Intentional, Meaningful Experiences
Put your education to work! Internships allow students to integrate academic theory learned in the classroom with practical application and career development in a professional setting.
Employers
Looking for information on hosting internship programs in your organization? Learn about the Trinity internship pipeline and best practices.
STEP 1
Explore internship experiences
Not all internship experiences are the same. What kind of experience are you seeking?
STEP 2
Find an internship that's right for you
Whether it’s working for a dream company or getting hands-on with a nonprofit, find a variety of internships in Trinity’s network.
STEP 3
Apply for and secure your internship
Application and interview processes differ from internship to internship. Learn more directly from your future employer.
STEP 4
Enroll for academic credit
(optional)
Students may earn up to six academic credits for internships that complement their academic program.
STEP 1
Explore Internship Experiences
Internships come in all shapes and sizes, and virtually every imaginable industry and type of organization have internships to offer.
Consider what type of experience you’re seeking: Is it hands-on with a small team? A taste of the hustle of corporate life? Learning another language while you’re at it? These opportunities—and more!—await Tigers who seek them.
Schedule an appointment with an adviser or view resources in Handshake.
Internships by Industry
Consider exploring internships by industry if you want to:
- Experience day-to-day life in a specific industry related to your interests
- Understand more about career paths in a specific industry
- Make industry connections with your employer
- Network with others in a specific industry
Internships by Role
Consider exploring internships by role if you want to:
- Experience an industry outside of your major or minor
- Understand more about career paths of specific job types or titles
- Make connections with mentors who support your role
- Network with others in various industries
Graduate Internships
Trinity’s graduate programs have integrated internships as a part of each curriculum. Learn more on your department’s web page.
STEP 2
Find an Internship That's Right for You
Trinity-sponsored Internship Programs
Arts, Letters, and Enterprise
Arts, Letters, an Enterprise (A.L.E.) connects humanities, social science, and STEM students with non-profit organizations in the San Antonio community and across the country.
MAS Alvarez Internship Grants
The Alvarez Summer Internship Grant program connects Trinity students with nonprofit organizations whose activities are related to the MAS Program and its mission.
Departmental Internships
Many academic faculty have connections with businesses, organizations, and nonprofits in the local community. In some departments, internships can be woven into coursework or independent studies. Visit academic department "student opportunities" pages for more.
Community Internships
Handshake, Trinity’s job and internship database, houses countless opportunities available for Trinity students. Use it to apply, schedule interviews and appointments, and RSVP for events.
Online Resources
Search Engines
- Handshake
- Texas Internship Challenge
- Internships.com
- Federal internships
- LinkedIn internships
- ZipRecruiter
Employment Trend Guides
- Firsthand Vault Guides – Sign-in via Handshake
- GoinGlobal Career Guides – Sign-in via Handshake
- National Association of Colleges and Employers
STEP 3
Apply for and Secure Your Internship
Get ready to dive in—hands, head, and feet first!
Once you’ve selected the internship opportunities you are interested in, begin the application process with your future program.
Remember:
- Each program, organization, and employer will have their own application process, so be sure to pay attention to the details.
- Reach out directly to the program or recruitment officer if you have questions about the position.
- Check with a Trinity career adviser: Often they have insider info on application processes and employer preferences.
- Successful applications may require a resume, an interview, or other screening processes. Make sure to contact CELCS if you need help polishing your resume or honing your interview skills!
- If you do not plan to enroll for credit in Step 4, submit the Internship Reporting Form.
Internship Spotlight:
Arts, Letters, and Enterprise
When the nonprofit world took a big hit during the spread of COVID-19, some of Trinity’s ALE interns increased the range of their organization’s offerings by helping them move into the digital sphere.
STEP 4
Enroll for Academic Credit
Trinity enables students to earn up to six academic credits for internships that complement their academic program. The internship is to be a structured and supervised professional work experience with an accepted employer.
Enrolling for academic credit is optional. Talk with your academic adviser if you have questions or want to learn more.
- Requirements
Experience
Each credit hour requires forty hours of work on site. A three credit class breaks down to 10-12 hours of work per week during the fall and spring semesters.Intention
Set goals about what you hope to gain from the internship in terms of career exploration, effective workplace habits, and development of industry-specific skills and general marketable skills like communication and teamwork.Reflection
Reflection is the element that transforms simple experience into a learning experience. For knowledge to be discovered and internalized students must process what they are doing, how that is working out, and what they will do next time. Reflection may take place in writing or in conversation.Evaluation
Students and supervisors will complete a performance evaluation for the student at the mid and end points in the semester. They will have a conversation about their evaluation responses so the student walks away with an understanding of areas for strength and areas for improvement.- Enrollment
1. Search for and secure an internship.
2. Contact your academic adviser to discuss which course you should register for and for how many hours (students can register for up to 6 credit hours; however, most students register for 1 - 3). Each credit requires forty hours of work on site (this also includes virtual/remote work).
3. Complete the Internship Course Enrollment Form. You need to know the following information:
- Internship course subject and number. E.g. BUSN 3X97 - “X” is the number of credit hours you are seeking.
- Who will be your course instructor? Talk to your academic advisor to help you identify a Trinity internship instructor of record.
- Your internship supervisor contact information.
4. Advise your internship instructor and your department chair that you have completed a registration form. They will receive a course approval form by email that needs to be completed for the Registrar’s Office to process the registration.