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Internships
An internship is an applied learning experience for which a student may earn academic credit in an agreed-upon, short-term, supervised workplace activity, which may be related to a student’s major field or area of interest. The work can be full or part-time during the semester or summer, on or off campus, paid or unpaid. Some institutions offer both credit and noncredit bearing internships. Career related internships are usually completed in a student’s junior or senior year.
Policy Note: Effective spring 2018, no SUNY campus may include questions regarding criminal history on admissions applications. However, admitted students who are seeking campus housing; clinical, field experiences, or internships; and study abroad programs will be asked if they have been convicted of a felony as part of the application process for those programs/services. For students who may have previously been convicted of a felony, please review the college policy and process.
Are You Required To Do An Internship?
At Buffalo State, some academic departments require their students to participate in an internship. Consult with your department's internship coordinator to learn about specific requirements for your major, complete the appropriate registration procedures, and any forms required. The internship coordinator will also be able to assist you even if the internships is not required for your major.
Based on feedback from employers, we highly recommend completing an internship even if your academic department does not require it. Internships position you as a more competitive candidate for full-time jobs or graduate school.
Tips for Finding an Internship
- Identify what kind of internship you would like to complete. Not sure - talk to us!
- Develop a resume and cover letter to submit to potential internship sites. Many departments require students to complete CDC Workshops as a prerequisite.
- Make an appointment with a career counselor or come to our Drop-in hours to have your resume and cover letter reviewed
- Utilize CDC Resources
- Login to ORCA to find paid and non-paid internship postings
- Access CareerShift, a good resource for internships out of the WNY area, eg NYC
- Attend job fairs, such as the Job & Internship Fair, and Job Luau where employers recruit for paid internships
- Talk with Employers Visiting Campus about internships
- Check you academic department website for additional opportunities
- Contact employers you may be interested in working with directly and ask if they have internships
Many organizations accept intern applications throughout the year. If you have missed a deadline, apply now for next year, and ask to be considered if something opens up sooner. On average, employers begin recruiting interns 8 months prior to the start date, especially for paid summer internships.
Paid & Non-Paid Internships
Paid internships can be treated like part-time jobs, and students may receive academic credit depending on department policies. Unpaid internships are completed for academic credit. If you would like to receive academic credit for an internship, talk with your internship coordinator.
Some organizations will hire students, including freshmen and sophomores, for paid summer internships. These are great opportunities to both get paid and gain experience for your resume.
