Consider the following questions to help narrow down your search:
- When do you want to complete the internship?
- Can you afford an unpaid internship?
- Where can you realistically travel?
- Is transportation a concern? There may be On-Campus Internships
- Creating an Environment for a Successful Remote/Virtual Environment (PDF)
- When your schedule or finances limit your options, consider a Virtual Internship 鈥
A virtual internship is a form of experiential learning not bound by time, a physical
location or space. Remote by definition, a virtual internship allows you to expand
cultural competencies by experiencing global work spaces out of your time zone and
perhaps out of your comfort zone! Develop in-demand skills such as internet and digital
literacy; time and project management; organization; project and task performance;
self-motivation and direction; problem-solving; and communication across multiple
platforms.
- Looking to travel more this summer? Consider an Internship Abroad
- Will you be requesting academic credit for YOUR internship? This may limit YOUR options.
Check out Receiving Academic Credit for more information.
Ideally, all internships would be paid, but not all are. In the U.S., most for-profit
employers must pay interns unless the internship meets strict criteria per the . Unpaid internships are more common (and legal) in government or nonprofit organizations.
If you鈥檙e considering an unpaid internship, consider the following:
- Budgeting: Will you need additional funding (scholarships, part-time job, stipends) if you
accept an unpaid internship? Beyond lack of salary, don鈥檛 forget about potential expenses
like transportation, parking, meals, professional clothing, etc.
- Career Relevance: Is the experience worth the time investment without compensation? Ask about the
specific skills and experiences you will gain in the internship and determine how
this experience will support your long-term career goals?
- Stipends & Alternatives: Inquire about the feasibility of options beyond hourly pay, such as travel reimbursement,
housing support, one-time payments, etc.