Understanding Internships

Career Confidence for Credit

Internships are on-site (or virtual) work experience that may be during the summer or the academic year and should be directly related to your major or your career interest.​

Internships can be paid or unpaid. Over 60% of the internships in Handshake are paid. Internships can also be for credit, but do not have to be.

Internships for credit tend to be more substantive, involve work with a faculty member, and come with requirements about how many weeks/hours per week you must work, your academic standing at the university, etc. Internships without academic credit attached are done independent of school, can be short term, and focus on gaining experience.

Many internships are available only to currently enrolled students or alumni who have just graduated. Leverage the advantage of your connection to Mason and take advantage of resources available to you while you can!

Internship Opportunities for students with a focus in Religious Studies

Internship Resources from University Career Services

For students seeking an internship, University Career Services offers the following resources. 

Search for internships through Handshake

Make an appointment with University Career Services

Enroll in UNIV 320 Internship Readiness to help with your internship search

Apply for the Scholarship for Unpaid Internships through University Career Services if you can’t afford to take on an unpaid internship

With help from the Unpaid Internship Scholarship, psychology major Jennifer Lyon has been able to intern with the American Red Cross
With help from the Unpaid Internship Scholarship, psychology major Jennifer Lyon has been able to intern with the American Red Cross