Internships
Scholarships and Grants
Are you an employer? Find information about posting your internship for U.Va. students…
Definition of an Internship
Internships vary greatly from one organization to the next. However, the term traditionally refers to real-world work experiences in which students fill short-term positions within a company or organization to gain hands-on experience and develop career-specific skills. Sponsoring agencies generally work with the student to meet specific learning goals and provide special mentoring or networking opportunities. In exchange, the intern helps the employer meet overall work goals. Internships may be paid or unpaid, with or without academic credit, and are of varying lengths (a semester, a summer, a year, etc.).
Value of Interning
Internships provide an opportunity to gain valuable experience in a career field of interest. It is a great way to gain specific skills and knowledge, as well as make contacts and build confidence. More and more, employers are using work experiences as screening devices to assess the skills and abilities of prospective employees. Employers like to see that you have had some type of related experience before they consider you for a position. Having additional work experience before applying gives you an edge over other candidates in a competitive job market.
Internships also give you the opportunity to test out careers prior to graduation. An internship provides a more accurate picture of what individuals do in certain professions. Upon experiencing a particular job environment and seeing what it entails, you may decide it’s not for you. You then have the option to change your career plans and work to find a path that is a better match for your interests and skills. Career counselors at UCS can help you make this transition.
Interning Through the University
Although UCS does not provide academic credit and placement services for internships, we meet with hundreds of students each year who are seeking guidance in finding internships on their own. We also provide excellent print, online, and people resources to assist you with your search. If you have specific questions about receiving credit for your internship, please contact Carrie Rudder or Kate Mason.
If you would like academic credit for your internship experience, please visit the University Internship Program Web site, U.Va.’s only formal internship program. You may also work with a professor for independent study in conjunction with related work experience.
UCS Programs and Services
Internship Groups
Learn the basic steps involved in an internship and how to use all of the great resources at UCS. Register online through the UCS calendar.
Internship Notices
UCS receives numerous independent notices of internships from a diverse group of organizations throughout the country. ALL notices received through our office are posted online in CAVLink. These notices are posted specifically for U.Va. students and are only accessible through a password-protected site. All students seeking internships and jobs are directed to this service and encouraged to search it often for the most up-to-date listings as new postings are added every day.
Internship Advising
UCS provides individual counseling appointments as well as small group advising sessions.
Internship Career Day
This annual two-day event in February brings company representatives to U.Va. to discuss their internship opportunities with interested students. More information…
On-Grounds Interviewing (OGI)
Many internships in the corporate sector are obtained through OGI. For more information, please refer to the OGI Web page.
Jefferson Externship Program
An externship is a short term job shadowing experience (usually one week). Each extern experience is different depending on your interests, the career field, and the particular sponsor with whom you extern. All externships are unpaid and externs do not earn academic credit. Learn more about the Jefferson Externship Program.
