Internships

Create Your Own Internship

If you are looking for an internship at a very specific type of organization, or in an industry where formal internships are uncommon, you might have trouble finding online postings that meet your needs. Instead of giving up, get creative!

  • Make a list of companies in your area that are doing the kind of work that interests you. Then systematically contact each one through e-mail or LinkedIn. Make sure to tailor your pitch to the company, and that your language is professional. For example: “As a junior Visual Arts major at UMBC, I’ve spent the past few years learning about film production, and I hope to apply my skills in new settings. The work that your studio has produced for local arts festivals is impressive, and I would love to contribute to it. Would you consider discussing the possibility of taking me on as an intern?”
  • Reach out to organizations you’re already affiliated with. For example, if you are passionate about finding a cure for juvenile diabetes, contact the group you helped fundraise for a 5k in support of that cause. Maybe they need an intern with your skill sets, or can recommend another organization that does.
  • Use your network. Tell your family, friends, professors and former employers about exactly the kind of opportunity you’re looking for. Don’t downplay your skills – they won’t advocate for you if you can’t advocate for yourself! Learn more about networking.

Co-ops

A co-op is a special type of internship, wherein a student typically alternates semesters between full-time work and full-time study. As a co-op, you’ll make money, build your network and oftentimes obtain a non-competitive job offer in advance of graduation. Co-ops do require advance planning with regard to course scheduling and determining graduation dates, so be sure to talk to your internship coordinator and Academic Advisor early if you are considering participating in a co-op while enrolled at UMBC.

UMBC students participating in an official co-op program administered by the Career Center will also be considered full-time students when registered for a full-time co-op. For the purposes of insurance verification or student loan deferment, UMBC will report status as “full-time” for students who are registered for a full-time co-op administered by the Career Center. Any student who receives notification of repayment while on co-op should contact the Career Center immediately to resolve the situation.

Please note, rules governing financial aid and scholarships are determined not on the basis of enrollment status (“full-time”), but rather on the number of credits a student enrolls in for a particular semester. You must contact your financial aid counselor to schedule an appointment and determine how your aid and/or scholarship(s) will be impacted by going on a co-op. Please visit the Financial Aid & Scholarships website to find your counselor’s name and contact information.

Unpaid Internships

As you evaluate an internship opportunity, you should be aware that the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division developed a six-factor test for determining whether workers are to be considered “interns” or “employees” under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The guidelines below will help you determine if the position can be considered an unpaid internship. All criteria must be satisfied for the position to be unpaid.

  1. The internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to that which would be given in an educational environment.
  2. The internship is for the benefit of the intern.
  3. The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close observation of existing staff.
  4. The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern and on occasion the employer’s operations may actually be impeded.
  5. The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the completion of the internship.
  6. The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship.

View Fact Sheet #71: Internship Programs Under the Fair Labor Standards Act published by the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division for more details.

UMBC’s Career Center is committed to advocating for paid internships for students of all majors. There is no conflict of interest between students earning a salary and academic credit for internships.

Websites for Internships, Co-ops and Research

  • Handshake: Your first stop for applied learning experiences.
  • LinkedIn:  Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access intern and job opportunities.
  • Parker Dewey – Micro-Internships: Students from all majors can execute professional assignments to build and demonstrate skills while exploring a variety of career paths.
  • Smithsonian Institute: Paid opportunities for students of all majors to intern at the Smithsonian.
  • UMBC’s Undergraduate Research website: Research opportunities on and off campus
  • The Washington Center: Organization that provides challenging opportunities to work in Washington, D.C. and abroad.
  • The Washington Post: Under “Jobs,” go to the keyword search and enter “intern” for a listing of recent postings.