Internships 101

But how do they work and what are the benefits? Read on for a full introduction to the world of internships.

An internship is a temporary work experience that bridges the gap between education in the classroom and work in the professional world. The purpose of an internship is to give students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain practical skills, build networks and enhance their resumes. 

Employers offer internship programs as a way to gain access to a diverse, fresh talent pool and affordable workforce.

Internships can vary in type, duration and compensation, serving high school and college students alike, and may be paid, unpaid, remote or in person. Often students receive credit hours for completing an internship while in school. Internships can be part time or full time, and can take place while you're still enrolled in classes. 

Internships can help you gain experience related to your major and earn credit towards your degree. 

The University of Cincinnati offers internships and co-op programs, which are both designed to provide students with real-world experience and help them develop skills for their future careers.

UC is ranked among the top universities in the nation for co-ops and internships, offering opportunities in many fields, including engineering, IT, healthcare and more.

Co-op is short for cooperative education, a model invented at UC over 100 years ago. Co-ops are usually full-time positions that take place over a semester, and are often built into the curriculum as a graduation requirement. Co-op students are paid for their work and typically don't take classes during their co-op semesters. 

Co-ops are more rigorous than internships and are designed to help students apply their classroom learning to real-world projects. Students in the co-op program usually work at least 35 hours per week for a full academic semester.

Students can work for businesses and organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, and can choose to work close to home, in Cincinnati, or travel internationally.

Internships may also be full time, but generally require fewer hours of work and may occur while the student is still taking other classes. Internships usually last 12-16 weeks, or a full semester and take place  8-12 hours per week.

Internships are necessary for career development and personal growth, providing real-world exposure and opportunities that can lead to future job offers.

They also provide students with the opportunity to test-drive their chosen field and make sure it’s right for them. By working in an internship you can see what your future career could really look like.

Interns gain valuable experience on the job. Employers are looking for people with quantifiable experience on their resumes when they are hiring, and an internship can give you that advantage.

For students in high school, internships are generally focused on exploration and foundational experience. High school internships can be a desirable extracurricular activity on college applications, much like how college internships strengthen resumes for graduates entering the workforce.

In college, internships are all about gaining relevant experience in a specific field related to your major. College internships may include more responsibility, such as managing projects, conducting research or contributing to meaningful work in a specific area.

Some internships offer financial compensation, an added bonus for students. Pay could be a flat rate, hourly wage or stipend. Some departments at UC have policies that prohibit you from getting paid for the experience if you are earning academic credit. Check with your counselor, adviser or departmental contacts to be sure.

Many internships are not paid roles, but they are still worth the valuable experience. Unpaid internships may reimburse for travel and parking, or offer other perks. Instead of compensation, most unpaid internships offer the opportunity to earn academic credit for the hours worked.

These provide all of the benefits of a regular internship while allowing you to earn academic credit towards your degree and create a record of your experience on your academic transcript.

To earn credit for your internship, work with the internship coordinator in your academic department. It is important that you meet before you start your internship. Each department has different requirements to complete in order to get credit for your work. You will also need to register for the internship course within your department to receive academic credit.

Your credits may be counted in a number of different ways, depending on your department. Some count the internship credits towards major credits (including required research or practicum work), while others may count it as elective credit. Check with your department to see how your credits will be counted.

Popular among high school and college students alike, these internships are a favorite as most students have more free time during the summer, and students returning from college to their hometowns for the summer make for a perfect temporary workforce.

Remote or virtual internships became increasingly popular amid the pandemic and are still offered as an option at many workplaces today. In a virtual internship, you may have some in-person requirements or work completely off site at the location of your choosing. You can still expect things like virtual meetings, check-ins with your supervisors, evaluations and all the other structure of an internship, minus the office.

From what you learn to who you meet, there are many benefits to completing an internship or co-op.

• Real-world experience: Internships are a valuable opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to a real work setting. Education is foundational, but nothing beats personal experience.
• Skill development: Besides advancing skills specific to your chosen career field, internships strengthen your ability to work independently, your decision-making and problem-solving, plus your communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. 
• Career exploration: Maybe you discover your dream job. Perhaps you connect with an organization you want to stay with after graduation and beyond. Even learning what you don’t want to do for a living — before you graduate — has its advantages.
• Networking with professionals: The connections you make at an internship can be just as valuable as the work experience. Professionals you meet during an internship can be valuable resources to you in the future as employers, references and mentors.
• Potential job offers: Successful internships can lead to a permanent, full-time position, freelance work or advanced internship offer.

Whether you’re in high school, college or you’re a recent grad, there are many types of internships out there. Consider the many personal and professional development opportunities that come with an internship.

As with any job search, students seeking internships and co-op positions must research opportunities, apply and interview in a competitive process. Departmental advisers and Career Coaches in the Bearcat Promise Career Studio are available to help.

UC staff can work with you to write your first resume or cover letter, craft an online professional profile, introduce yourself at networking events or career fairs, search for jobs, prepare for an interview or negotiate your next job offer. UC also provides access to Handshake, a powerful job search tool, to all UC students and recent alumni.

Graduate ahead of the pack with work experience on your side — and on your resume.