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Internship Opportunities

WHAT IS AN INTERNSHIP?
Internships provide valuable opportunities for students (freshmen through seniors) to test out career options and/or to gain work experience in their chosen field. Simply defined, internships may be paid or non-paid work experiences with an employer. Internships can be completed during the school year or during the summer.  Academic credit (typically 1-3 hours) may be available for an internship depending on the student's department at UNCA.

"READY-MADE" INTERNSHIPS
Some employers may formally offer and publicize internships through the Career Center and/or academic departments. The Career Center will list internship possibilities online. There are also directories and files in the library containing information about internships. A good deal of information is provided about local (Asheville/WNC area) opportunities.

Internship opportunities are also publicized through:

• NEW Resource! Download "What internships you can do with a major in...?"  This is a great resource if you are exploring internship options within your major, minor or area of interest.

• Career Center Online Postings 

• UNC Asheville Study Abroad/Study Away Office

• Internships.com - Search national and international internship opportunities. CONTACT us at career@unca.edu or 828-251-6515 for the Promo Code

• Internships-usa.com (Career Education Institutes) - E-mail your student ID and major to career@unca.edu for User Name and Password

• International Internships and Entry-Level Jobs

• Internship Programs.com-  Extensive database of internships and company research tools

• International Work, Internship and Study Aboard Resources

• Teaching English as a Second Language Resources

• Federal Internship Programs

• Internships for idealists

• MonsterTrak

• ArtSearch (Theatre Communications Group)
  (E-mail career@unca.edu for the user ID & password)

• Vault Online Career Library
  Vault is generously sponsored by the UNC Asheville
  parents of both current students and alumni!                  
  Vault Guide to Top Internships guidebook can be downloaded from this site! (Current students click on the Vault link above and then choose Get Your Password Now; Alumni can email career@unca.edu for the user ID & password)

• About.com (please note that The Career Center has many of the advertised resources in The Career Center Library)
• Health Policy Internships and Fellowships
• Other career-related websites
• Internships related to Environmental Studies and Biology - Compiled by Texas A&M University's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences

Download The UNC Asheville Career Center's
Job and Internship Search Guide

"CREATE YOUR OWN" INTERNSHIPS
Some students will find it necessary to create their own internship by directly contacting employers of interest. "Creating" one's own internship is an especially good option for students who return to hometowns outside the Western North Carolina area.  Contact the Career Center if you need assistance in preparing a resume and approaching potential internship sponsors.

COURSE CREDIT FOR INTERNSHIPS
Many academic departments offer internship programs for course credit.  You may contact the department of interest to you as listed below for more information. If your major is undeclared or your department doesn't currently offer internships for course credit, you may be able to locate an internship through the Career Center.  Each Spring semester, the Career Center offers a two-credit course for internships entitled HWP 257, "Internship - Exploring Career Choices."  All majors, all grade levels welcome! 

You may view the Spring 2009 syllabus by clicking here! You may want to check it out to determine if this course is of interest to you!

Testimonials from previous Career Center Internship students:

"This class helped me "get my mind in gear" about what I want in a career and how to get there.  I knew the basics of what I wanted but this class helped me figure out exactly what I need to do to make it a reality."
  -Samantha Pope, Psychology major, expected graduation May 2011

"This course helped me understand the job hiring process and how to separate myself from other potential candidates.  I learned how to create a professional portfolio which definitely help me get a job."
  - Whitney Abbott, Mathematics major, Education Licensure, May 2008

"I learned how to present myself to the professional world.  It was difficult for me to tout my achievements before, but now I get it.  In my internship I gained so much experience!  I may have been meeting future employers as well."
              - Jessica Smith, post-baccalaureate student

"The in-class discussions alone were enough to help you feel confident about entering the business world.  I learned more in class from the fun, creative discussions than in all my classes in all four years at UNCA." 
             - Jennifer Bacon, Mass Communication major, May 2005

For information on this course or for assistance in finding an internship you may contact the Career Center's Internship Coordinator:

Holly Waltemyer           828-251-6867  or  hwaltemy@unca.edu

If you have not yet declared a major and would like more information on where students typically intern within each discipline you may explore the following web pages or contact these department representatives:

Read more about specific internship courses taught by UNCA departments by downloading At-A-Glance Internships.

NOTE TO STUDENT INTERNS:
If students are participating in structured internship
experiences either through an academic program or a department such as the Key Center or Career Center, they are eligible for general and professional liability insurance sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Insurance Agents. This is a special service available to our students on a cost per-semester basis. The cost is approximately $17.00 per semester. Participation is strictly voluntary. Specific information for students who are interested in this program can be obtained from:

Philip Turbyfill, University Controller's Office
Phillips Hall Room 111, Ext. 6608

EMPLOYERS--WANT TO POST AN INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY?
View our instruction options HERE