Internships

A strong internship should be more than just a job; it should be a meaningful learning experience that supports your academic and career goals. When exploring internship opportunities, look for positions that include:

• Hands-on, real-world learning: Opportunities to apply what you’re learning in the classroom to real projects and professional settings. Internships should focus on learning and skill development, not simply filling staffing needs.
• Transferable skill development:Experiences that help you build skills, such as communication, problem solving, teamwork and professionalism that are valuable across industries and future roles.
• A clear timeframe: A defined start and end date that aligns with academic calendars and is agreed upon by both the student and employer.
• Clearly outlined responsibilities: A position description that explains duties, expectations, and any required or preferred qualifications so you understand the role before you begin.
• Intentional learning goals: specific learning objectives that connect the internship experience to your academic interests, career path, or professional development goals.
• Professional supervision and feedback: Guidance from a knowledgeable supervisor who provides mentorship, regular feedback, and the tools and resources needed for you to succeed.

Internships are available year-round, not just in the summer. Most follow the academic calendar and typically start in September (Fall), January (Spring), and May/June (Summer). Because timelines vary by employer and industry, it’s best to stay prepared and check out opportunities regularly.

A simple timeline to follow:

 

6-9 months before your desired start date

• Start browsing internships (look at our resources we have)
• Explore industries and roles that interest you
• Attend career fairs and employer events
• Update your resume and LinkedIn Profile
  • Whether it's your 1^st or 50^th resume, create a strong general version that highlights your skills and experiences. This makes it easier to tailor each application instead of starting from scratch.

 

3-6 months before

• Begin applying, especially for competitive fields like tech, finance, or engineering
• Meet with a career coach for resume, cover letter, or interview support
• Apply early, many employers review applications on a rolling basis

 

1-2 months before

• Continue applying (new internships are posted all the time)
• Interview and evaluate offers
• Finalize your decision and complete onboarding paperwork

 

Summer vs school year internships

• Summer internships: more opportunities, more competition, often full time
• Fall/ Spring internships: fewer applicants, can be part time or full time.

 

What year should you do an internship?

• First- and Second-year students: Great time to explore careers and build experience
• Third- and Fourth-year students: Ideal for more focused, career-related internships

There’s no “perfect” year, internships can be valuable at any stage

 

Important reminders

• You can start searching as soon as you start college
• Smaller companies and nonprofits often hire closer to the start date
• Applying early increases your chances
• It's okay if your timeline isn’t perfect, many students land internships later in the process

Prepare early: start working on your resume, cover letters, and references before applications open.

Network: Go to our career fairs (Fall & Spring), Hire-A-Bobcat, Linkedin, student organizations, alumni connections, and employer events to learn about opportunities- sometimes before they’re posted.

Tailor each application: Customize your resume and cover letter to match the job description and highlight relevant skills.

Stay organized: Track deadlines, contract, and application status – spreadsheets work great.

Follow up: If you haven’t heard back after applying, it’s appropriate to send a brief, professional follow-up email 7-10 days later to reiterate your interest and ask about the status of your application.

Prepare for interviews: Practice common interview questions and be ready to talk about your experiences and skills with confidence.

Follow up: After your interview, send a thank-you email within 24 hours to express appreciation for the opportunity, restating your interest in the position, and referencing something specific from the conversation and briefly highlight why you’re a strong fit.

For students, internships build career momentum: Through hands-on, work-based experiences, students gain practical skills, explore career interests, and build professional confidence. Internships also help expand professional networks and clarify post-graduation goals. Students who complete internships, especially paid internships are more likely to receive job offers after graduation and feel better prepared to enter the workforce. According to the results of the NACE 2022 Student Survey for four-year college students, paid interns averaged 1.61 job offers, compared to 0.94 offers for unpaid interns, and 0.77 offers for non-interns. For Employers, internships deliver strong recruiting results: 8 out of 10 employers said internships provided the best ROI as a recruiting strategy

Internships help you gain experience, build skills and figure out what you want to do after graduation. But getting paid matters, for your future and your financial well-being.

 

Paid internships lead to better jobs:

Students who complete paid internships get more job offers after graduation than students who do unpaid internships or no internship at all. They also earn more money in their first jobs. On average:

• Students with paid internships earn about $62,500 starting salary
• Students with unpaid internships earn about $42,500

That pay gap starts right after college and can grow over time.

 

Paid internships make opportunities more fair:

Not everyone can afford to work for free. Unpaid internships often exclude students who need income to cover rent, food, or tuition. Research shows that students who are first-generation, students of color, and women are more likely to be in unpaid internships, which can create long-term disadvantages. Paid internships help level the playing field.

 

Your work has Value:

Interns do real work, support teams, work on projects, help customers, and contribute to organizations. If you’re doing work, you deserve to be paid.

 

Paid interns have more protections:

Paid interns are considered employees, which means they receive important workplace protections. Unpaid interns often don’t have the same legal protections, which can put students at risk.

 

Academic credit doesn’t replace a paycheck:

Getting academic credit does not mean you’re being paid. In most cases, you pay for those credits, so credit alone should not be used to justify unpaid work. You should be able to earn both pay and credit for an internship.

 

What MSU Career Services Recommends:

Whenever possible, we encourage students to choose:

• Paid internships
• Paid part-time or seasonal jobs
• Internships that offer pay and meaningful learning or just get a job.

If you’re considering an unpaid internship, talk with a career coach to explore funding options or paid alternatives. Also set up a time to meet with a financial advisor.

Students can find internships through Hire-A-Bobcat, LinkedIn, and other online platforms as well as attending career fairs and networking events through Montana State University. Students may also receive assistance in finding internships by meeting with a career coach at the Student Success Center who can provide recommendations and strategies. Students should also consider reaching out to friends, family, and professors to find internships, utilizing their personal networks to find opportunities.

• Hire-A-Bobcat Powered by Handshake
• Career Fair
• Linkedin 
• Forage
• Meet with a Career Coach
• Podcast Page