Blog post written by Hunter Amo
Internships are one of the most powerful ways to bridge the gap between educational theories and real-world applications, which means that students take what they learn in a classroom and apply it to potential careers. At the University of Michigan-Dearborn, students are encouraged to gain hands-on experience early through internships so that they not only graduate with a degree, but also with skills that prepare them for real jobs.
UM-Dearborn students also have access to a dedicated internship office, where staff help connect students with opportunities, build strong resumes, and prepare for the application process. The office even offers scholarships for unpaid internships.
Bonus: Did you know that you can get college credit for doing an internship? Talk to Career Services to see how many credits you can get! It’s a great way to make money, gain experience, and work closer to graduation all at once.
Gain valuable skills and experience
Internships allow students to physically apply the theories that they have learned at university to real projects, teams, and challenges. Concepts become clear when students see how they are used in real-life situations.
Bruna Rocha, a mechanical engineering student at UM-Dearborn, gained an invaluable insight through her internship at Tesla. “My internships at Tesla gave me exposure to real-world engineering problems and fast-paced manufacturing environments,” she said. “I worked on design and manufacturing-related challenges, which helped me connect what I learned in class to actual applications. I also developed skills in problem-solving, communication, and working across teams.”
Explore career paths
Internships help determine long-term career goals with short-term commitment. With most internships only lasting for a few months, students can spend short periods of time learning what an industry is like and if it’s the right fit for them. Internships have the potential to change your career path entirely, or they may solidify your choice to continue in your area of study. If you like the company that you interned for, you can apply for a full-time position—or you may be offered one!
Bruna shared that her internship experience at Tesla helped shape the kind of engineer she wanted to be and confirmed the path she wanted to pursue.
Network and gain a competitive edge
Internships also provide a great opportunity to build lasting connections with people inside and outside of your career interests. Knowing the right people can open doors to new jobs, create valuable mentors, and secure future references. Even if the company you intern at doesn’t seem like the right fit, you can still gain support for your future career in a different area.
Once an internship is over, having that experience on a resume gives you a large advantage in the job market. Employers seek relevant experience on CVs, and being an intern shows that you have taken the initiative in your career path. This makes you stand out from other applicants.
Now that you have an idea of why internships are so important, you might want to consider getting one—but how?
Get involved before you apply
Internships can be found through company websites, career fairs, and networking events.
Like the job market, the internship market is also a competitive place—and most of the experience you need to succeed can come from campus. Getting involved with student organizations, clubs, and extracurricular activities is a great starting point.
Bruna served as President of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at UM-Dearborn and as the mechanical lead for MASA Rocketry. These leadership roles gave her hands-on skills and experience to talk about in interviews. “Those leadership and technical experiences were just as important as coursework when applying,” she said.
Use campus resources
As a student, take advantage of everything available to you. UM-Dearborn provides essential resources for students to find internships, such as:
- Walk-in career support
- Resume building workshops
- Mock interviews
- Opportunities to connect with employers and alumni
- Career coach meetings
Don’t be afraid to tweak your resume often. Bruna said that “persistence was the biggest factor” in landing her internship. “I submitted over 50 applications to Tesla alone before landing my first internship,” she explained. “What helped most was being intentional about the role I wanted, tailoring my resume to each position, and building relevant experience through clubs and projects.”
Prepare for interviews and show recruiters how you think
Submitting a well-rounded application is only the first step to gaining an internship. Being comfortable with interviews is the next step. Practicing in front of a mirror, with family and friends, or through the internship office are great opportunities to build your confidence. “Interviewers want to see how you think,” Bruna said. “Not just the final answer.”
The takeaway is that internships are more than just a resume booster. They can help students find the right career path, network, and gain experience beyond lectures. Bruna’s story helps us to understand that internship success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes determination, persistence, and involvement. Though an internship may sound scary, with the support of UM-Dearborn by your side, it’s absolutely achievable.
