There are countless paths to explore! And there is something to learn at every turn. Some things to consider as you get started...

Your Goals, do you want to:

• Try a new area of work
• Dig deeper into an area where you already have skills
• Build professional relationships and networks
• Learn and practice industry specific skills
• Develop your Career Competencies

Location

Internships can happen anywhere in the world!  (Some locations are easier than others, of course)

• Are you tied to a location (e.g., Burlington or home) due to housing?
• What housing options exists where you'd like to intern
  • FYI: UVM does offer summer intern housing
• What are your transportation options?

Pay

Some internships are paid, others are not.  

• You should always ask about compensation.  And it's ok to negotiate (stop by the Career Center if you're not sure how)
• Draft a budget that includes rent, utilities, food, medical expenses, travel/transportation, etc. will help you know what you need to negotiate for.
• If you do not have financial support that would enable you to accept an unpaid or underpaid internship explore Summer Internship Scholarship options.

Length: 

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

International Internships

• International students: your immigration status will impact paid internship opportunities - learn more at Office of International Education.
• Domestic students going 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).

School/College specific resources
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. 

Tips to make Handshake work for you:

• Complete you Handshake profile and Career Interest Survey so that Handshake's AI algorithm can successful curate opportunities for your homepage. 
  • NOTE: Users with a complete profile are 7x more likely to be contacted/recruited by an employer.
• 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 to explore internships, join a Career Interest Group, and see where recent alums have interned. 
  • You might even reach out to alums for tips.
• 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)

CAS offers mentored internship courses that are open to students of all majors at UVM (you don't have to be a CAS student, but you do have to be a sophomore or higher). COP courses are ideal for students who are taking a first step into work-based learning, or who want to work with multiple community partners and professionals.  Learn more about COP

Create your own experience

• If your dream organization doesn't have an internship posted, you can propose your own.  
• Research your target organizations - Look at their mission/values, history, and programs.
• Let them know how you can further their mission.

Most students apply to 5 - 10+ internships.
We recommend applying to a balance of more and less competitive opportunities.  

• Consult with your academic advisor to understand how internship credit fits into your graduation plan. Typically, each credit is earned by 40 hours of work. Internship credit earned is often elective credit and does not always count toward major requirements. 
• To earn academic credit, you must enroll in an internship course 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 summer credit option.

UVM offers scholarships for undergraduate students who need financial assistance to cover costs of living while they complete an unpaid or underpaid summer internship. 

GoinGlobal is an international career and employment resource that includes country specific career information for over 30 countries and 50+ USA metropolitan areas. Information topics include:

• World-wide job openings
• World-wide internship listings
• Country career guides including specific resume writing guidelines and examples
• Employment trends and opportunities
• Cultural and interviewing advice
• And more...

Log-in to GoinGlobal

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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