Your Guide to Finding an Internship
What is an Internship?
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) defines an internship as “a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional workplace setting across in-person, remote, or hybrid modalities.”
“Internships provide students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience, develop social capital, explore career fields, and make connections in professional fields.”
Why Complete an Internship?
According to a NACE 2022 Student Survey of four-year college students, paid interns averaged 1.61 job offers, compared to 0.94 offers for students in unpaid internships, and 0.77 offers for non-interns.
The average hourly wage for 2020-21 bachelor’s level interns and co-ops was identical at $20.82, according to results of NACE’s 2022 Internship & Co-op Survey Report.
Ready to Find an Internship?
Follow the internship search steps below. If you need assistance, please schedule an appointment with Career Services on Handshake. Career Services is here to help you every step along the way.
Step 1: Self-Assessment & Goal Setting
Identify Your Goals: Understand why you want an internship. Are you looking to gain experience in a specific field, build a network, or work on certain skills? Clarifying this will help narrow down your search.
Review Your Skills: Think about the skills and experiences you have and how they align with potential internship opportunities.
- UNO’s PathwayU platform is a great place to discover your purpose and connect it to college majors and careers.
Step 2: Research Potential Internship Opportunities & Apply
Online Job Portals: Use platforms like Handshake, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor to search for internship opportunities.
Career Connect Employers: UNO Career Connect is a collaborative program featuring over 100 employers who have pledged to offer paid internships to UNO students.
Company Websites: Many companies post internship opportunities directly on their career pages. Check regularly for companies in which you are interested.
Network: Reach out to on-campus internship contacts, professors, or alumni to learn more about internship opportunities. Conduct informational interviews with professionals in a field or role of interest to learn more about their career path, industry insights, and experiences.
Step 3: Prepare Your Application Materials
Résumé: Update your résumé to highlight relevant skills, coursework, and past experiences including school projects, volunteer work, or part-time jobs. Career Services offers many resources, including sample résumés, templates, and tips to help get you started.
Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that explains why you are interested in the internship, what you bring to the role, and how it aligns with your career goals.
Portfolio (if applicable): Prepare a portfolio of your work to showcase relevant projects or skills.
Step 4: Prepare for Interviews
Interview Prep: Practicing before interviews will help simulate the real-life experience of an interview with a hiring manager, helping you prepare for the actual job interview. According to NACE in 2022, the “average interview-to-offer rate is 47.5%—approximately 48 of every 100 candidates interviewed received an offer.”
Practice Interview: Big Interview is a simple-to-use job interview training system that combines both expert-developed lessons and the ability to practice – all from your personal computer, 24/7.
Dress for Success: You never get a second chance to make the first impression with a potential employer!
Step 5: Follow Up After Interviews
After submitting your application or completing an interview, send a thank-you email. It is a polite gesture and reinforces your interest in the position.
Be patient but proactive. If you have not heard back by the time they said they would get in touch, it is good to send a polite follow-up email.
Step 6: Evaluate Offers
Assess the Internship: If you receive multiple offers, evaluate them based on factors such as the company culture, learning opportunities, pay, location, and work-life balance.
Negotiate: If you feel comfortable, always negotiate your hourly wage, stipend, or salary.
Step 7: Accept and Plan for Your Internship
Logistical Preparations: Once you accept an internship, ensure you have any required documents (e.g., identification, forms) and arrangements (e.g., work schedule, commute).
Professional Development: If the internship offers any pre-start materials, review them carefully. If not, review the job description and touch up on any information that is mentioned.
Set Personal Goals: Think about what you want to achieve during the internship. These could be professional skills, networking goals, or specific projects to contribute to.
Still Need Assistance?
Contact Career Services:
Email: careers@unomaha.edu
Phone Number: (402) 554-3672
Location: 113 Eppley Administration Building
Safety in the Job Search
Job scams are a real threat to job seekers. They can appear online, in print advertisements, career websites, Craigslist – or even in your email inbox!
Career Connect
UNO Career Connect is a collaborative program featuring over 100 employers who have pledged to offer paid internships to UNO students. This program provides Mavericks with a direct path from college to career experience while also ensuring area employers are able to hire the interns they need to support operations.
Current Students
Career Connect internships are posted on Handshake. Current students can use the Handshake portal to find current opportunities.