Internships and More

Experiential learning — learning by doing, in and out of the classroom — is a great way to get practical experience, develop transferable skills, explore interests, discover possible career paths, and build your network.
UVM intern with sled dogs in the artic

Good for learning + community

As an intern you can put your skills and knowledge to use, offering your host site new energy and unique perspectives. In turn, you'll learn a ton! These reciprocal relationships contribute to a vibrant community and a better future.

Guide to Internships

Get Started

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Some things to think about as you consider interning...

  • Do you want to try a new area of work or deepen your expertise?
    • There is value to both approaches!  Don't be afraid to explore... And consider which Career Competencies you hope to develop as an intern.
       
  • Are there organizations you want to "get a foot in the door" with?
    • Interning is a great way to make connections & build your network
       
  • Are you tied to a location (e.g., Burlington or home)?
    • Internships can happen anywhere (some locations are easier than others, of course). If looking abroad, be sure to check UVM travel policies and allow time to get an MOU in place (it takes time to get legal documents translated and executed).
       
  • Where will you live?
    • Be sure to consider housing & transportation options/costs where you'd like to intern. Notes: UVM does offer summer intern housing
       
  • International students - your immigration status will impact paid internship options - check with the Office of International Education to learn more.

Be sure to check out the School/College links at the bottom of this page for additional supports/programs available to you specifically through your school/college. 

Finding Internships

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Put Handshake to work for you:

  • Complete you Handshake profile and Career Interest Survey so that Handshake's AI algorithm can successful curate opportunities for your homepage.
  • Create and save searches on Handshake to get notified when an opportunity that matches your criteria gets posted.
  • Check out the curated Employer Collections on the Career Center tab on the left of your Handshake homepage. 

Leverage your on-campus resources

  • Log on to UVM Connect & join a Career Interest Group (or two). Use the directory to find alums of interest and see where they interned and/or reach out for tips. (Alums love talking about themselves and their experiences!)
  • Talk with friends, faculty advisors, and others who may have contacts to help with your search.
  • Attend Career fairs, panels, and networking nights to learn more -these are also listed on your Handshake homepage. 

Communities of Practice (COP)

COP are mentored internship courses open to students of all majors with sophomore-year standing or higher. A great way to start gaining experience. 

GoinGlobal 
This international resource includes internships and country specific information for over 30 countries + USA metropolitan areas.  Access GoinGlobal through Handshake.

Note... Most students apply to 5 - 10+ internships.
Got an idea? Meet with a career coach to develop a pitch to propose your own internship.

Pay & Credit

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Some internships are paid, others are not.  It's up to the site.

  • You should always ask about compensation. And it's ok to negotiate (stop by the Career Center if you're not sure how).
    • A budget that includes rent, utilities, food, medical expenses, travel/transportation, etc. will help you know what you need to negotiate for.
  • If your internship is unpaid, or underpaid, be sure to check out the scholarship options.

You can earn credit and get paid, one does not preclude the other.  However you do have to register for credit - more on that below...

  • First, consult with your academic advisor to understand how internship credit fits into your graduation plan. Typically, each credit requires 40 hours of work & academic reflection. Internship credit is often elective credit and may not count toward major requirements.
  • To earn academic credit, you must enroll for credit during the same semester that you complete your internship.
    • You can find a listing of UVM Internship courses at soc.uvm.edu. Select Internship under Instruction Method in Advanced Search.
    • If you are required to be enrolled for your summer internship but you don't want or need the credits, ask us about the affordable SINT option.
  • Review Student Responsibilities of the University's Intern Policies & Protocols

Scholarships

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Not every internship is paid, but every experience is valuable.  So UVM offers a limited number of scholarships to support great experiences. Open to undergraduate students who need financial assistance to cover costs of living while they complete an unpaid or underpaid summer internship. 

Intern scholarships 

NOTE: CAS students should apply through College of Arts and Sciences Scholarship Info

 

 

 

Length

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The length of internships varies.  The more time on task the more rewarding the experience is likely to be; however be sure to balance your internship commitment with your other responsibilities.

  • Internships during the school year are usually 6-15 hours/week for 12-15 weeks.
     
  • Summer internships are typically 20-30hrs/week for 8 - 15 weeks.
     
  • Micro-internships are usually 10-40 hour projects (total) that happen over the course of 1-4 weeks (depending). 

Micro-Internships

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UVM partners with Parker Dewey to offer students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain paid, professional experience through short-term, remote Micro-Internships. These projects, available year-round across various industries, let you build skills, explore career paths, and connect with companies.

Browse Parker Dewey's Micro-internships

UVM intern working on mural

Additional Experiential Learning Opportunities

From part-time work or volunteering to shadowing a provider or participating in undergraduate research, there's no shortage of ways to participate in meaningful experiential learning during your time at UVM.

Find Opportunities for Your Goals

Undergraduate Research and Fellowships
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Research
Participating in undergraduate research lets you work closely with experts in your interest area, and offers you an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and direct mentorship from a scholar in your field. Undergraduate research can help you understand concepts and techniques learned in the classroom in a whole new way, and elevate your academic record to the next level - which will help you stand out to prospective employers and graduate programs. Get started with the Fellowships, Opportunities & Undergraduate Research (FOUR) Office 

Fellowships
Fellowships are nationally competitive, prestigious awards that recognize students with excellent academic records, significant community engagement experience, and ambitions to change the world. They provide you with an opportunity to deeply engage in your field of study, and carry a lot of weight in the job or graduate school search. Learn more about nationally competitive fellowships by connecting with FOUR.

Visit FOUR

Community Engaged (Service) Learning
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Compare to "regular classes," service-learning classes offer higher levels of engagement, greater interaction with faculty, and higher levels of critical thinking and real world problem-solving. 

Connect your classroom experience with the broader Burlington community; in exchange, you'll gain hands-on skills that will make you career-ready. Learn more through the Office of Community-Engaged Learning (CELO).

Visit CELO

Study Abroad
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Studying abroad allows you to learn about other cultures and about yourself. Students often find that they come back with a clearer understanding of what they want to do in life, and how to accomplish it. You will develop and hone skills that help you stand out to employers, including intercultural communication, self-reliance, problem-solving, and foreign language fluency.

Visit the Office of International Education

Part-time Jobs
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Working On-Campus

UVM's Student Employment Office has a range of resources for students seeking on-campus jobs, including work study and non-work study positions. International students -- be sure to review the Office of International Education's guide to on-campus employment.

Working Off-Campus

You can use job boards like Handshake or Seven Days to find local businesses seeking part-time employees. Some area businesses may prefer to have you apply in person, so don't be afraid to drop by and ask for an application. International students, be sure that you understand your immigration status and how it impacts your eligibility for off campus employment.

Tips for Finding a Part-Time Job

  • Consider your schedule, the skills you want to develop, how you will get to and from work, and the work environment
  • Browse online job boards and stop by local businesses in person to inquire about openings
  • Remember: Part-time work can be a great way to make some extra money, and it can help you in your career development. Consider a position that offers experience relative to your area of study or potential career industries.

Leadership Opportunities
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Leadership comes in many different forms, but each opportunity provides you with a chance to find your own voice, make an impact on your community, and build your confidence. As a job-seeker, these are excellent skills and experiences to reflect and build on.

Visit Leadership Opportunities

Community Service
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Volunteering through a student club or local organization is another great way to explore your interests, expand your skill set, and discover new possibilities. UVM is known for its commitment to community service - consider volunteering some of your time to a worthwhile cause and you may be surprised by just how much gain.

Visit Service Opportunities

Makerspace Access (@ Generator)
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The Generator Makerspace is a combination of artist studios, classroom, and business incubator at the intersection of art, science, and technology providing tools, expertise, education, and opportunity to create, collaborate, and make ideas into reality.  Bring your ideas to life!

Apply for a Free Membership to Generator

Job Shadowing
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Connect with alums working in the field and learn what a day in the life is like at your dream job. You can see what a typical work day looks like, make connections to people in an industry, and determine if this type of job is a good fit with your interests and goals.

Learn More about the Job Shadowing Program

School & College Resources

Sophia Carpenter submitted photo: Sophia holding baby osprey Fiona Legg submitted photo: student researching coral Neil Rohan submitted photo: lion roaring

Submit a Photo of Your Experience!

Capture your resume-building experience in a cool photo and submit it for the chance to win prizes - plus you get all the prestige that comes with being featured on the Career Center website.

Learn More Submit Your Photo