Internships for Liberal Studies Majors

Why should I consider an Internship?

Internships offer valuable, real-world experience that complements academic study, and for Liberal Studies majors, they can be especially transformative. As an interdisciplinary field, Liberal Studies draws from the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and the arts. This broad-based education develops critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills—competencies that are highly valued across many professions. However, translating those academic strengths into concrete career paths can be challenging without hands-on experience. That’s where internships come in.

One of the most significant benefits of internships for Liberal Studies majors is career exploration. Because the degree does not tie students to a single professional track, internships allow them to test out a range of roles—whether in education, public service, media, nonprofit organizations, business, or other sectors. This exposure helps students clarify their interests and identify the types of work environments that suit them best, making their job searches after graduation more focused and informed.

Internships also help students build professional skills and workplace confidence. While Liberal Studies courses often emphasize analysis, writing, and ethical reasoning, internships give students the chance to apply these skills to real-world projects. Whether writing press releases, coordinating community outreach, conducting research, or assisting in classroom instruction, students gain practical experience that enhances their resumes and makes them more competitive in the job market.

In addition, internships provide networking opportunities. Students often connect with mentors, colleagues, and professionals who can offer guidance, provide references, or even open doors to future employment. For Liberal Studies majors who may pursue diverse or less traditional career paths, having a strong professional network is especially valuable.

Lastly, internships help students articulate the value of their degree. Liberal Studies teaches students how to think critically across disciplines, synthesize information, and communicate effectively.  These are skills that are essential in today’s complex and fast-changing world. Through internship experiences, students learn how to frame these abilities in ways that resonate with employers, building a bridge between classroom learning and professional success.

Internships are a powerful way for Liberal Studies majors to gain direction, experience, and confidence as they prepare to launch meaningful and impactful careers.  For more information on possible internship opportunities, please contact the Department of Liberal Studies.

  1. Education Internships
  • Teaching Assistant (K–12 or College)
  • Curriculum Development Intern
  • Educational Nonprofits (e.g., after-school programs, tutoring centers)
    Great for students considering teaching, educational administration, or child development.

 

  1. Nonprofit & Community Service Internships
  • Program Coordinator Assistant
  • Community Outreach Intern
  • Grant Writing or Fundraising Intern
    Ideal for students passionate about social justice, public service, or nonprofit leadership.

 

  1. Government & Public Policy Internships
  • Legislative Aide Intern
  • Public Affairs Intern
  • Community Development Intern
    Useful for students interested in law, public administration, or advocacy work.

 

  1. Media, Communications, and Publishing
  • Journalism or Editorial Intern
  • Social Media & Marketing Assistant
  • Public Relations Intern
    Perfect for students strong in writing, storytelling, or media analysis.

 

  1. Museum, Cultural, and Arts Internships
  • Museum Education or Exhibit Intern
  • Arts Administration Intern
  • Historic Preservation or Cultural Outreach Intern
    Great for those with interests in the humanities, art, or cultural studies.

 

  1. Business & Human Resources Internships
  • Human Resources Intern
  • Training & Development Intern
  • Corporate Social Responsibility Intern
    Good fit for students interested in organizational behavior, business ethics, or leadership.

 

  1. Library & Archival Internships
  • Library Assistant or Archivist Intern
  • Digital Humanities or Metadata Intern
    Valuable for students considering library science, research, or information management.

 

  1. Research & Policy Analysis Internships
  • Research Assistant (university or think tank)
  • Policy Analyst Intern
  • Survey & Data Collection Intern
    Ideal for students who enjoy academic research or envision graduate studies.

 

Where to Find These Internships

  • University career centers and internship fairs
  • LinkedIn, Handshake, and Indeed
  • AmeriCorps or local government internship programs
  • Cultural institutions like museums or libraries
  • Nonprofits such as United Way, YMCA, or local foundations

For Pre-Law majors, internships provide essential experience that helps clarify career goals, build legal skills, and strengthen law school applications. While you don't need a law-specific undergraduate major to attend law school, gaining hands-on exposure to the legal field gives you a huge advantage. Here are some of the best types of internships for Pre-Law students:

 

  1. Law Firm Internships
  • Legal Assistant or Clerk Intern
  • Case Research Intern
  • Client Intake or Administrative Support
    These internships provide firsthand exposure to legal documents, case preparation, and how attorneys interact with clients. They're especially valuable for learning the daily realities of legal practice.

 

  1. Government Legal Internships
  • District Attorney or Public Defender Intern
  • Judicial Intern (with a judge or court clerk)
  • State or Federal Agency Intern (e.g., DOJ, EEOC, FTC)
    These roles offer insights into criminal law, civil procedure, and public interest work. Judicial internships are particularly impressive on law school applications.

 

  1. Nonprofit & Advocacy Organization Internships
  • Legal Intern at an ACLU, NAACP, or immigration-focused organization
  • Policy Research Intern
  • Human Rights, Environmental, or Civil Liberties Advocacy Intern
    These internships help you explore law from a social justice or public interest perspective and are great for Pre-Law students passionate about making a difference.

 

  1. Corporate Legal Department Internships
  • Legal Compliance or Regulatory Affairs Intern
  • Contract Review Assistant
  • Human Resources Legal Intern
    Offered by large corporations, these internships help you understand business law, contracts, and corporate governance—ideal for students interested in corporate or commercial law.

 

  1. Political & Legislative Internships
  • Legislative Aide Intern (state or federal)
  • Campaign Legal Team Intern
  • Policy Analyst Intern
    These roles blend law and politics, helping you gain experience with legislation, policymaking, and legal analysis in a political context.

 

  1. University or Academic Legal Research
  • Faculty Research Assistant (for legal studies or political science professors)
  • Campus Legal Aid or Student Conduct Intern
  • Mock Trial Team or Debate Assistant
    Good for those interested in legal scholarship or preparing for the academic demands of law school.

 

 Where to Find These Internships

  • Handshake, LinkedIn, Indeed
  • Local bar associations or pre-law societies
  • Your university's political science or pre-law advisor
  • Court and government websites (e.g., usajobs.gov or state court pages)
  • Internship programs like The Washington Center or UCDC

Internships for African American Studies

African American Studies majors are equipped with critical thinking, cultural awareness, research, and communication skills—making them well-suited for a wide variety of internships. These experiences can deepen your understanding of race, history, and social justice while helping you build a strong foundation for careers in advocacy, education, public policy, law, media, and more.

Here are some of the best types of internships for African American Studies majors:

 

  1. Nonprofit & Social Justice Internships
  • Civil Rights Organizations (e.g., NAACP, ACLU, Equal Justice Initiative)
  • Community Outreach & Organizing Intern
  • Policy or Advocacy Intern for Racial Justice or Economic Equity
    These internships let you work directly on issues like racial equity, education reform, voter rights, or criminal justice, aligning with core themes in African American Studies.

 

  1. Museums, Archives & Cultural Institutions
  • Intern at African American History Museums (e.g., National Museum of African American History and Culture)
  • Archival or Curatorial Intern at Cultural Centers
  • Public History or Oral History Project Intern
    Great for students interested in history, storytelling, or preserving African American culture and legacy.

 

  1. Education & Youth Programs
  • Teaching Assistant or Curriculum Intern at culturally responsive programs
  • Intern at after-school or mentorship programs serving Black communities
  • Education Equity or Program Development Intern
    Ideal if you’re interested in education, youth empowerment, or curriculum development focused on African American experiences.

 

 

 

  1. Media, Journalism & Communications
  • Editorial Intern at Black-centered media outlets (e.g., Blavity, The Root, Essence)
  • Social Media or Public Relations Intern for cultural or activist organizations
  • Documentary Film or Podcast Production Intern
    These roles offer platforms to tell important stories and challenge dominant narratives about race and identity.

 

  1. Legal, Government & Policy Internships
  • Intern at civil rights legal organizations or legal aid offices
  • Legislative Intern focusing on social justice or racial equity policy
  • Urban Planning or Public Policy Intern (especially in underserved communities)
    Perfect for students considering law school, public policy, or government careers focused on systemic change.

 

  1. University & Academic Research
  • Research Assistant for professors in African American Studies or related fields
  • Campus Diversity & Inclusion Office Intern
  • Library or Special Collections Intern (with a focus on Black history)
    These internships are ideal if you're thinking about graduate school or want to contribute to academic scholarship.

 

  1. Arts & Creative Fields
  • Intern at Black-owned galleries, theater companies, or film collectives
  • Publishing or Creative Writing Intern (especially with culturally conscious presses)
  • Event Planning or Cultural Programming Intern for Black arts events
    These roles let you merge creativity with cultural advocacy and storytelling.

 

Where to Look for These Internships

  • Local and national nonprofits (search Idealist.org, Handshake, LinkedIn)
  • Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) cultural centers
  • African American museums, libraries, and archives
  • University career centers and African American Studies departments
  • Internship programs like The Schomburg Center’s Junior Scholars Program or The Smithsonian Internship Program