Log in to Handshake, complete your profile, upload your resume, and set your career interests. Employers actively search for students on Handshake — a strong profile gets you found.

Schedule an appointment through Handshake or visit us in Murphy Hall. Your advisor can help you identify the best type of experience for your goals, major, and timeline.

Use Handshake, LinkedIn, and employer websites to search for internships, co-ops, and research positions. Attend career fairs and employer info sessions to make direct connections.

Get your resume reviewed, practice your elevator pitch, and prepare for interviews. Career Services offers mock interviews, resume workshops, and one-on-one coaching to make sure you are ready.

Once you’ve been accepted to a position, submit it through Handshake so we can track your success and celebrate your achievement. Plus, you’ll be entered to win prizes.

Internships are structured, short-term work experiences (typically one semester or summer) directly related to your academic major. They can be paid or unpaid and may be part-time or full-time. Internships are the most common form of experiential learning and are highly valued by employers.

Best for: All majors, all class levels (sophomores and up recommended)

Co-ops are multi-semester, full-time work experiences that alternate with academic semesters. They provide deeper immersion in a company and often lead to full-time job offers. Co-ops are especially common in engineering, technology, and business fields.

Best for: Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and STEM majors

Clinicals and practicums are supervised professional practice required by specific degree programs. They place you in real professional settings — hospitals, schools, counseling centers, labs — to apply classroom knowledge under mentorship.

Best for: Nursing, Education, Social Work, Psychology, and Health Sciences

Undergraduate research allows you to work alongside faculty on original research projects. This experience strengthens graduate school applications and develops critical thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving skills that employers value across industries.

Best for: Students considering graduate school, STEM and social science majors

Service learning integrates meaningful community service with academic instruction. Volunteering with nonprofits, community organizations, or campus initiatives builds leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Best for: All majors, especially those interested in public service and social impact

International study and field experiences expand your worldview, cross-cultural competence, and adaptability — qualities that stand out to global employers. Field experiences can also include domestic travel tied to academic programs.

Best for: All majors, students seeking global perspective and cultural competency

For Faculty

Encourage students to pursue experiential learning by integrating career readiness into your courses. You can:

✓ Refer students to Career Services for internship support
✓ Include experiential learning assignments in your syllabus
✓ Connect industry contacts with our employer relations team
✓ Nominate students for research and fellowship opportunities
✓ Request a classroom presentation on experiential learning

Faculty Portal

For Employers

NC A&T students are career-ready and competing nationally. Create experiential learning pathways to build your talent pipeline:

✓ Post internships and co-ops on Handshake
✓ Sponsor case competitions or innovation challenges
✓ Host job shadows or site visits for student groups
✓ Develop semester-long pipeline programs
✓ Partner on sponsored research or capstone projects

Employer Portal

It depends on your department. Some programs offer credit for internships and co-ops while others do not. Check with your academic advisor and department chair about credit options for your specific major.

Start as early as your sophomore year. Many companies recruit 3–6 months in advance, so begin searching in fall for summer internships. Freshman year is a great time to build your resume, attend career fairs, and start networking.

Yes. While some employers have GPA requirements, many value experience, skills, and professionalism over grades alone. A career advisor can help you identify opportunities that match your profile and strengthen your application.

That is exactly what experiential learning is for. Trying different experiences — even short-term volunteer work or on-campus jobs — helps you discover what you enjoy and what you do not. Our career advisors can also help you explore options.

Reporting helps us track career outcomes for NC A&T students, demonstrate the impact of our programs to stakeholders, and support future funding for career initiatives. Plus, you get entered into our prize drawing. Submit your experience here.