Careers & Internships
Internships
Internships are valuable opportunities to explore different career options, expand your professional network, build your resume, and bolster your chance of securing a good job after graduation. Internships can be local, national, international, or virtual. They can be paid or unpaid, full or part-time, for academic credit or not. It’s never too early to start thinking about internships!
Examples of where Jackson School students have interned:
- Amazon
- Atlantic Council Young Global Professionals Internship Program
- City of Seattle
- Consulate General of Canada in Seattle
- International Rescue Committee
- King County
- KUOW 94.9
- National Bureau of Asian Research
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Port of Seattle
- Seattle Art Museum
- The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy
- The Washington Center
- Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle
- United Nations
- U.S. Consulate General in Vancouver
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Executive Office of the President
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- Washington State Governor’s Office
- Washington State Legislative Internship Program
- World Affairs Council
How do I find an internship?
First, watch this video! The students interviewed by the University of Washington Career & Internship Center (UW CIC) give excellent tips on how to find an internship and what to expect during your search.
The students in this video mention HuskyJobs a lot which is now Handshake. Login to uw.joinhandshake.com using your UWNetID to gain access to thousands of job and internship opportunities. If you’re an international student, you will want to also login to Interstride to find jobs and internships in the U.S. and around the world.
As a Jackson School major, you automatically receive the JSIS-JOBS email newsletter that features jobs, internships, fellowships, and career events. The opportunities in this newsletter are a sampling of what’s out there, so if you’re actively searching for an internship, check the sites posted in every JSIS-JOBS newsletter to find more opportunities.
After you watch the video, check out the UW CIC’s Internships page to find more videos, tips, and resources.
What if I get an unpaid internship?
Unpaid internships can be just as valuable as paid internships for learning and gaining real-world work skills and experiences. If you’ve secured an unpaid (or low paid) internship, consider applying for a Jackson School Internship Scholarship. They’re available every quarter, and you can learn how to apply here.
Can I get course credit for my internship?
Yes! You can register for JSIS 497: Internship. You will need to plan ahead, fill out the application, and get an add code from the instructor prior to the quarter in which you start working at your internship.
I’m an international student. Can I do an off-campus internship?
Yes, you can, but you must plan ahead, register for JSIS 497: Internship (see above), and then request a CPT (Curricular Practical Training) from International Student Services (ISS). Contact your ISS adviser if you have questions.
NOTE: International students must be registered for at least two (2) JSIS 497: Internship credits to be able to qualify for CPT. Also, if you’re a graduate student and do not have JSIS funding for the quarter in which you’re working at an internship, you will need to pay for those course credits out of pocket.
I have more questions about internships.
Send your questions to jsisjobs@uw.edu.