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What is an internship?

An internship is 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.

An internship is a professional learning experience that is outside of a specific academic program or course of study. These internships focus on providing practical, hands-on experience in various industries and job roles, allowing participants to develop essential skills, explore potential career paths, and network with professionals. These are non-credit bearing experiences that can be paid or unpaid.

See important information on eligibility if you are studying in the US on an F-1 visa.

An internship can be a fantastic opportunity to develop your technical and transferable skills in a professional environment, build your resume, develop professional connections, and even get a job offer. Students who complete an internship receive more job offers than those who do not. Of 2022 graduates, more than 46% of students who completed an internship received a job offer upon graduation.

As you explore your internship opportunities, keep in mind that many internships have requirements and may vary in academic credit offered. Be sure to contact your academic department for these details.

An academic internship includes a learning plan that is structured into the internship, including objectives, reflection and assessment. The experience balances the goals of the student intern with the work the business or other organization needs. Academic Internships are normally part of an educational program and involve the award of academic credit; these can also be paid or unpaid experiences.

At USM, academic internship courses are run through departments. To learn more about your department’s internship course registration process and requirements, connect with your faculty advisor! Please note that many internship courses require you to have secured your own internship prior to registering for the course.

A Career Advisor can provide guidance on searching for internships in your field of study and help you navigate the application process, which typically begins one to two semesters before you aim to start your internship. Make an appointment HERE!

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Degree Program, Job Title
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Degree Program, Job Title

The Internship Process

Read about what your major requires:

  • IF an internship is required for your major, start with a conversation with your faculty advisor and schedule an appointment with a Peer Career Guide to work on your resume & cover letter. (add hyperlink)
  • IF NOT, a career advisor can help you start your search. A Career Advisor can provide guidance on searching for internships in your field of study and help you navigate the application process, which typically begins one to two semesters before you aim to start your internship. Make an appointment HERE!

Great! Meet with a Peer Career Guide to work on your resume and cover letter

  • Start working with FA or CA two semesters prior to the summer, fall or spring you’d like to do your internship. Use that time to identify your major’s requirements, decide whether you’d like to earn academic credit for the internship (and register for the course), and identify your primary goal (Build skills, Academic Credit, Gain experience, Explore major or career options, Earn money)
  • Begin to start looking for internships via the Career Exploration Internship Program, Job Shadow Day, USM Job & Internship Board, Indeed, LinkedIn, faculty suggestions, Job & Internship Fairs, Networking Dinner, and more. 

With these timelines in mind, be prepared to apply the semester ahead of applications opening.

  • Summer Internships: applications open late winter into early spring
  • Fall/Academic Year Internship: applications open late spring into early summer
  • Spring Internship: applications open late summer into early fall

You can find templates and more on our Career Resources page!

Interviewing for a job is an exciting component of the career planning process. This is a time for you to get to know the employer, the company, and the environment. It is also an opportunity for the employer to understand what skills, abilities, and qualifications you would bring to the position.

Check out the resources on interviewing HERE!

Employers post internships on USM’s Job board. Current students can log in to the system by first logging in to the USM MyCampus Portal and then clicking the green “Job Board” icon on the upper left in the “launchpad.” You can also view recent postings here.

PathwaystoScience.org is a great resource for students interested in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and research based internships. Check out their website here! 

Interested in finding out what other USM students had to say about their internship experiences? Check out the Internship Showcase Student Panels recordings on our YouTube channel!

Researching a company can help you prepare for an internship. Doing a little research about a company before an interview or job fair can help you stand out from the crowd of other applicants, and give you insights into the organizational culture and industry operating conditions.

Career Exploration Internship program

The Career Exploration Internship Program is a paid program hosted by the Career & Employment Hub. These internships allow students to directly apply their classroom learning and build on-the-job skills in a professional setting. University of Southern Maine student interns gain valuable workplace experience and make connections in their field.

Students have the opportunity to apply for internships at Maine community partners. Student interns complete 120-180 hours of work (~12 hours/week) over the course of a semester and are paid $18/hour. To be eligible, students must: 

  • Be matriculated at USM as full-time or part-time student
  • Have at least a 2.7 overall GPA and a minimum of 30 credits prior to the internship
  • Be able to commit to the 120-180 hours outlined above
  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US (international students on F-1 visas may apply) 

More information for students about the Career Exploration Internship Program can be found here.

For questions, please contact hubinterns@maine.edu