Internships are work-related learning experiences for individuals who wish to develop hands-on experience in an occupational field. They can last anywhere from three months to a year, can be paid or unpaid, and students may be able to receive academic credit for their internship experiences.

There is a new opportunity for students to receive funding for internships and experiential learning!

The Pathways to Careers Center received funding to increase student access to experiential learning opportunities, like internships, co-ops, clinicals, practicums, apprenticeships, or similar career-relevant experiences. Students can apply for funds to support any expenses that are needed to participate in these opportunities, such as mileage, housing, childcare, work attire, or equipment.

Applications are being accepted now! To receive support for a Spring 2024 internship, the application must be received by March 15. To receive support for a Summer or Fall 2024 internship, the application must be received by April 15.

To qualify for funds, students are required to go through training to prepare them for their experiential learning. Many students are already engaged in a pre-professional course, career bootcamp, or other pre-experience training that qualifies or there is a new Brightspace course to meet this requirement. For more information with links to the application and Brightspace course, visit this link.

Internships can provide you with the following benefits:

  • The start of a professional network
  • Professional experience in your field
  • Career sampling (can you picture yourself in this field?)
  • Possible income
  • Possible college credits
  • A chance to apply what you’ve learned in school to the real world

Resume and Cover Letter

It is important to make a good first impression with your resume and cover letter. These documents are sometimes your only opportunity to land an interview; perfection is crucial. If you need assistance with your resume or cover letter, please sign up for the “Writing Resumes & Cover Letters” workshop or set up an individual appointment with Haley Brown, Student Services Coordinator: 621-3130 or hbrown120@maine.edu.

Interviewing Skills

An interview is your opportunity to show a potential supervisor your ability to present yourself in a professional manner, both verbally and non-verbally. It’s also a time to convince him/her that you are truly interested and are the perfect fit for the organization. For help with your interviewing skills, attend the “Successful Interviewing” workshop or set up a mock interview with Haley Brown: 621-3130 or hbrown120@maine.edu.

Motivation and Persistence!

An internship may not fall in your lap. Similarly to a job search, it can take time, energy, and persistence to find an internship opportunity, especially since not all internships are posted. Some organizations may hire interns without advertising, and some may consider accepting an intern for the first time – if you ask them. These hidden opportunities require you to reach out to organizations where you want to do your internship, not necessarily the ones who ask you to apply.

Start your search early, and don’t get discouraged if your first few attempts don’t pan out. Continue networking with professionals in your field to learn about new opportunities.

UMA CareerLink

All internship advertisements sent to the Career Connections Office are posted on UMA CareerLink. Current students may access the system by clicking on the “blue cube” on their launchpad in the UMA Portal. Alumni may access UMA CareerLink by clicking here and creating an account.

Internships.com

Visit this national website to search for internships nationwide, read intern blogs, and get tips on searching and applying for internships.

Faculty Members

Don’t forget that faculty members have connections outside of UMA. Talk to your instructors about possible internship locations and contacts.

Other Resources

Most internships are unpaid, so don’t expect a paycheck when you apply. However, keep in mind that under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. Department of Labor has put forth specific guidelines that outline under which circumstances interns must be paid. For more information on these guidelines, visit this link. Remember that an internship is about gaining experience, building your network, and potentially receiving a job offer.

The UMA majors listed below have a required or optional internship/practicum. Students in majors not listed below have the option of pursuing an internship through an independent study.

MajorClass NumberRequired/Optional
Bachelor of ArchitectureARC 406 (Architectural Internship)Required
BA ArtART 496 (Art Internship)Required
BA BiologyBIO 475 (Internship in Biology)Optional
AS Business AdministrationBUA 294 (Coop Education/Field Experience)Optional
BS Business Administration
(Accounting or Management)
BUA 495 (Business Internship)Optional
AS Computer Information SystemsCIS 280 (Internship)Optional
BS Computer Information SystemsCIS 380 (Internship)Required
BS CybersecurityISS 380 (Internship)Required
BS Data ScienceCIS 380 (Internship)

BUA 495 (Business Internship)

SSC 420 (Social Science Capstone Experience)
One class for this requirement is
required
AS Dental HygieneDEH 250 (Clinical Dental Hygiene I)


DEH 300 (Clinical Dental Hygiene II)


DEH 350 (Clinical Dental Hygiene III)
Required


Required


Required
BS Dental HygieneDEH 250 (Clinical Dental Hygiene I)


DEH 300 (Clinical Dental Hygiene II)


DEH 350 (Clinical Dental Hygiene III)

DEH 400 (Dental Hygiene Practicum)
Required


Required



Required


Optional
BS Education
All Tracks
EDU 215/216/217 (Field Experience I/II/III)Required
BS Early Elementary Education
(K-3)
EDU 492 (Student Teaching Early Elementary)Required
BS Elementary Education
(K-6)
EDU 491 (Student Teaching Elementary)Required
BS Secondary Education
(6-12)
EDU 490 (Secondary Student Teaching)Required
AS Information & Library ScienceILS 299 (Library Assistant Practicum & Capstone)Required
BS Information & Library ScienceILS 499 (Senior Capstone Internship)Required
BA Interdisciplinary StudiesINT 496 (Interdisciplinary Studies Internship)Optional
BS Justice StudiesJUS 361 (Community Policing Practicum)Optional
AS Medical Laboratory TechnologyMLT 395 (Hospital Practicum)Required
AS Mental Health & Human ServicesHUS 270
(Field Placement I)
Required
BS Mental Health & Human ServicesHUS 270
(Field Placement I)

HUS 470
(Field Placement II)
Required


Required
BS Nursing (4-Year)NUR 312 (Caring for Adults)

NUR 315 (Caring for Families)

NUR 412 (Caring for Adults II)

NUR 415 (Mental Health & Wellness)

NUR 356 (Community & Global Health Clinical)

NUR 450 (Holistic Nursing Clinical Practicum)
Required


Required


Required


Required


Required


Required
BS Public AdministrationPOS 485 (Public Administration Internship)Optional
BS Veterinary TechnologyVTE 115 (Veterinary Technology Student Internship)

VTE 330 (Practicum in Veterinary Technology)
Required


Required
Check the UMA catalog for more information on courses and degree requirements.