Internship Opportunities

Internships provide students with the opportunity to apply skills and knowledge acquired in the classroom to real-world situations; increase their knowledge of practical approaches to dealing with urban problems and issues; and gain increased understanding of the manner in which policy is formulated and implemented by organizations and agencies dealing with the urban environment. 

Internships may be done for the experience alone, which is invaluable, or for academic credit in addition to experience. If you are not seeking academic credit, explore our list of external internships and/or do your own search for a position that matches your interests.

If you are seeking academic credit, the School of Urban Studies offers the opportunity to complete an internship from a curated list with faculty support to help you connect the experience to your studies.

Before being allowed to register for the internship course, you must apply to and be selected for an internship. You will then complete a School of Urban Studies Internship contract outlining details of the participating organization; student, faculty supervisor, and site supervisor responsibilities; learning objectives; and academic requirements. During the internship, you will submit a variety of assignments linking your internship experiences with what you’ve been learning in your other Urban Studies and Sustainable Urban Development classes. This work will be evaluated by the faculty supervisor.

Internships may be paid or unpaid and payment has no bearing on the granting of credit. Except in rare cases, an internship at a student's current employer will not be approved for credit. 
 

To complete an internship for academic credit, choose an internship(s) from our list, complete the application(s), then, if chosen, complete the registration process with your academic advisor. 

Please complete the following steps in order:

Step 1: Get ready

• Confirm eligibility by checking in with the School of Urban Studies advisor. You must be a major in Urban Studies, Sustainable Urban Development, or Urban Design, in good academic standing, with at least 20 credits of classes toward your major to be considered. You may be asked to schedule an appointment.
• Consider the type of setting in which you want to work, what you hope to learn or focus on, and any limitations that you need to work around (care duties, other jobs, etc.).
• Consult the Urban Studies website for a list of available internship opportunities (Link coming soon!).

Step 2: Apply

• Select up to three positions for which you would like to apply and request the required application forms by emailing uwturban@uw.edu. Include the name of the host organization (including department, if applicable). 

• Submit completed applications to the School of Urban Studies (uwturban@uw.edu) no later than the dates listed here for review by faculty and the community partner hosting the internship. You will be notified of the decision and, if selected, asked to proceed to the next step.

  Application Deadlines:
  Autumn Quarter - September 1
  Winter Quarter - December 1
  Spring Quarter - February 1
  Summer Quarter - May 1

Step 3: Get registered

• If you are offered an internship, work with the Urban Studies advisor to complete the appropriate internship contract form. 
• The completed and signed contracts must be submitted to the School of Urban Studies a minimum of three weeks before the start of the quarter.
• You will be registered for the class upon submission of completed paperwork.

1. Start early! Begin exploring opportunities the quarter before you plan to apply. You can also get your resume and LinkedIn profile ready anytime so you don’t have to do that work later.
2. Prepare your materials: Review position descriptions carefully and prepare a strong application. Try to avoid waiting for the deadline to apply.
3. Understand the context: Internships are competitive and host organizations are involved in the review of applications; therefore, keep in mind that not all students will automatically qualify for posted internships.
4. Be prepared to represent yourself and the school well: As interns through this program, you are representatives of the School of Urban Studies and UW Tacoma. To be considered for these positions, applicants must be in good academic standing. In order to be selected for an internship, applicants must submit carefully prepared application materials and successfully navigate the application and interview process.
5. Take advantage of UWT’s Career Development & Education. They can help you with preparing to apply and interview. They can also help with how to present yourself well in a job setting and make the most out of this opportunity for professional and personal growth.
6. Connect with your academic advisor. Not sure what kind of opportunity might be right for you? Need help navigating the process? Have other questions? Your advisor can help.
7. Be sure you can commit to the time it will take to represent yourself and your program well. The internship class is 5 credits; generally, 3 hours of work per week is equal to 1 credit (so you should budget roughly 15 hours per week for a 5-credit internship). You will be expected to show up to the hours you commit to and do your best. Treat this learning opportunity like a job.
8. Be flexible in your planning. Since internship placement is not guaranteed and opportunities vary by quarter, you may wish to be flexible in the quarter or quarters you plan to apply.

Finding an Internship
School of Urban Studies Careers page For non-credit internships and entry-level jobs.
UW Tacoma Career Development & Education
Association of Washington Cities

Create an electronic Portfolium

Information for Employers
If you would like to set up an internship, please contact uwturban@uw.edu.