As you explore career options, gaining experience outside the classroom is essential. Internships, volunteering, and job shadowing are three valuable (and often complementary) ways to develop professional skills and make informed career decisions.
- Internships are short-term, hands-on work experiences—often in professional environments—designed to give you practical experience in a field of interest. Some are paid, while others are unpaid or offer course credit. Internships typically involve contributing to real projects and are sometimes required by academic programs at IWU.
- Volunteering involves donating your time and talents to serve an organization or cause. While not always directly tied to a specific career, volunteering builds transferable skills like communication, leadership, and teamwork, and demonstrates your commitment to making a difference.
- Job shadowing is an observational experience where you follow a professional during a typical day or week. It doesn’t necessarily involve hands-on work, but it allows you to see what different jobs are really like—helping you decide if a career is a good fit before committing to an internship or job in that field.
Each of these experiences can help you grow personally and professionally, while strengthening your resume and guiding your career decisions.
The Importance of Internships
National data shows that students with internship experience receive more job offers and higher starting salaries than those without. At IWU, some academic programs require internships to graduate—check with your academic department for details.
An internship can help you:
- Apply classroom learning to real-world settings
- “Try on” a career to see if it’s a good fit
- Work alongside professionals in your field of interest
- Build your resume and gain experience
- Develop valuable career contacts
- Gain confidence in your abilities
- Learn workplace expectations and communication skills
- Increase your chances of landing a full-time job or grad school admission
Internships also give you the chance to better understand your values and work style, and clarify what kind of environment helps you thrive.
Finding Internship Opportunities
Start your search early and stay open-minded. Internships are available in all industries and can be found locally, nationally, or even internationally. Here are steps and strategies to find one that fits:
IWU-Specific Resources
- Life Calling & Career Support: Your IWU Career team is here to help! We can guide you in preparing your resume, practicing interviews, and identifying internships related to your major and goals.
- IWU Job Board: Check the job board through the student portal for current on-campus openings. To find the job board, go to the Payroll Services page under Quick Links.
- The COVE: Visit employers at the east end of the Student Center—many employers who visit offer internships.
- Handshake: Access internships tailored for IWU students on this national job and internship platform.
- Faculty Connections: Talk with professors, academic advisors, and department chairs. They often know of internships tied to your major.
Broader Search Tips
Send Letters of Inquiry: Identify organizations you’re interested in, write a customized letter expressing interest in interning with them, and follow up with a phone call a week later. Many internships are created simply because a student reached out.
Use Your Network: Ask professors, friends, family, mentors, coaches, and your advisor for leads.
Online Resources:
- Handshake
- WayUp
- Idealist.org – great for nonprofit and mission-driven work
- Company career pages
Customize your resume and cover letter for each application. Use your Career Services office for feedback, and don’t forget to send thank-you emails after interviews.
Volunteering
Volunteering allows you to build skills, serve your community, and test out career interests—especially if you’re early in your college journey. Employers and graduate programs look favorably on service work, as it demonstrates initiative, responsibility, and a heart for others.
You can gain:
- Teamwork, leadership, and communication experience
- Exposure to different work environments
- New mentors and references
- Clarity on what types of roles energize you
Look for opportunities through:
- IWU campus service clubs and organizations
- Local nonprofits, churches, schools, and hospitals
- Idealist.org
Job Shadowing
Job shadowing is a short-term experience where you observe a professional in their day-to-day work. It’s a powerful way to explore a career without a long-term commitment. Even spending one day in a workplace can help you decide whether a field feels like a good fit.
Benefits of job shadowing:
- Firsthand insight into different roles and industries
- The chance to ask professionals about their career path
- A better sense of the skills, tools, and pace of the job
- Opportunities to build early career connections
To arrange a job shadow:
- Ask IWU Life Calling & Career about community partners who offer shadowing
- Reach out to the IWU Alumni office to get in touch with alumni who may offer shadowing
- Talk with professors and advisors for leads
- Reach out to professionals on LinkedIn—start with a polite message explaining your interest
