Internships at SUNY Orange
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Learn about the many internships, volunteer and community service opportunities.
Applied learning, or learning by doing, is an educational approach whereby students learn by engaging in direct application of skills, theories, and models. Students apply knowledge and skills gained from traditional classroom learning in hands-on, real-world settings, creative projects or independent or directed research.
Examples of applied learning include internships, field placements, clinicals, service learning and community service opportunities, as well as civic engagment and volunteer activities.
What is an internship?
Internships are typically one-time educational work experiences of fixed duration related to a student's major, or career goal. Internships provide students the opportunity to build upon, apply, and assess the concepts that are developed through the school's curriculum and to further their professional growth through meaningful "real-world" work experiences. A student generally works in a professional setting under the supervision and monitoring of practicing professionals. Internships can be paid or unpaid.
Why should I take advantage of an internship opportunity?
- Acquire professional work experience and skills
- Gain a competitive edge over other candidates when seeking employment
- Have the opportunity to test interests and abilities in the real world
- Make professional contacts in your respective field of study
- Develop professional portfolio materials
- Earn college credit while gaining valuable work experience
- Enhance your confidence, self-esteem and professionalism
By interning with an organization in your field of study, you'll have an opportunity to work with professionals, apply classroom knowledge to workaday problem situations, and learn first-hand about the demands and rewards of work in the particular profession. Internships also give you a chance to network with people in the industry, so that you become a recognized name and face. Sometimes internships turn into full-time jobs for students after graduation. But you shouldn't count on an internship becoming your first career position. Simply approach it as an opportunity to observe professionals at work and further develop your skills.
Volunteer Work/Community Service
Besides offering you an opportunity to make a difference in your community, volunteer work/community service provides a chance to develop new skills or build on existing experiences and knowledge. It can be a great resume builder and an excellent source of satisfaction and fulfillment.
