Internships

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Often considered one of the most significant related experiences on a resume, internships are intentional, structured opportunities where you can apply what you are learning in your courses in a professional setting that is also a learning environment.

Internships may be paid or unpaid and completed for academic credit or non-credit bearing. While some employers will be looking for juniors or seniors for their internships, there are options for students of all class years. These experiences typically span across a semester or summer and can be full-time or part-time.

With an internship experience, you can:

Test out a company and career to determine if it is the right path for you.
Develop and enhance transferable and industry-specific skills.
Build professional networking connections and valuable references.
Learn what it's like to be a professional member of the field you are entering.
Gain a better understanding of how your coursework applies in a professional setting.
Get your "foot in the door" at a company.

Search For Internships Get Academic Credit

Why should I intern?

As work in every profession and industry transforms at extraordinary speed, internships and other work-integrated experiences play an increasingly critical role in professional success.

Employers responding to a National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Internship & Co-Op Report 2025 (PDF) indicated that internship experience — both with the hiring organization and within its industry — is one of the most influential factors they consider when deciding between two otherwise equally qualified job candidates.

^Top 10

Public University for Internships

Princeton Review 2023
24,000

Internships posted for W&M students each year

across a wide range of industries
2/3

of W&M undergraduate majors

offer a credit-bearing internship course
62 _%

Get a full-time job from internship
16 _%

Increase in job offers

after completing at least one internship

Top 10 Internship Tips

Utilize a variety of resources to explore options and identify potential opportunities, including TribeCareers and our internship search resources. Set up job alerts on TribeCareers and any other platforms that have that feature.
Research employers through Vault (click on 'Get Started,', then 'Register Now,' and enter your W&M email address).
Start early, knowing that different industries have different search timelines, and stay organized. Check out our Recruiting Timeline resource, which gives a general overview of recruiting timelines by industry. These timelines are based on industry knowledge and data collected by employers as of Fall 2024. Timelines can fluctuate based on individual organizations and are subject to change.
You will need a well-written, targeted resume and cover letter for most internship applications.
Consider if the opportunity fits your values, skills, and goals and what you will gain from participating in the opportunity.
Networking results in 80% of offers, so be sure to hone your networking skills. Everyone you know should know you’re looking for an internship. You never know who they may know.
Check out these tips for avoiding online scams if you’re concerned about whether or not internship postings are legitimate.
If you’re interning in a location other than where you live, here are some summer housing resources.
Participating in an unpaid or underfunded internship or applied learning experience? Apply for Funding for Unpaid or Underfunded Student Experiences (F.U.S.E.)
Looking to earn academic credit for an internship? Arrange academic credit for your internship.

Micro-internships

Micro-internships are short-term, project-based experiences. The Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement partners with Parker Dewey, a platform that facilitates posting and recruiting for paid, predominately virtual, micro-internships for a variety of organizations across many industries. Register as a career launcher to view and apply for available opportunities.

Learn More

Funding for Unpaid or Underfunded Student Experiences (F.U.S.E.)

With the help of generous donors, the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement and campus partners are able to offer several sources of funding for unpaid and underfunded internship opportunities.

Funding Options

Questions?

Contact the Internships & Applied Learning team at internships@wm.edu.