An internship is a professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work related to a student’s field of study or career interest. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent. Experiential learning opportunities, including internships, service learning, job simulations, and micro-internships allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world environments, enhancing their academic and career trajectories.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), these experiences are highly valuable as they provide students with the skills and experience that employers seek, thus enhancing employment prospects post-graduation. NACE emphasizes the importance of these opportunities as they contribute significantly to student development and employability, bridging the gap between academic theories and practical application.
According to data from NACE's 2019 Student Survey:
For detailed and updated statistics and insights, NACE regularly publishes comprehensive reports and surveys on their website: https://www.naceweb.org.
At American International College (AIC), we view experiential learning as a cornerstone of your education. Internships, practicums, clinicals, and fieldwork are integral components of the curriculum across all our schools. These hands-on experiences are designed to enhance the academic rigor of our programs with real-world application, ensuring that our students not only learn but also apply their knowledge in practical settings. Recognizing the immense value these experiences bring, we have expanded our commitment to experiential learning within the School of Business, Arts, and Sciences (BAS). Starting with the 2024-2025 academic year and the Class of 2028, it will be a requirement for students in all majors in the School of BAS to complete an internship before graduating. This exciting change underscores our dedication to preparing AIC students for successful careers by equipping them with the necessary skills and experiences to excel in their chosen fields.
To learn more about internships and experiential learning, please reach out to a career advisor in the Saremi Center for Career Development at Saremi.Center@aic.edu, 413-654-1411, or stop by and visit us on campus!
As you start preparing for an internship or considering one for the future, we want to introduce you to a valuable resource designed to support you in the process.
The Internship Training Portal provides resources, guidance, and tools to help you learn how to search for internships, develop application materials, and understand the expectations of being a professional intern. From resume tips to interview preparation, the portal is built to help you feel confident and prepared every step of the way. It is a self-paced course in Canvas that is broken down into modules dedicated to specific topics, such as:
Typical Process:
The role of the Saremi Center for Career Development (SCCD) in the internship process is to support you by providing resources and guidance related to your professional documents and applications to employers. If you have any questions or need assistance navigating the portal, feel free to reach out to Donna Carroll with any questions. We are available to provide additional resources, answer your questions, and help you make the most out of your internship experience.
Thank you!
This Internship Guide provides detailed information on the requirements (for the School of Business, Arts, and Sciences) and steps for securing an internship. The guide covers everything from understanding the value of internships to navigating the process of approval and enrollment in the BAS Internship Course. While tailored to BAS students, this guide offers valuable advice on key career readiness skills like resume and cover letter development, interview preparation, and professional networking—making it a beneficial resource for all students at AIC.
The PowerPoint presentation titled "Navigating the World of Internships" provides an extensive overview of the importance of internships for AIC students. It covers the following key areas:
This presentation provides valuable guidance not only for students in the School of Business, Arts, and Sciences but for all AIC students pursuing internships.
This Mastering Professionalism: Essential Skills for Workplace Success presentation emphasizes the critical role professionalism plays in personal and organizational success. It highlights that professionalism is essential for fostering a positive work environment, building trust with clients, and meeting universal workplace expectations. Regardless of role or industry, professionalism impacts how individuals interact, communicate, and uphold values, making it a key driver of success in any setting.
This Competencies for a Career-Ready Workforce guide developed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) provides detailed explanations of the eight career readiness competencies, including definitions and sample behaviors that demonstrate proficiency in each.
This Internships & Experiential Learning Resource Toolkit is a collection of multimedia resources, articles, and tools designed to help students maximize their internship experiences. This toolkit is a valuable asset for students seeking to build professional skills, network, and transition from internships to full-time employment.
The flyer highlights Micro-Internships with Parker Dewey, offering AIC students short-term, paid, project-based experiences. Students can explore different industries, build skills, and expand their professional network. Unlike traditional internships, micro-internships are remote, flexible, and can be completed throughout the year, making them ideal for students with busy schedules.
The flyer promotes Forage Job Simulations, which offer AIC students free, self-paced opportunities to develop practical skills and gain real-life experience in various roles. These simulations provide a glimpse into top companies' daily operations, allowing students to expand their knowledge, demonstrate expertise, network with employers, and enhance their job prospects.
The document outlines various micro-credential opportunities that are either free, low-cost, or available with a free trial. These programs cover a range of subjects, including technology, business, and professional development, providing learners with the chance to build new skills and enhance their qualifications. Many of the platforms offer certificates upon completion, helping individuals demonstrate expertise and boost their career prospects. This resource is ideal for anyone looking to expand their knowledge and credentials with minimal investment.
This Professionalism Resource Toolkit provides a comprehensive set of resources to help students understand and practice professionalism in the workplace. It contains videos & podcasts, articles, and guides that cover topics like workplace etiquette, handling conflicts, and defining professionalism. This toolkit is designed to support individuals in navigating workplace expectations and building key professional skills.
This What is Career Readiness resource summarizes the topic and briefly describes the eight core competencies.
Getting started is easy!
Click here to complete the Internship Interest Form
Once received, we will add you to the Internship Training Portal and you can begin working your way through the resources and assignments.
Career readiness refers to the development and demonstration of core competencies that prepare college students for success in the workplace and in managing their lifelong careers. These skills are highly valued by employers and go beyond specific technical training. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), there are eight key career readiness competencies:
For college students, these competencies are essential because they are the foundation for transitioning from academia to the professional world. By mastering these skills, students become more adaptable, effective, and prepared to succeed in diverse work environments.
Download What is Career Readiness?
Download the NACE Competencies for a Career-Ready Workforce guide (PPT)
Demonstrating professionalism in the workplace can boost both your personal growth and success in any organization. It explains how being professional strengthens teamwork, builds trust with clients, and helps you meet the expectations of any workplace.
The key components of professionalism covered in the presentation include:
The presentation emphasizes that professionalism is important in any field, no matter your role or background. Plus, it includes inspiring quotes and encourages you to reach out to the Saremi Center for Career Development for help with your career journey.
Download the Mastering Professionalism presentation (PPT)
INROADS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping diverse and underrepresented students gain access to career opportunities. INROADS provides leadership development, mentorship, and paid internships with top corporations to prepare students for corporate and community leadership roles. Their programs are specifically designed to bridge the gap between education and employment, helping students build professional networks and gain valuable work experience. Through INROADS, students can grow their skills, increase their employability, and make meaningful connections that lead to successful, long-term careers.
Visit INROADS here
AIC students have access to a large volume of virtual work experiences through the Forage platform.
Forage job simulations build real-life skills for real-life roles, offering a window into top companies and preview of their day-to-day. Job simulations are self-paced and 100% free. Upon completing each job simulation, you will earn a certificate of completion which you can use include on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
Completing any of these job simulations will help you:
Download the Forage flyer
Visit Forage here
Get paid, professional experience with Micro-Internships! Students and recent graduates from all majors can execute short-term, paid, typically-remote, professional projects that allow you to build and demonstrate skills while exploring potential career paths.
These Micro-Internships can take place at any time of year, and are used by companies across the United States, ranging from those in the Fortune 100 to emerging start-ups.
Micro-Internships are facilitated via the Parker Dewey platform, which connects students and recent graduates with organizations in need of support.
Opportunities on Parker Dewey are posted by companies on an as-needed basis at all times of year, meaning they cycle quickly. Most Micro-Internship employers make a selection within a week of projects being posted, with new projects quickly taking their place. For this reason, students who log in frequently will see a good number of projects cycle through. The most successful applicants are ones that log in regularly as it leads to seeing more opportunities.
Download the Parker Dewey flyer
Visit Parker Dewey Micro-Internships here
Micro-credentials are short, focused learning experiences that allow you to gain specific skills or knowledge in a particular area. Unlike full degrees or professional-level certifications, which can take years to complete and often cover broad subject matter, micro-credentials are typically more specialized and can be earned in a much shorter time frame. They are a great way to enhance your resume, demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning, and gain skills that are immediately applicable in the workplace. While professional-level certifications are usually industry-recognized and may be required for certain jobs, micro-credentials offer a more flexible, accessible way to boost your qualifications and stay competitive in your field.
Download the Micro-Credentials guide