Center for Pathway Experiences
Tips for Pathway Experiences
Pathway experiences such as internships provide students with opportunities to enhance
classroom learning through practical experiences. These experiences allow students
to gain career clarity and develop important transferrable skills relevant to their
industry.
Internship Timing
Planning for an internship is appropriate at any time during your academic career.
Some employers require junior and senior students as candidates for internships, while
others hire freshman and sophomores. These specifications vary by employer and by
industry. Check with your academic department as some academic disciplines require
an internship, practicum or student teaching during the last semester of senior year.
Internship Planning
Meeting with a pathways representative to discuss possibilities is beneficial for
learning about the many resources on hand to research and locate your dream internship.
INTERNSHIP SEARCHING
Handshake
CareerShift
Employer Websites
Career and Internship Expo, every October and February on campus
Networking with professionals
Talking with your departmental internship coordinator or academic advisor
Chamber of Commerce membership directories
INTERNSHIP FUNDING
Some internships are paid while others are not. Many times a student receives compensation but not enough to cover all expenses such as rent, travel, professional attire, etc. The Center for Pathway Experiences offers a summer scholarship to help offset these costs.
Listen to what some students have said about our Summer Scholarship Program
INTERNSHIP FINISHING WITH GRADUATION CORD
Be recognized for participating in a pathway experience by wearing our beautiful teal colored graduation cord at commencement. During your last semester simply fill out the Reflection and Evaluation completely and plan to pick up your cord at cap n gown pick prior to graduation.
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR INTERNSHIP
Use the internship as a springboard into the working world by making an effort to develop what employers call soft skills or career competency skills:
| Communication | Written and verbal | |
| Critical Thinking/Problem solving | Analyze, interpret and reason | |
| Teamwork/Collaboration | Build relationships | |
| Technology | Adaptable to new technologies | |
| Leadership | Assess and manage others to achieve common goals | |
| Professionalism/Work Ethic | Demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior, punctuality | |
| I | Career Management | Identify strengths and areas for growth |
| Global/Intercultural Fluency | Value, respect and learn from diverse cultures, races, ages |