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Career Center  

Find an Internship

What is an Internship?

Internships provide valuable opportunities for students (freshmen through seniors) to test out career options and/or to gain work experience in their chosen field. Simply defined, internships may be paid or non-paid work experiences with an employer. Internships can be completed during the school year or during the summer.  Academic credit (typically 1-3 hours) may be available for an internship depending on the student's department at UNC Asheville.

"Ready-Made" Internship
Some employers may formally offer and publicize internships through the Career Center and/or academic departments. The Career Center will list internship possibilities online. A good deal of information is provided about local (Asheville/WNC area) opportunities.

Internship opportunities are also publicized through:

Career Center's Job and Internship Search Guide

"Create Your Own" Internship

Some students will find it necessary to create their own internship by directly contacting employers of interest. "Creating" one's own internship is an especially good option for students who return to hometowns outside the Western North Carolina area.  Contact the Career Center if you need assistance in preparing a resume and approaching potential internship sponsors.

Course Credit for Internships

Many academic departments offer internship programs for course credit.  You may contact the department of interest to you as listed here for more information: At-A-Glance Internships. If your major is undeclared or your department doesn't currently offer internships for course credit, you may be able to locate an internship through the Career Center.  Each Spring semester, the Career Center offers a two-credit course for internships entitled HWP 257, "Internship - Exploring Career Choices."  All majors, all academic levels welcome!  You may view the Spring 2011 syllabus by clicking here!

Testimonials from previous Career Center Internship students:

" I honestly think i'd be lost without that class. It was by far the most useful class I took at UNCA and i'm so grateful for taking it." - L. Basso, May 2011 graduate

"This course truly did help me realize what field best suited my personality and skills.  I am so glad that I took it.  If I had not, I would have ended up settling for a job that was not right for me."
  - Danielle Reynolds, Literature major, expected graduation May 2011

"This class helped me "get my mind in gear" about what I want in a career and how to get there.  I knew the basics of what I wanted but this class helped me figure out exactly what I need to do to make it a reality."
 - Samantha Pope, Psychology major, expected graduation May 2011

"This course helped me understand the job hiring process and how to separate myself from other potential candidates.  I learned how to create a professional portfolio which definitely help me get a job."
- Whitney Abbott, Mathematics major, Education Licensure, May 2008

"I learned how to present myself to the professional world.  It was difficult for me to tout my achievements before, but now I get it.  In my internship I gained so much experience!  I may have been meeting future employers as well."
- Jessica Smith, post-baccalaureate student

"The in-class discussions alone were enough to help you feel confident about entering the business world.  I learned more in class from the fun, creative discussions than in all my classes in all four years at UNC Asheville." 
 - Jennifer Bacon, Mass Communication major, May 2005

For information on this course or for assistance in finding an internship you may contact the Career Center's Internship Coordinator:  Tommasanne Davis, 828.232.5099  or  tdavis4@unca.edu

Read more about specific internship courses taught by UNC Asheville departments by downloading At-A-Glance Internships.

Note to Students Interns:

If students are participating in structured internship experiences either through an academic program or a department such as the Key Center or Career Center, they are eligible for general and professional liability insurance sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Insurance Agents. This is a special service available to our students on a cost per-semester basis. The cost is approximately $15.75 per semester. Participation is strictly voluntary. Specific information for students who are interested in this program can be obtained from:

Andrea Jackson, Fixed Asset Accountant, Phillips Hall Room 212, 828.251.6560 

Employers- Want to Post an Internship Opportunity?

Last edited by tdavis4@unca.edu on January 27, 2012