Internships

Gaining real-world experience through internships can help deepen your learning in the classroom and provide valuable professional experience. Students who have interned have a shorter full-time job search and get more job offers than those who don’t. Build your professional portfolio and network by working in high-quality paid internships.

What is an internship?

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) defines internships as a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.

Learn more about how internships are defined below.

Department of Labor Internship Fact Sheet NACE Position Statement on U.S. Internships

Internship Funding

Rural Internship Initiative: The Golden LEAF Scholarship

The Golden LEAF Scholarship is a highly competitive, four-year scholarship awarded each year to 215 students who reside in a qualifying Golden LEAF county and have expressed an intent to return to a rural North Carolina community upon college graduation. These scholarships provide experiences for recipients to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to help build our rural economy.

Students who already have an internship can apply for the scholarship to help make the internship a PAID opportunity, and then the organization will approve it.

For more information, please visit their website!

SECU Public Fellows Internship Program

Are you a UNCP student eager to volunteer this summer but need a paid opportunity? Thanks to a generous grant from the State Employees Credit Union Foundation, the Career Center can offer supplemental funding for your summer internship and place you with an internship site. Have a passion for a particular organization? Contact your ideal organization, craft an internship description that aligns with your career goals, and apply to make it a paid summer internship.

Each summer, funding is available for 20 students.

SECU Program Eligibility
Students MUST meet the following eligibility criteria:

Be an undergraduate student. Be enrolled as a full-time student. Be returning to campus in fall 2025.

Be a North Carolina resident.

Have not previously participated in UNCP's SECU Public Fellows Internship Program.

Must not be a director, employee, or family member of a director or employee of SECU or SECU Foundation.

Agency must be located in North Carolina and serve North Carolina communities.

Priority will be given to students from rural counties or pursuing opportunities in rural counties.

Open to students from all majors.

Students must agree to the following requirements:

Attend the orientation session.

Complete a post-internship survey.

Write a reflection paper at the end of the internship experience.

Engage in a professional development workshops with the Career Center.

Sign an internship participation agreement.
Employer Requirements
Organizations that agree to host a student for the summer must agree to the following criteria:
- Sign an employer agreement form committing your participation in the SECU Public Fellows Program for the duration of the internship.
- Be available via email or phone call with the Employer Relations Coordinator throughout the summer to check-in and provide updates.
- Promote the mission of this program by providing a nurturing and supportive environment for the student participant to grow professionally.
- Fill out a feedback form at the end of the summer for the Career Center’s records and improvement purposes.

SECU

Two UNC Pembroke students stand in a marsh with waders and a net.

Explore possible career paths and refine your interests.

An internship allows you to try out a career in a low-stakes situation, helping you to make more informed decisions on what you want to do with your major. Participating in experiential learning opportunities earlier in college can help ensure you graduate on schedule and land the job of your dreams.

Two UNCP students in a new studio prepare to record a segment as a third operates the video camera.

Build skills and gain a competitive edge on the job market.

Four out of five students reported that their internship helped them greatly improve their professionalism and work ethic in a NACE survey. Bringing an added level of expertise to the job gives you an advantage and allows you to negotiate for a higher salary.

A UNCP student stands at a podium and delivers a professional presentation.

Expand your professional network.

Internships allow you to identify a mentor and secure a good recommendation for a future job search. According to NACE, nearly 65% of students receive a job offer as a result of their internship with an employer.

Parker Dewey

Parker Dewey is an online system for UNCP students to utilize in finding Micro-Internships. Students from all majors can execute professional assignments to build and demonstrate skills while exploring a variety of career paths.

What are Micro-Internships? They are short-term, paid, professional assignments that are similar to those given to new hires or interns. Micro-Internships can take place year-round, typically range from 10 to 40 hours of work and are typically due between one week and one month after kick-off.

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Earn Academic Credit

Students can earn academic credit for both paid and unpaid internships. It is up to each individual academic department to determine whether or not to award academic credit for an internship. If you are considering an internship, consult with your academic advisor or the department’s internship faculty coordinator to see how it fits with your course of study.

Get Started

Find an Internship

Finding the right internship for you requires research. Internships are posted on sites including Handshake. If you have a specific organization in mind, go directly to their company website to look for potential internship offerings. Some employers may formally offer and publicize internships directly through your academic department. The Career Center also hosts career fairs each semester, bringing many employers who are ready to talk with prospective interns.

Not all internships are publicized. Some students will find it necessary to create their own internship by directly contacting employers of interest. Internships may also be found by using your network: LinkedIn, personal contacts, faculty, advisors and Career Center staff. Contact the Career Center if you need assistance in preparing a resume and approaching potential internship sites.
Prepare to Apply

When applying for an internship, be sure to start early! UNCP's Career Center staff recommend beginning your search approximately six months before you hope to begin work. Summer internships are often posted throughout the year and have deadlines ranging from as early as October to March. Visit this link for a detailed timeline for an internship search.

Keeping a detailed record of application deadlines, requirements, and other details throughout the application process will help ensure you meet deadlines. Use position details to create customized resumes and cover letters for each internship. As you review your application documents and prepare for interviews, be sure to utilize the Career Center's resources and how-to guides.
Maximize Your Experience
Remember that internships are learning experiences. Get the most out of your work by:
- Setting clear goals and asking for desired experiences;
- Asking questions;
- Building relationships; and,
- Being open to and seeking out feedback.
For more tips that can help support your success, review some of the resources below.

Internship Do's and Don'ts

Top 8 Mistakes Interns Make