Internships, Volunteering & Co-ops, Oh My!

Take advantage of your student status – get out in industry for valuable experience and contacts.

The clock may tick slowly, but your time in school will flash by in an instant. Make the most of your time in school by gaining experience in your chosen field or exploring other career avenues. Being a student actually gives you valuable opportunities for internships, volunteering and co-op opportunities – so take advantage of it!

A good first place to start is with your Career Services department – they should be able to steer you in the right direction to find resources for opportunity listings. Your department liaison may also have good leads for you. Keep your eye on for Career Fairs or exploration events that allow you to look into different areas of an industry or stream.

Whether it is a co-opportunity, internship or volunteering – they are all great ways to gain experience in your industry and network. Use this time not only to find out more about that particular career, but the kind of people working in it. Don’t be shy to invite a coworker out for coffee to pick their brain about their industry – the upside, the downside and what keeps them motivated (or not). Always give 100% at these opportunities – you never know who will be reviewing resumes or who could provide a great reference.

At Stenberg College, every Program has a Practice Education Practicum component which allows students to practice and demonstrate their skills in a real-world industry setting as well as make valuable contacts. A few of our Programs have weekly Observations Days on top of their Practicum, allowing students to experience many aspects of an industry or career stream. Many of our students have been hired from their Practicum experience – ensuring employment right after Program completion.

So don’t wait or hesitate to get out there!