Internship Alternatives

Are you looking for ways to gain valuable career experience while in college, but you just don’t know where to start? Below are some great opportunities that will help you connect with employers, gain relevant experience, learn more about a career in a particular industry or a given company, and maybe even earn some money. After you’ve reviewed these options, plan to meet with your Internship Specialist or Career Coach if you have any questions. Read the news article “What Are Micro-Internships?” for more information about internship alternatives.

The video below titled “Internship Alternatives” discusses two alternatives to traditional internships that are available to UNT students – Forage and Parker Dewey.

Forage

Forage is a virtual work experience program. As a student, you can engage in online simulations of the work done at leading companies. Any student, regardless of university degree, prior experience, location or year group, can experience working at some of the world’s top firms, and the account is free. Below are some examples of work experiences:

  • Aon – Apprenticeship Program – Learn what it’s like to be an apprentice at a global services company.
  • Electronic Arts (EA) Software Engineering Virtual Experience Program – Learn what it’s like to be a software engineer at a gaming company.
  • GE Explorer Digital Technology Enterprise Program – Get insight into exciting, cutting-edge projects GE interns work on everyday, work to solve real-world challenges, and have the opportunity to kickstart your career with GE.
  • BCG Digital Ventures – BCG is a corporate innovation and digital business-building arm of Boston Consulting Group. By completing at least two tasks, you will receive a digital badge of completion.
  • BCG Data Science & Advanced Analytics – Take on practical tasks similar to what BCGers work on and get a feel of what it’s like to work at BCG as a strategy consultant, technology consultant, and a designer.

Parker Dewey

Parker Dewey is a competitive opportunity for college students and recent graduates to complete short-term, paid, professional assignments in a completely virtual setting. It has proven to be a great opportunity for students and recent graduates to demonstrate their skills, gain applied experience, and build their professional portfolios as they seek the right full-time role or internship. It is free for UNT students and alumni. Micro-Internship Destination Survey 2020

• 88% of respondents who graduated in 2020 are employed. This represents an almost 25% higher employment rate than all of 2019 college graduates as reported by NACE (2020 NACE data is not available yet).
• 87% said they feel more prepared to work remotely and independently after completing projects.
• 82% reported that pay was important and they valued the opportunity to get compensated for their work.

Informational Interviewing

An informational interview can serve to build your base of networking contacts and allow you to conduct research on your academic major and identify potential career options. This can be a great option if you are early in your academic career or looking to switch fields.

Career Treks

Career Treks is a program designed to offer additional alternative internship. Career Treks exists in two forms: live job site visits and recorded interviews with students and working professionals. The former format, known as Career Treks Live, is an in-person one-to-five-day job shadowing experience for students to participate in. It is designed provide students opportunities for career exploration and professional development by offering on-site experience in a career field relevant to their academic studies. You will be able to visit companies and organizations, primarily in the DFW area, to network with professionals and to learn about career options related to your major.

The later format of the program, devised to accommodate students after COVID-19, is known as Career Treks On-Demand. This opportunity offers recorded informational interviews for students to view. These sessions include interviews with professionals working in an array of fields as well as interviews with current students and alum who participated in internships during their time at UNT.  In these sessions, you can gain valuable insight on what working in a specific field might be like and find answers to some of your top internship questions. Check out Career Treks to learn more.