The Value of an Internship
An internship is an experiential learning opportunity, which provides an effective way to connect your academic experience with the professional work community. “Experiential learning,” can go by many names (practicum, co-op, student learning, etc.); regardless of the name, internships are an excellent way to sharpen your skills, gain practical experience in your field(s) of interest, and grow your professional network. Internships not only help you learn about careers you might be interested in, but they will help you learn about what you don’t want to do!
Because employers prefer hiring graduates with professional experience, we encourage all students to complete at least one internship prior to graduation in order to become a more competitive job applicant.
How to Find an Internship
Employers interested in recruiting St. Edward’s University students post their internships in Hilltop Careers (powered by Handshake), which is a great starting point for your search. After logging in, click on the “Jobs” tab, select “Internship” and other appropriate filters and get searching! For account access/set-up information click here.
We also encourage you to explore internship opportunities by speaking with your faculty, using other search databases (Google, Indeed, LinkedIn, and GlassDoor), meeting with your Career Coach, and attending CAPD’s internship fairs and other recruiting events.
The most effective way to find an internship is to start early, usually the semester prior to the semester you want to do the internship; however, with some larger companies, you may want to start your search sooner. When searching, don’t just rely on one source; utilize your network: faculty, friends, family, current and former employers, and classmates.
Disclaimer and Internship Waiver for Students
Disclaimer: The office of Career and Professional Development (CAPD) at St. Edward’s University strives for open access and connections between students and employers. Hilltop Careers (powered by Handshake) job, internship, and events database is a free service provided for current students and alumni. CAPD and St. Edward’s University do not endorse specific employers and a posting does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. CAPD makes no guarantees about internship listings or the accuracy of the information provided by the employer. We are not responsible for safety, wages, working conditions, or any other aspect of off-campus internships. It is the responsibility of the applicant to perform due diligence in researching employers when applying for or accepting private, off-campus employment/internships. We encourage students to thoroughly research the facts and reputation of each organization to which they are applying. Students and alumni should be prudent and use common sense and caution when applying for or accepting any position. If a job seeker encounters an employer with questionable practices, they are free to reach out to CAPD for guidance. All hiring is handled directly between the job seeker and the employer.
Internship Waiver: St. Edward’s University students who wish to participate in an internship for which they will receive academic credit or which is associated in any way with St. Edward’s University, must read, understand, and sign this internship participation acknowledgment and waiver of liability.
Internship Frequently Asked Questions and Resources
Regardless of your major, an internship is an extremely valuable opportunity. For additional information, please view these Frequently Asked Questions about internships.
Faculty interested in additional resources for internship courses can utilize our Internship Resources for Faculty, available in both Adobe PDF and Microsoft Word.
