Internships & Experiential Learning

In this step, you’ll identify the specific skills and experience you hope to gain. This will help you pinpoint opportunities tailored to your needs and career goal.    

Download and complete the Experiential Learning: Preferences Identifier.

• Determine how experiential learning may be included in your academic program. Examples of experiential learning you may see in your coursework include capstone projects, clinical/field experience, industry projects, case studies, and simulations. 
  • You can learn more about your program’s offerings by reviewing course descriptions and program guides on your degree page and/or talking with your program mentor/faculty.  

Review the Internship & Experiential Learning Guide to learn more about each experiential learning pathway and discover where to find opportunities.

Internship Guide (PDF)

Internship Guide (Word)

We encourage you to look for a variety of experiential learning opportunities. These can include: internships, micro-internships, volunteering, apprenticeships, fellowships, and more! You can start your search here:

Find Experiences

Find experiences such as internships, micro-internships, and simulations

WGU Handshake

Find a variety of internships, fellowships, and volunteer opportunities on WGU Handshake.

LinkedIn

Utilize LinkedIn a search engine to find a wide variety of experiential opportunities.

Due to the burden of unpaid internships, WGU strongly encourages students to consider paid internships as completing an unpaid internship may cause significant financial challenges which may impact your ability to complete an internship. WGU only approves paid internships on Handshake.  

Additionally, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), research has revealed that paid internships lead to more job offers post-internship. In fact, students who completed an unpaid internship had the same number of job offers as students who did not complete any type of internship. This data demonstrates that being financially compensated for your internship may have an impact on your future career prospects and job offers.  

By completing experiential learning, you’ve further prepared yourself to reach your career goal. Demonstrate your value to potential employers and your professional network by clearly identifying and showcasing your skills and accomplishments.  

Review the Experiential Learning: Career Growth Toolkit to reflect on your experiences and explore actionable steps to share your achievements and nurture your network.