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
- How can I find an internship?
Start with the UNI Job Board (Handshake) and attending recruiting fairs, where you can talk to employers about internship opportunities. Meet with your career advisor in Career Services (063 Maucker Union) to help focus your search. Join student groups or organizations that interact with employers. Network with employers you are interested and inquire with friends and family to see if they know of internship opportunities.
- When should I start looking for an internship?
Start early—be aware that some competitive internship programs begin recruiting in September for summer interns—their goal is to obtain top talent early! At minimum, make sure you are applying at least one semester prior to when you want to begin your internship.
- Should I do more than one internship?
Yes—as many as you can! The more experience you have before you graduate, the better! You will be more qualified, have more direction, a larger network, a better skill set and stronger resume.
- What is the difference between ACADEMIC CREDIT and a TRANSCRIPT NOTATION?
Academic credit (XXX 3179) is earning credit hours, typically 1-3, for an internship. You will pay tuition for the credits, as well as complete an assignment (s) from a faculty member in your academic department. Your faculty member will also well review an employer evaluation regarding your work performance. Students register through their academic department, so experiences must match their area of study and they must meet registration requirements established by the department.
Transcript notation (UNIV 31CI) is zero credits (NO tuition), and it simply notes that you did an internship during the semester in which you enroll. Students must complete a web-based evaluation of their experience and employers complete a work performance evaluation of the student. Students must have a GPA of 2.5 and work 50 or more hours to qualify. The experience does not have to match the student’s field of study, but must match their future career goals and be pre-professional in nature.- Why should I register my internship?
a ) You need the credit hours to graduate or maintain full-time status
b ) You want the experience documented on a transcript
c ) The student is taking a semester off for a full-time internship
d ) The employer requires it- Does a position have to have “internship” in the title to qualify?
No! Credit can be granted for quality, pre-professional positions that are preparing you for your future career. However, UNI does not allow Independent Contract positions to earn credit. Speak to an advisor in Career Services with questions.
- Is funding available for unpaid internships?
There are three potential funding sources for unpaid internships— IF you are interning with a non profit organization, a city, county, state or federal governmental agency:
a ) Koob Fund for Community Engagement
b ) UNIBusiness Scholarship for Social Engagement
c ) Community Service Learning (Must qualify for Work Study through Financial Aid)- What will my employer have to do if I register?
Employers must sign our agreement as well as complete a work performance evaluation at the end of the semester.
- I heard my sales position (independent contract) cannot earn credit. Why?
Given the intent of an internship measured against the implication of and risk associated with 1099 employees work arrangements, independent contract work is primarily a job reserved for individuals with an already developed skill set employed by sites who either lack personnel with that expertise or the time to supervise and mentor appropriately.
In other words, the criteria used to qualify jobs an independent contract work also disqualify for most academic internships (e.g. degree of control, profit/loss, skill level, etc.).
- I am taking a semester off school for an internship—should I register?
In other words, the criteria used to qualify jobs as independent contract position also disqualify most of these experiences for academic internship credit (e.g. degree of control, profit/loss, skill level, etc.).
- I am taking a semester off school for an internship—should I register?
Yes, at minimum for a transcript notation. Registering your internship will keep you enrolled at UNI providing a registration date and time for when you return. It will also prevent student loans from going into repayment. If you have health insurance through UNI, it will also maintain your eligibility.
- Can internships be paid or unpaid?
An internship can be either paid or unpaid. Internships often pay higher rates than traditional part-time jobs with the current wage average being between $18-24 per hour (In 2024, the mean internship wage for UNI students was $19.37).
- What if I need to leave my internship early?
Contact your Career Services advisor to see if you have met the requirements of your registration and discuss options.
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.