EXPERIENCE: Get an Internship or Co-op

Test-Drive Your Career

Gain a competitive edge in the job market and prepare for the workforce. The Internship Center at PennWest California helps you find real-world job experiences that will build your resume, boost your confidence and introduce you to the professional world. 

  • Connect with paid internships and unpaid internships through PennWest California's access to Handshake -a recruiting website and app with job and internship listings from 200,000 companies, non-profits and government organizations.
    • Want to complete a Handshake Internship Application? Login and click "Career Center" on the right-hand corner of the screen. Click "Experiences" and then click "Request an Experience."
  • Execute professional assignments to build and demonstrate skills while exploring a variety of career paths through micro-internships.
  • Gain paid career-related experience as early as your sophomore year through PennWest California's Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program.
  • Get financial support through scholarships to pursue out-of-state internships.
  • Network with PennWest California alumni and employers through our Career Network.

 

Find an Internship

PennWest California internships are led by University faculty and are for-credit courses. Faculty often help with placements, and our Internship Center gives all PennWest California students access to Handshake-a website and app that connects you to top internships in Pennsylvania, the United States and around the world. Use Handshake to:

  • Find the best internship for you from more than 1,000,000 jobs and internships listings.
  • Build a personal profile that helps you stand out to employers. 
  • Receive personal internship and career recommendations.

Find an Internship Now. 

Paid Experience Through Cooperative Education (Co-op)

Co-op is a University program that gives students in all majors (undergraduate and graduate) the opportunity to gain paid career-related experience as early as sophomore year. This program seeks to apply classroom learning to a professional work experience and is a great way to:

  • Sample or try out a career while still in school.
  • Earn money for college expenses; all PennWest California co-ops are paid.
  • Apply on-the-job learning to academic courses.
  • Gain career-related experience and professional contacts.
  • Make informed career plans and decisions.

To learn more, schedule an appointment with the Co-op Coordinator.

CAL U Career Network

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 75% of job seekers find internships and jobs through networking. Take advantage of the thousands of networking opportunities offered by PennWest California's Career Network-a group of PennWest California students, graduates and employers on LinkedIn who are interested in professional networking. 

Discover the PennWest California Career Network. 

Internship Registration Process

Have you already secured an internship? Congrats! Now follow these step-by-step instructions to ensure you receive credit for your internship.

Internship Registration Process. 

Internship Success Stories

From a police department in Maryland to a golf course Ireland, PennWest California students have been placed in a wide range of internships that span many fields around the globe. Learn about their experiences and get ideas for your own!

Read PennWest California Internship Success Stories.

The Rutledge Scholarship

Do you want to pursue an out-of-state internship, but are worried that you can't afford it? The Rutledge Internship Award is to provide financial assistance to students who are from southwestern Pennsylvania who wish to pursue meaningful, career-related internship experiences (for-credit only) outside of Pennsylvania who would otherwise not be able to afford to do so.

Learn More and Apply! 

Have Questions?

We've compiled a handy list of answers to frequently asked internship and Handshake questions.

Read the Internship FAQ.