Internships are all about learning by doing. These temporary work opportunities are a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional workplace setting. Work-based experiences can be great avenues for increased skills, expanded networks, and enhanced social capital. Internships—particularly paid internships—are also direct pathways to job offers. According to the NACE 2022 Student Survey results 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. Career Services highly encourages all students to learn by doing. We continue to work with employers to offer our students internship opportunities for college-to-career success and social mobility. 

Career Services Internship Guide

Criteria for an internship  

How to get an Internship

Internships on Handshake

Career Services encourages partnering employers to post internships for students on Handshake. WSU students who would like to search for an internship on Handshake must first activate their accounts. Active WSU students are automatically preloaded onto Handshake, so log into your account once to activate it.

Activate your Handshake Account:

1. Go to https://wayne.joinhandshake.com/
2. Enter your Wayne State email address (example: ab1234@wayne.edu)
3. Click on the blue Wayne State University Sign On box
4. Enter your WSU Academica ID (example: ab1234) and password

Once you activate your Handshake account, you can select the Jobs option to search for available Internship opportunities.

Micro-Internships

Career Services partners with Parker Dewey to offer students micro-internships. Through micro-internships, students can demonstrate their skills, explore career paths, and develop professional networks. These paid opportunities typically range from 5 to 40 hours of work, and students can be selected for multiple Micro-Internships.

 Interested students are encouraged to:

1. Create a Parker Dewey account at http://info.parkerdewey.com/waynest
2. Fill out your profile as completely as possible
3. Review current micro-internship projects available
4. Apply to projects of interest
5. Continue to check the platform regularly for new opportunities

Virtual experiences & training projects to build your skills

Career Services partners with Forage to offer students free job simulations designed by the world's top employers. These Virtual Experience Programs (created by companies like JPMorgan Chase, Citi, Accenture, BCG, and Deloitte) let you try out 'life-like' tasks that provide a better understanding of what it's like to be a junior employee at that company. They take 5-6 hours to complete and are self-paced.

• By completing programs, you will build the skills that demonstrate the career competencies employers seek, develop your confidence, and improve your practical skills.
• After completing each Virtual Experience Program, you will receive a personalized Certificate of Completion. To showcase your new skills, you can include each Program on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
• Some companies provide exclusive opportunities (like online networking events, competitions, and prioritized internship applications) to students who complete their Virtual Experience Program.

Interested? Get Started Here

Global Career Accelerator

The Wayne Global Career Accelerator is the for-credit, online program that equips undergrads with in-demand skills, real-world experience, and a path to a great career. Wayne State is proud to offer the Global Career Accelerator to all our career-minded students. This program was designed to be accessible to any major and fit into your degree. The cost of the program is 3 credits of standard tuition.NO PREREQUISITES REQUIRED.

About the Global Career Accelerator program

FAQs

Why is it essential to have an internship?

In addition to gaining valuable experience and enhancing your skills, an internship exposes you to a real work environment where you can apply classroom learning. Many employers also hire full-time employees from their intern pools.

How can Career Services help me prepare for an internship?

Career Services provides the following resources to help prepare you for an internship:

• Resume Review
• Job Search Assistance
• Interviewing Assistance
• Career Planning support to help you determine your career path
• Tips on Workplace Etiquette

Can I register my internship so that it shows on my academic transcript?

For more information about registering your internship experience, please get in touch with an Internship Coordinator.

Why should I register my internship?

1. A campus-based Career Services professional will be dedicated to you while working off-campus. When work politics arise (and they usually do), having open communication with someone with your best interest in mind is a benefit of course enrollment.
2. "Internship/Co-op Record" documents your work in the industry on your official transcript. Your transcript should highlight all educational experiences. Employers want to see your engagement with the internship/co-op process.
3. The course may help you maintain your full-time status with the university. Enrollment in the internship course will address reduced coursework taken for that semester.
4. Employers and professional schools will see how your time was spent when not enrolled in classes or pursuing a lighter course load.
   Just like applicants for employment have to explain gaps in employment on their resumes, applicants for professional schools have to explain the gaps in enrollment on their transcripts.
5. It is free! The zero credit Internship/Co-op record course has $0.00 tuition.  

Are internships only available in the summer?

Internship opportunities are available year-round. Career Services recommends seeking internship opportunities at least one to two semesters in advance. For example, if you are seeking a summer internship, Career Services suggests beginning your search at the beginning or end of the fall term.

Are most internships unpaid?

Career Services promotes paid opportunities. Unpaid opportunities are handled on a case-by-case basis.

I received an internship offer that I am unsure of. Who do I need to contact?

If you have questions about the internship opportunity's validity, please get in touch with an Internship Coordinator.