Are you considering applying for a summer internship? Have you already started to apply? Internships are more than just an opportunity to earn money—they’re key to shaping your career path and providing real-world experiences that complement your academic studies. Students who participate in internships often develop a clearer understanding of the types of classes they enjoy and the career paths they’d like to pursue.
If you’re still exploring your career options, an internship offers you the opportunity to dive into an industry you’re curious about. You gain firsthand experience and learn what a future in that field could look like. Internships allow you to try out what you’ve learned, put your theories to the test, and see how they apply outside of textbooks. These experiences deepen your academic understanding and strengthen your practical skills, providing a strong foundation for the future.
Internships Create Opportunity
Networking is one of the biggest advantages of an internship. It’s often said that in any career, it’s not just what you know but who you know. Internship programs help you build professional relationships with experienced mentors and colleagues, giving you a foot in the door for future career opportunities. You might be surprised at how many people land their dream jobs simply because someone they worked with in the past recognized their talent and invited them to join a new team.
Internships can also provide unique travel opportunities. Some internships offer living stipends and travel opportunities, allowing students to explore different cities, states or even countries, all while gaining valuable work experience.
The primary goal of an internship is often to secure a full-time job, but beyond that, internships help build confidence. As a student, you may not be an expert in your field yet, but an internship will push you to expand your skills, voice your opinions and contribute to meaningful projects. Interns bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table—your insights matter and your perspective can help solve challenges your company may not have anticipated.
Resources for Getting Started
If you’re wondering how to get started with internships, ASU offers excellent resources to help you prepare. First, make sure your resume is polished and ready for the job market. ASU Career Services provides 1:1 resume reviews to ensure your resume stands out. You can also use VMock, an AI-powered resume review tool that gives personalized feedback to help you improve your resume.
In addition to resume help, Career Services provides helpful templates and advice tailored to your degree program, cover letter and interview tips to help you stand out in the competitive internship market. For students just starting, there’s also the Be Internship Ready course on Canvas to guide you through the internship search, application and interview process.
ASU Blackstone Launchpad Paid Internship Opportunities
Lastly, be sure to check out WorldLabs—ASU’s internship platform—where you can create a profile and start connecting with potential employers. It’s an excellent tool to find internship opportunities, including paid internships, through the ASU Blackstone LaunchPad.
The Blackstone LaunchPad provides paid internship opportunities starting at $20 an hour for students at both ASU and Maricopa Community Colleges (MCCCD). These internships are designed to give you real-world experience, enhance your entrepreneurial skills, and build connections within your field. By exploring Handshake, you can easily search for these paid internship opportunities and take the first step toward launching your career while developing valuable skills that will set you apart in today’s competitive job market.
Build Confidence in Your Innovative Ideas
Internships provide countless benefits, from gaining career-specific experience to building your professional network. Don’t miss the opportunity to set yourself up for success, develop your skills and make your mark as an emerging intern. Start exploring your options today!
Launch Days
Consider participating in Launch Days, a week of events, workshops and other opportunities for you to think through your ideas, learn about entrepreneurship, connect with others and potentially launch an idea! Launch Days will take place the week of Feb 24 – 28, 2025. Learn more and register for events at the Launch Days website.
Innovation Sprint
Join the ASU Blackstone LaunchPad Innovation Sprint, a dynamic hackathon-style event designed to foster creativity and collaboration among students!
Day 1: Sprint Launch, Mon, Feb 24, 11 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. MST, Memorial Union Room 240 (Navajo), ASU Tempe Campus
Day 2: Sprint Pitch Competition, Fri, Feb 28, 6 – 7:30 p.m. MST, Virtual
RSVP *You must participate in the Innovation Sprint Day 1 to be eligible for the Day 2 Pitch Competition.
Open Pitch Week
Open Pitch Week consists of a week of Open Pitch events where any ASU or MCCCD student can share their idea in a two-minute pitch to receive feedback, connect with others and compete for a crowd-favorite prize of $250 to further develop their idea. Open Pitch Week occurs the week of Mar 3 – Mar 7, 2025. Register to pitch your idea or attend as an audience member on the Open Pitch Week website.
Venture Devils
The Venture Devils program is an opportunity for ASU and MCCCD students to bring an idea to life! Venture Devils provides a robust suite of resources, programming, mentorship and funding opportunities to help you develop your idea. Join Venture Devils at any time by filling out the Venture Devils application.
Entrepreneurial Student Organizations
You can find a variety of entrepreneurial clubs on campus. Browse through the directory and find one that fits your style.
