisor and outline what you hope to learn and gain from the experience.
2. Become a team player. Approach projects with enthusiasm and think of ways you can contribute to the team. Don’t be afraid to share new ideas, and establish good working relationships across the team and other organizational areas.
3. Familiarize yourself. Learn the organization's policies, procedures, and code of conduct. Understand the office expectations as an intern including attire, communication methods, and how time off and breaks operate.
4. Find a mentor. Consider a supervisor, recent peer or graduate, or other employees who you can see advice and feedback from. Pick someone who you can connect with.
5. Schedule weekly meetings. Ask your supervisor for a regular meeting time in which you can clarify expectations and update your supervisor on progress. Be open to feedback and advice, and don’t hesitate to ask for additional meetings if needed.
6. Network and meet new people. Expand your connections by meeting full-time professionals in your field and get to know other interns. Join professional associations in your industry for additional opportunities to grow.
7. Reflect on your internship. Once you complete your internship, be sure to look back and consider all you have learned. What did you learn about yourself? Did you gain new skills or interests? Does this experience clarify your career goals? Once you reflect on these questions, think about what might be next for you.