Author: Rai Antonio / Reviewed by: Melissa Anderson, MS.Ed. / Reading level: Grade 9
Key Takeaways:
- Affordable online colleges offer guaranteed internships, providing hands-on training, networking, resume enhancement, and potential job offers.
- Universities like Michigan, Purdue, and Arizona State offer diverse internships with professional development, mentorship, and industry connections.
- Online students access valuable internship programs through platforms like Handshake, enhancing career readiness and multicultural awareness.
Did you know that four in every 10 college students join internships? Interns are usually in their junior or senior year in college.
Featured Programs
By becoming an intern, you get hands-on training in your field. You can also expand your network. You can boost the credentials in your resume. You can also earn extra money if you’re in a paid internship position. You can even get an entry-level job in the organization where you’re an intern!
Do you want to enjoy these internship benefits as an online student? Check out the guaranteed internships from these online schools:
10 Most Affordable Online Colleges With Guaranteed Internship Placement
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
Types of Internships: In-person
Places of Internships: Government agencies, nonprofit organizations
UMich – Ann Arbor offers one of the country’s largest and oldest summer internships! Students can apply to the University Career Center’s Public Service Intern Program. Around 80 to 100 selected interns work in public service agencies. They connect with UMich alumni and develop their career development skills. The internship lasts for 8-10 weeks.
Other internship opportunities:
- Information and Technology Services (ITS) internship. Interns work 40 hours weekly and receive $18 or $19/hour within the 14-week program. They join in weekly professional development sessions. They have a mentor and work with others in projects and presentations.
- School for Environment and Sustainability summer internships. They are in:
- World Wildlife Fund
- Alaska Conservation Foundation
- Earthwatch Institute
Pros:
- Top 10 public school
- Smaller class sizes
Cons:
- More competitive
Purdue University – West Lafayette
West Lafayette, IN
Types of Internships: In-person and online
Places of Internships: For-profit and nonprofit organizations
Purdue University offers undergraduate internships to these locations.
- The College of Science offers internships, service learning, and cooperative education. You can start in the summer before your sophomore year. Most internship programs are open for sophomores, juniors and seniors only. You can receive either credit or pay, as well as work on-campus or off-campus, in or out of the country.
- The School of Business and Information Technology offers online and in-person internships. Students must ask the Internship Department.
- The Purdue Pathmaker Internship Program offers paid part-time internship. These internships are in locations on and off campus throughout the academic year. Students work for 10-15 hours/week.
Pros:
- Nationally ranked public school
- Smaller class sizes
Cons:
- Less diverse
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
Types of Internships: Online and in-person
Places of Internships: For-profit and nonprofit organizations, healthcare-related organizations
UArizona’s Student Engagement and Career Development helps students find internships with partner universities and employers. It uses the online recruiting platform Handshake for internship and job opportunities.
Many of UArizona Online’s undergraduate programs also require students to join online or in-person summer internships, including:
- Public Management and Policy: Public Policy Emphasis
- Urban and Regional Development
- Wellness and Health Promotion Practice
- Criminal Justice Studies
- Applied Humanities
- Care, Health and Society
Students must complete a capstone project as a culminating requirement of their internship.
Pros:
- High acceptance rate
- More diverse
Cons:
- Larger class sizes
- Lower graduation rate
University of Nebraska – Omaha
Omaha, NE
Types of Internships: In-person and online
Places of Internships: Domestic and international
UNO offers a virtual international internship program. Through it, students make international connections while gaining hands-on professional work experiences. As an UNO international intern, you will also gain multicultural awareness and come to appreciate different cultures.
International interns can choose from different countries for four and eight weeks. The choices are Argentina, Hong Kong, and South Africa. Internships can be for credit, too. Interns can pay between $1,000 and $2,450 for the internship placement.
Other UNO internship programs are:
- Kinesiology and Public Health students must complete 300 hours or one-semester internship.
- History majors can become interns in Joslyn Castle, Durham Museum, and Union Pacific Railroad Museum.
- Student Service and Leadership Collaborative program participants may become interns in nonprofit organizations.
Pros:
- High acceptance rate
- Smaller class sizes
- Diverse student body
Cons:
- Less prestigious university
- Lower graduation rate
Southern New Hampshire University
Hooksett, NH
Types of Internships: In-person
Places of Internships: For-profit and nonprofit organizations
Many of SNHU’s online undergraduate programs require an internship for graduation, including:
- Sport Management
- Fashion Merchandising and Management
- Health Information Management
SNHU students can complete internships in Miami Marlins, sports organizations, local schools, film festivals, and broadcasting networks.
If you’re an online student at SNHU, you should:
- Fill out the Pre-Internship Survey. Ask the Internship Administrator about the next steps.
- Connect with Career Services for help.
- Use the Handshake platform.
- Ask your professors for internship tips.
Pros:
- High acceptance rate
- Smaller class sizes
Cons:
- Less diverse
- Lower graduation rate
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
Types of Internships: In-person and online
Places of Internships: Domestic and international
Online students at ASU join internships like on-campus students. They also attend in-person and virtual career development workshops. Some join employer recruitment sessions and career fairs.
College students at ASU can also get online internships through the following:
- Open a Handshake account.
- Consult with the ASU Career and Professional Development Services.
- Get personalized career advising. Ask for professional mentoring and information sessions.
For international internship experience, communicate with ASU’s Global Education Office. Apply for a slot in one of the 300+ international education programs in 65+ countries. Examples include the ASU Global Flex program and the Global Virtual Internship program.
Pros:
- Top public school
- High acceptance rate
- More diverse
Cons:
- Lower graduation rate
- Larger class sizes
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC
Types of Internships: In-person
Places of Internships: Government agencies, for-profit and nonprofit organizations
- ECU Career Services is the one-stop shop for students looking for great internships and job opportunities. ECU’s Handshake program allows college students to expand their search for internship opportunities.
- ECU online students also need to complete internships to earn their bachelor’s degree.
- The School of Communication offers internship placements. Students complete internships in prestigious organizations! They become interns in NBC Studios, USA Today, and WITN. They also work as interns in the Department of Homeland Security and the ECU Office of Global Affairs.
- Psychology students join research and field internships.
- Political Science majors intern in local, state and federal agencies.
- Approved internships can equal academic credit, too. Interns’ experiences include in law firms and political campaigns in:
- White House
- Office of the Maryland Governor
- North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
Pros:
- Best value school
- High acceptance rate
Cons:
- Larger class sizes
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
Types of Internships: In-person
Places of Internships: Public and private sectors
George Mason offers the best online student learning experiences through Mason Online. They have access to at least 4,000 internship positions. They can look for internships in HireMason, the university’s database.
You can join GMU’s networking events and internships featuring more than 500 employers:
- Career Fair, a networking event for students and alumni
- On-Campus Interviewing Program, which gathers employers from Washington, D.C. and other places
GMU has an Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP). Here, interns work with GMU faculty researchers and other partner institutions. The eight-week internship is available in in-person, online or via hybrid formats. Students become exposed to cutting-edge technologies, among other activities.
Pros:
- High acceptance rate
- More diverse
Cons:
- Larger class sizes
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO
Types of Internships: In-person
Places of Internships: On-campus and off-campus locations
Mizzou offers its college students several resources to find internship opportunities, including:
- The HireMizzouTigers.com site powered by Handshake. Students can look for opportunities in public and private sectors in and out of Missouri. The academic departments at Mizzou. Check that the skill sets required align with your own.
- Career Tools button. Students use it to view internship databases and sites.
The on-campus internship programs are:
- Cherng Summer Scholars Program
- Integrated STEM Internship Program
Pros:
- Nationally ranked public school
- Higher acceptance rate
Cons:
- Larger class sizes
- Less diverse
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL
Types of Internships: In-person and online
Places of Internships: On-campus and off-campus locations
USF’s Center for Career and Professional Development offers career development services. There are also internship guidance services. As an online student, you can earn academic credit for your internships. You can also put your internship experience in your official transcripts and resume.
USF has a Cooperative Internship course. It is for domestic or international internships. The opportunities are on-campus or off-campus. They are for credit or non-credit purposes.
Students should create their Handshake account to find more internship opportunities.
Pros:
- Nationally ranked public school
- More diverse
Cons:
- More competitive
- Larger class sizes
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three best ways to find internships in college?
Find excellent internship opportunities through the following:
- Career services centers with job posts. They also show co-op and internship opportunities. The typical services offered are:
- resume help
- interview preparation
- networking events
- Personal and professional networks. Ask other students, professors, alumni, and professionals. Look for internships in career fairs, industry events, and alumni gatherings.
- Indeed, LinkedIn and Glassdoor. These websites allow students to make tailored searches. For better results, use keywords, industry, and location filters. Subscribe to alerts for new postings.
Check the companies with internship opportunities by doing the following:
- Visit their physical locations.
- Check their official websites.
- Communicate with their Human Resources staff.
Are virtual or online internships worth it?
Yes, of course, online internships are worth it! You have to be sure that you complete the internships that develop the right skills for you. They must also align with your personal interests and professional goals.
To set the right expectation, research your internship program and agency or office. Get the right feedback and evaluation mechanisms. Find out about the professional growth opportunities offered.
Which internship is better: online or offline?
Both online and offline internships are excellent learning opportunities for college students. Your choice should depend on the following:
- learning style
- preferred interactions
- personal circumstances
Are you worried about geographical distance? Choose an inline internship! If you are well-disciplined and motivated, there is no need to worry! You can also put your technology to use in an online internship.
Do you like in-person interactions? An offline internship is best! Get hands-on experiences with an in-person internship. You can ask for a mentor as well.
What are the upsides and downsides of an online internship?
An online internship is highly flexible. It lets you work anywhere using your personal computer and an Internet connection. The biggest disadvantage is the lack of in-person interaction. Online interns may not get as many networking opportunities. They have less relationship building opportunities.
How do I make the most of a virtual internship?
- Set SMART goals related to your online internship.
- Document feedback and achievements.
- Communicate with your team members and supervisor:
- Be clear about expectations.
- Ask for feedback.
- Seek the right mentors.
- Take initiative on your group projects and tasks.
- Adopt effective time management skills.
- Expand your network.
- Seek learning opportunities.
- Engage in your organization’s events and activities.
Sources
- Gallup, Inc
- Indeed.com
- Forbes
- Will an Internship Add Value to My Degree?
- How Do I Make the Most of My Internship?
- Do Online Degrees Require Internships?