Internships

What is an Internship?

An internship is your opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world experience. It allows you to work in a professional setting, apply your academic knowledge, and build the skills that employers value most.

Internships come in many forms: part-time or full-time, paid or unpaid, short-term or long-term. Each experience is unique and offers opportunities for growth, learning, and professional development.

Through an internship, you can:

Gain hands-on, practical experience in your field
Develop transferable skills that apply to any career
Expand your professional network and meet potential mentors
Explore career paths to clarify your goals and discover your strengths

How to find an internship

Finding the right internship can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. Career Development is here to guide you every step of the way. Use the strategies below to navigate the process, and reach out to us anytime for support.

Watch our brief video to learn how to search for internships and job opportunities using Handshake.

Monthly Internship Lists

View the monthly list of featured internships, carefully curated by the Career Development Office for different majors. Each month, we highlight a selection of outstanding internship opportunities designed to help students gain hands-on experience and build valuable professional skills in their chosen fields.

Helpful tips for internship searching

Check Departmental Resources

Some majors have specific internship requirements or approved employer lists. Always start by talking with your academic advisor to ensure you meet departmental guidelines before applying.

Reflect with Self-Assessment:

Think about your interests, skills, and career goals. Ask yourself:

What industries or causes excite me?
What skills do I want to develop or strengthen?
How does this internship connect to my future career plans?
This clarity will help you target the right opportunities

Research Internship Opportunities

Explore multiple sources to find openings:

Handshake – NEIU’s career platform with local and national opportunities
Job boards specific to your field
Company websites and employer career pages

Update Your Application Materials

Your resume, cover letter, portfolio, and CV are key tools to help you stand out in the job market.

The Career Development Office offers a wide range of resources to help you strengthen and refine these materials. Explore our guides on interview preparation, resume templates, action verbs, how to network, and more by clicking here.

Network & Attend Events

Career fairs and networking events are great ways to connect with employers and recruiters.

Attend NEIU’s Part-Time Job Fair and Career & Internship Fair, which are each hosted every Fall and Spring Semester.
Check out all the events hosted by the Career Development Office.
Log into Handshake and view other events hosted by other organizations in NEIU and outside organizations.
Follow our Instagram to get the latest updates on upcoming events.

The Career Development team supports you at every step of your internship journey.

We can help you explore different opportunities and figure out which ones are the best fit for your interests and goals. We’ll work with you to create strong application materials that stand out and practice interviewing so you feel confident and prepared. And once you land your internship, we’ll help you make the most of the experience and build skills that will set you up for future success.