Internships
UT Austin students have access to diverse experiential learning opportunities that complement your education with practical experiences and professional development.
Internships are the best ways to explore potential career paths, develop valuable skills, and increase your chances of employment after graduation. Students who benefit the most from internships are intentional with their planning. Explore the resources below to determine how to best approach internship participation.
Internships are professional work experiences related to your career interests. These structured experiences focus on student learning outcomes and professional development. They are designed to allow students to gain practical experience while taking courses toward their degree completion.
Internships:
- Involve meaningful job duties and projects that are similar to the responsibilities of full-time employees
- Have specific start and end dates and can be part-time or full-time
- Can be paid or unpaid, and can sometimes be counted or required for course credit
- Have a supervisor who is a professional in the field of the experience
- Occur in office environments, virtually, or a hybrid of both
Internship Advising
Schedule an appointment with Texas Career Engagement or with your college/school career center to learn more about internships, for help searching for internships, and for help with your application materials.
Searching for Internships
There are many resources to utilize when searching for an internship. View our job search page to learn more about how to make the most of your search.
Zero-Credit Internship Courses
Learn about the university’s tuition- and fee-free internship course available to all UT Austin undergraduate and graduate students.
Internship Funding
Learn about the Internship Fund, an initiative that provides funding opportunities for undergraduate students participating in unpaid and paid internship experiences.
Micro-Internships
Micro-internships are short-term, paid, professional assignments that are similar to those given to new hires or interns. These projects allow you to demonstrate job-related skills, explore career paths and build your professional network.
Benefits to Students
A survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) revealed that 70.4% of interns are offered a full-time position with the organization for which they interned. Along with the increased chance of receiving a full-time job offer, internships can help you:
- Confirm or reevaluate your intended career plans
- Identify professional likes and dislikes that will enable you to make informed career decisions
- Develop self-confidence and professionalism
- Gain the critical skills and experiences that employers are looking for
Are You Ready for an Internship?
Below are some areas to consider before you begin your internship search:
Career Interests: Determine an industry or area you would like to explore and gain skills in. Choose two or three of your top career interests before beginning your search. This will allow you to be more targeted with your search efforts.
Motivation and Goals: Why are you interested in an internship? What are your goals for participating in a career development experience? Asking yourself these questions can help you determine an experience that is best for you.
Readiness: Consider the most logical timeframe to have an internship. Remember your time commitments based on the number of courses you’re taking, student organization participation, other jobs, and your personal life. If you need help updating your resume, make an appointment with a career coach so that you are ready to apply to opportunities.
Evaluating Internship Positions
There are several questions to ask yourself when searching for and considering an internship:
- Is it relevant? Internships should be closely related to your career goals. Carefully read the job description to determine if the job duties are related to your career plan.
- What is the employer offering financially? Determine if the position is paid or unpaid. Some employers may assist you with the costs mentioned above.
- Are there any costs? Though it might be a paid internship, consider if there are living, transportation, course registration, or other expenses associated with the internship.
- What is the employer offering professionally? Consider the work environment and type of organization you want to work for. Choose an internship that you feel will provide you with the greatest overall experience.
- Can I earn credit? Meet with your academic advisor to discuss opportunities to earn academic credit for your internship. Some degrees have internship requirements, so be sure you know what those requirements are. You can also enroll in our zero-credit course so that your experience will appear on your transcript.
- Is this too good to be true? Be aware of fraudulent jobs. Review this guide to learn more on how to protect yourself from scams.