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Internships and Experiential Learning at SUNY
Gain Skills. Build Networks. Get Hired. Real-World Experience Starts Here
SUNY is on a mission to ensure every undergraduate student on each of our campuses takes part in a paid internship or other experiential learning opportunity before they graduate.
In 2023, Chancellor King established a goal that every undergraduate student take part in an internship or other experiential learning program tied to High-Impact Practices. These HIP metrics include:
- Internship (paid or for-credit)
- Clinical placement or practicum
- Capstone course projects
- Service-learning and community-based learning, including civic engagement
- Undergraduate research, including field study
- Study abroad
For each of the above, except noncredit internships and study abroad experiences, there is a three-credit threshold to count as a success under the High-Impact Practices metrics. View progress toward our goal on our High-Impact Practices Dashboard.
Why Internships Matter
These experiences set students up for success during their campus experience, after graduation and in the future. Students build real-world skills and industry-specific knowledge, have higher rates of retention and job placement, build professional networks and see greater earning potential in their career.
- Increased Employment Opportunities: Graduates who complete an internship are significantly more likely to have more employment offers and full-time employment after graduation.
- Higher Starting Salaries: Graduates who had a paid internship earn more after graduation.
- Skill Development and Confidence: Students report that internships help them develop transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork.
- Improved College and Job Retention: Internships help students persist in school and correlate with lower unemployment rates in the years after graduation.
- Networking and Connections: Internships help expand a student's professional and social networks, which is vital to grow opportunities after graduation.
Looking for Interns?
Whether you're looking to host interns, hire top talent, or help design tomorrow’s curriculum, SUNY can help you engage directly with skilled students in wide ranging programs across New York State.
- Where: We need internship opportunities across the state, in every subject area, across all industries
- When: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
- Who: What skills are you looking for? We can help match students, college campuses, and academic programs to your needs.
- Support for Internships: We have several programs to help offset the costs of running an internship.
Complete our Partnership Interest Form and we will reach out to help match you with the right opportunity, campus, or program.
Partnership Interest Form
Looking for Internship or Other Hands-On Learning Experience?
Questions? Connect with our Director of Internships and Employer Partnerships, Brandon K. Aldous, at brandon.aldous@suny.edu or call 518-320-1695.
