Internships are a great way for you to try out different career fields and industries while gaining new skills and building your personal network. You can complete one or more internships anytime throughout your experience at KU, and there are plenty of opportunities available for you locally, nationally, and even internationally. Reference the KU Successful Job Search Booklet for more information.
What is an Internship
Internships are work-based learning experiences related to your career journey and are an impactful part of helping you achieve your goals and jump-start your future. Internships can be part-time or full-time, paid or unpaid. One important element that distinguishes an internship from a short-term job is the set of intentional learning objectives that the intern brings to the experience and the employer provides.
Qualities of an Internship
- Expectations and learning objectives are clear
- Formal and informal evaluations regularly occur
- It’s a true learning experience for you, the student
- Appropriate training and supervision is provided
- Compensation is clearly defined upfront: documentation from the U.S. Department of Labor
Find an Internship
- Define Your Goals and Preferences. Outline your career goals, preferred industries, and types of roles you are interested in. Defining your goals will help target your search.
- Utilize Resources. Take advantage of career services, job boards, alumni networks, and on-campus events. See below for resources that can provide valuable search platforms and networking opportunities.
- Network Actively. Build and maintain professional relationships with professors, classmates, alumni, and professionals in your field of interest. Consider joining LinkedIn and KUmentoring+ for networking opportunities.
