How to Prepare for a Paid Internship
Wildcats who complete a paid internship are better prepared to enter the workforce with confidence. Internships give students a taste of what the professional world is like. They can be paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, remote or in-person, and you can find one in just about any field you want.
You can use the Big 7 steps, starting on your first day as a Wildcat, to prepare for a future internship or research position
The Big 7 is your internship readiness checklist. You can start on your first day as a Wildcat to build skills and confidence, so you’ll be ready to apply when the time is right – ideally in the summer after your sophomore and junior years.
Big 7: Steps 1 and 2
1. Activate Your Handshake Profile
Handshake connects you to career resources, campus events, internships and job opportunities.
Handshake is for college students. It’s where you’ll find part-time jobs, internships, career fairs, coaching and workshops.
- Register for workshops, coaching and career fairs.
- Explore internships, job shadows, on-campus and part-time, and full-time roles.
- You already have an account – sign in with your NetID.
If you’re new to campus or Handshake, LifeLab can help you get started.
2. Get Involved
or Apply for a Part-Time Job
Learn more about what you like to do, build skills, and connect with people who share your interests.
When you get involved, you’ll build career skills and gain experience.
- Develop skills like communication, collaboration, leadership and problem-solving
- Connect with people who share your interests
Looking for ways to get involved? LifeLab can help you explore options.
The Big 7 steps to a paid internship are for all undergraduate students – regardless of year, college or major.
Big 7: Steps 3 and 4
3. Create and Maintain a Resume
Learn to write a strong resume. Download templates, checklists and get helpful feedback.
An effective resume with impactful bullet points is possible, even if you’re just starting out.
- Use a vetted resume template to get started
- Learn the important elements of a resume and how to navigate ATS systems
- Use our guide to writing impressive bullet points
Need help with your resume? CCR Career Educators offer 1:1 support.
4. Meet With a Professional
A low-pressure conversation between you and a professional can help you make informed choices in your career journey.
You’ll learn, before you apply for a job or internship, if a possible career path meets your expectations.
- Gain insights you can’t get online, like what the day-to-day work looks like
- Get advice for skills to build, and the next steps you can take
- Build your network
If you’re not sure how to create an outreach plan, LifeLab can help.
By completing all seven steps before you apply, you’ll have done everything possible to become a strong candidate.
Big 7: Steps 5 and 6
5. Learn About the Interviewing Process
The easiest way to become a more confident interviewer is to prepare ahead of time and practice your interviewing skills.
People who interview well practice and prepare.
- Learn about common interview questions and how to answer effectively
- Build confidence before high-stakes interviews
Practice with Big Interview, our free interview prep tool, or schedule a mock interview with a Career Educator.
6. Search for an Internship
You’ve done your research, prepared your profiles, and compiled your documents. Learn search strategies to effectively find opportunities that match your interests.
A successful search typically takes months, not weeks.
- Many employers recruit 6-8 months in advance
- Set alerts and learn how to use advanced search tools to connect you with opportunities that match your interests
Need help with your search? CCR Internship Coaches can help you develop a strategy.
“My internship helped me gain professional and technical experience.”
– G. Karlin, 2025
Big 7: Step 7
7. Attend a Career Fair
Career fairs and recruiting events are opportunities for you to connect with multiple employers in a single setting, explore their available open positions, and learn more about their organization and culture. Open to students from all colleges and majors.
70% of Wildcats report finding their full-time job through networking.
- Employers come to campus specifically to recruit Wildcats like you
- In-person conversations lead to connections, and even interviews or offers
- You don’t have to be actively searching to attend
Want to make the most of a career fair or recruiting event? CCR Career Educators can help you prepare.
The Big 7 steps are repeatable now and for a future full-time job search.
Benefits of Early Preparation
All Wildcats are encouraged to participate in at least one paid internship or research experience during their time at the University of Arizona. Students who follow the Big 7 steps develop important career-readiness skills and are better prepared to engage with employers during recruitment. Paid internships predict higher rates of employment and higher wages at graduation.
Paid internships predicted higher starting wages by almost $5K.
AY22 Graduating Senior Survey
Wildcats who talk to someone about their career goals are nearly 2x more likely to report a full-time job at graduation.
AY24 Graduating Senior Survey
Employers begin the recruiting interns on average eight months in advance of the start date.
NACE Internship & Co-Op Report (2022) & Wildcat Career Alliance (2025)
Internships for college students are possible at the University of Arizona! The Center for Career Readiness supports students with early career exploration, learning and practicing key career-readiness and leadership skills, and preparing to search and apply for internships and jobs. The CCR website is a virtual career center featuring digital resources for every step of the Wildcat Career Journey. The Big 7 – Your Internship Readiness Checklist reduces the anxiety that comes with preparing and searching for an internship by breaking the process into seven actionable and repeatable steps.
Gain Skills and Experience for Your Future Career
When you’re in college, thinking about the future can sometimes feel intimidating. Internships are a great way to bridge the gap between college and the workforce. At the University of Arizona, we make it easy to find all the resources you’ll need to navigate this process.
What is an internship? How do I find one?
Internships give students a taste of what the professional world is like. They can be paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, remote or in-person, and you can find one in just about any field you want.
Students can find internships through their University of Arizona account on Handshake or by connecting with Center for Career Readiness (CCR). You can also check out other job sites like LinkedIn or work with professors to find opportunities.
Before you apply, take some time to work on your résumé. CCR has resources to help and you can even get personalized feedback. Through LifeLab, you can also get individualized career coaching for any step of the process, from identifying your goals to preparing for interviews.
Read more about internships at Topic: Internships | Admissions
