UNI Internship Program
9/10 UNI students graduate with Experiential Education
Finding great internships can be a game-changer for your career. Partner with UNI Career Services for resources and access to UNI exclusive internship listings. Attend career fairs to meet potential employers and learn about available opportunities. Research organizations and check their websites for internship programs. Leverage the right platforms including Handshake, LinkedIn, and industry specific boards. Network with friends/family, faculty, and UNI alumni for valuable insights and connection. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences, and email recruiters to express your interest. Follow these strategies to find the right experience!
- Most internships are paid (avg. $19.37/hr in 2024)
- Internships are competitive - apply early and often
Earn Internship Credit
Internship Registration Types
Every major at UNI encourages students to gain experience before graduation. Students are able to register their experiential education (internship) so that it is added to their official Transcript. There are two ways students can register their internship: Academic Credit or Transcript Notation.
- Academic Credit [requirements]
Each department has specific requirements for registering an internship (or cooperative education). In addition to meeting these requirements, students will receive a homework assignment from their faculty supervisor. These internships, which range from 1 to 12 credit hours, are an integral part of the academic curriculum.
- Transcript Notation
Often called the zero credit internship, the Transcript Notation allows you to add your professional experience to your official university transcript at no cost. It's a great way to document your experiences. To qualify, you need a GPA of over 2.5, at least 50 work hours at the internship, and the experience must be preprofessional in nature, as approved by Career Services.
To Register
Both internship types register through Handshake and follow a similar process. Internships can be registered throughout the year. Contact Laura.Wilson@uni.edu with questions.
- Login to Handshake, go to Career Center > Experiences> Submit an Experience
- Once the Handshake form is submitted, Career Services will process your registration based upon the course selected. Handshake automates internship approval by faculty advisor, department head, and employer. Once approvals are met, Career Services will enroll you in the course.
Note for International Students
An international student must complete two academic semesters in the U.S. before securing an internship, and the internship must be related to their field of study for CPT authorization. In addition to completing the paperwork with Career Services, international students will need to meet with the Office of International Engagement for final authorization. Prior start of the employment, the international student must receive CPT authorization for a specific employer detailing a specific start and end date of employment. The DSO must update SEVIS with this information prior to the start date of employment. The student cannot begin CPT until the CPT Employment Start Date, which is recorded in SEVIS. The DSO must also print out an updated Form I-20 reflecting the CPT authorization. It is the student's responsibility to gather all necessary documents and maintain the student's status.
Internship Registration
FAQs
Employer Internship Requirements
UNI Career Services is excited to partner with internship employers to ensure a quality experience for both student and employer. Beyond adhering to state and federal employment guidelines, the University of Northern Iowa will review the internship to ensure it meets academic standards and is preprofessional in nature. The employing organization will have two primary responsibilities:
- Approval
The internship employer will receive an email outlining the learning objectives and providing an overview of the job description. If the experience matches the position expectations, the employer will sign off on the registration through Handshake.
- End of Term Evaluation
The educational nature of the internship requires feedback for student growth. An email will be sent with a basic performance evaluation. Ideally, the employer and the student will meet to discuss the final performance evaluation.
UNI Internship Notices
Unpaid Internships
Unpaid internships are allowed, though not preferred. If unpaid, all federal regulations must be met. There are limited funding options for unpaid internships, including the Koob Fund, the UNI Business Scholarship for Social Engagement, and the Federal Work Study Community Service Learning Program.
Independent Contract Positions
Independent contract positions do not qualify for internship credit at UNI. The nature of independent contract work, typically reserved for individuals with an already developed skill set, does not align with the educational intent of internships. These positions often involve a degree of control, profit/loss, and skill level that disqualify them from most academic internships.