Internships
On average, more than 55 percent of our graduates participate in at least one internship before they graduate. And when we say internship we mean a substantial, career-related work experience. We are not talking about job shadowing or simply observing the work of a professional. Students who intern are making a measurable contribution to the organizations where they are working.
While internships are one of the most popular ways through which students test drive their career goals, get experience, and develop valuable networking contacts, Luther offers a range of other options as well. For example:
- Alumni Externship Program--Are you interested in becoming an anesthesiologist? Are you sure? How would you like to spend your fall break watching every process, procedure, and patient interaction of a Luther grad who practices this exact type of medicine? It happens. Every fall break a group of current students spend their fall break shadowing alumni across the country. From consulting to human services to public health, students shadow Luther graduates in a variety of occupations to get a glimpse of what it might be like to work in that field.
- Undergraduate Research--Do you have a penchant for big questions? Were you one of those kids always pestering your parents and teachers with the question why? If so, then engaging in faculty-supervised research may be just the opportunity for you. Some students think these opportunities are more common at larger institutions, but keep this in mind: at Luther, it's only you, other undergraduates, and the faculty. We don't have any graduate students with whom you'll compete for time, attention, and funding.
- Student Groups--With more than 100 student groups on campus, it's not too difficult to find a group in which you have an interest. Or, organize some friends who share your interest and start your own! In any case, joining and leading a student group not only provides value to the college community but helps you develop the leadership, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills highly sought after by employers.
- Campus Employment--Whether you are producing press releases for the Office of Public Information, assisting with fund-raising initiatives in the Development Office, or delivering a resume workshop for the Career Center, there are MULTIPLE opportunities to get experience and get paid right here on campus.
If more than one of these interests you, that's fine. In fact, it's quite common. Luther students do many, if not all, of these things. The ultimate goal is this: get experience!
