An internship is much more than a job. It’s an experiential learning opportunity (typically one semester in length) related to your field of study that emphasizes “on-the-job” training. Other names for experiential learning are student teaching, practicum, co-op, study abroad, or service-learning. Some internships are unpaid, but our program strives to promote paid opportunities. An internship or other experience is required in some degree programs, but even if it’s not a requirement you may be able to get credit for it. Check with your Academic Advisor to determine your situation.
If your internship is completed for credit, there will be specific requirements set by your academic department that must be met. Regardless of your major, an internship is an extremely valuable opportunity, and every UNT student is encouraged to complete at least one. To get started, review the resources on this page, check out the , and watch the Internships: Student Testimonial Videos.
Internship Team
Internship specialists will work with academic departments and employers to promote internship opportunities. Students can find more specific information about their internship requirements by visiting the Internship by departments page.
Supporting the Employer Services Internship Team is:
- Jazmyne Dixson, supports internships for the following Colleges: Education; Engineering; Science; Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism; Information.
- James Grandfield, supports internships for the following Colleges: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences – Most Majors; Visual Arts & Design; Mayborn School of Journalism; Toulouse Graduate School.
- Corey Davidson, supports internships for the following Colleges: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences – Media Arts, Converged Broadcast Media, Anthropology, and Integrative Studies/Social Sciences; Health and Public Services; Music.
- G. Brint Ryan College of Business – Brian Hirsch, All RCOB Graduate Students and Alumni; Elizabeth Hubbard or Beth Kent, SCM Majors; Lola Aje, ITDS Majors; Mo Lucille, Management and Marketing Majors (including Professional Selling); Sarah Spath, Accounting and FIREL Majors.
- Students at UNT at Frisco – Stacey Jones, Sonya Pagel.
Internship Information by Department
For more information on internships for your major and department, visit our Internship Program by Department page.
Unpaid Internship Scholarship
Do you have an unpaid internship? The UNT 51̽ Center is offering scholarships for undergraduate students participating in unpaid internships. The intention of the scholarship is to encourage and support experiential learning opportunities that help students prepare for their careers. Learn more about the Unpaid Internship Scholarship.
Graduation Cords
Did you know that if you are graduating and have completed an internship during your time at UNT, you are eligible to receive a platinum graduation cord? Learn more about it here.
The Value of Internships
One advantage of completing an internship is that employers prefer to hire graduates who’ve gained hands-on experience related to their major. Other benefits are that it:
Extends your classroom learning into a real-world setting. | Provides the opportunity to reinforce your choice of major and career path. |
Allows you to gain practical experience and transferable skills by working in a professional environment. | Gives you a competitive advantage in the job market because of the knowledge and skills you develop in the position. |
Helps you develop a network of professional contacts in your career field. | Provides insight into your future career. |
Finding an Internship
Many employers are looking for students to complete internships. Check out some of the currently available positions here, and filter the list by your college. A complete list of current internship opportunities is available in . After you log in to Handshake, you can filter for internships.
As you start your search, remember to consider the Department of Labor’s Fair Labor Standards Act, which outlines when an unpaid internship is legally permissible. According to , the following criteria must be met for an internship to be considered unpaid:
- The extent to which the intern and the employer clearly understand that there is no expectation of compensation. Any promise of compensation, express or implied, suggests that the intern is an employee—and vice versa.
- The extent to which the internship provides training that would be similar to that which would be given in an educational environment, including the clinical and other hands-on training provided by educational institutions.
- The extent to which the internship is tied to the intern’s formal education program by integrated coursework or the receipt of academic credit.
- The extent to which the internship accommodates the intern’s academic commitments by corresponding to the academic calendar.
- The extent to which the internship’s duration is limited to the period in which the internship provides the intern with beneficial learning.
- The extent to which the intern’s work complements, rather than displaces, the work of paid employees while providing significant educational benefits to the intern.
- The extent to which the intern and the employer understand that the internship is conducted without entitlement to a paid job at the conclusion of the internship.
The Texas Internship Challenge is a partnership among the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Texas Education Agency (TEA), and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), who challenge employers to offer paid internships and make it easy for students to search and apply for them. Check out the to learn more about the initiative and start your search
The Federal government works in every industry and every sector. It is the largest and most diverse employer in the United States, with four million public servants working every day to strengthen communities. Internships are a great opportunity to work alongside these experts, learn valuable skills, drive change, and make a positive impact. Check out the new to learn about current opportunities.
UNT students are eligible to earn paid internship opportunities with . TXWORKS offers face-to-face, hybrid or virtual internships and give you meaningful, challenging, real-world work experiences:
See their to learn more.
Internships Abroad
There are opportunities for students to participate in internships abroad. Keep in mind that while these are great opportunities, there are more costs involved (airfare, fees for collaborating agencies, room & board, etc.) than a typical internship and credit may not be available. To view the available international internships, log in to and go to Search Jobs. Click on the International Internships position type and start your search. These positions are made available with the help of UNT’s Study Abroad Office.
51̽ Treks
51̽ Treks was established to facilitate job shadowing opportunities across all industries, and is designed to assist students in their career exploration and development by matching them with hosts working in career field of interest.
Research
To find out about student research events, click .
UNT Global 51̽ Accelerator
UNT is partnering with Podium Education to bring you where you can add real-world experience to your resume for-credit and get access to an exclusive career network. During the semester, you’ll gain field experience, credentials, and earn 6 UNT credits. Clear for additional information, including timelines, cost, and credit options.
Alternatives to the Traditional Internship
In addition to a typical internship, there are other ways for you to gain experience and learn about a particular company or profession. The Internship Alternatives resource highlights some of these opportunities. Two examples are Forage and Parker Dewey, which are explained in the video and information below.
- is a virtual work experience program. What does that mean? As a student, you can engage in online simulations of the work done at leading companies. Any student, regardless of university degree, prior experience, location or year group, can experience working at some of the world’s top firms. This opportunity is free for students through our partnership with Forage.
- is a competitive opportunity for college students and recent graduates to complete short-term, paid, professional assignments in a completely virtual setting. It has proven to be a great opportunity for students and recent graduates to demonstrate their skills, gain applied experience, and build their professional portfolios as they seek the right full-time role or internship. This account is free through the UNT partnership with Parker Dewey.
Additional Sources for Internship Opportunities
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Federal Internships |
Additional Internship Information
- ! After you complete an internship, student teaching, practicum, co-op, study abroad, or service learning, it’s important to complete this form.
- Learn about Internships and Financial Aid and Scholarship Eligibility
- Internship Information for International Students
- Check out these videos “Internships 101” and “Exploring Internships Series: Modern Woodmen of America.
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