Searching for Co-op and Internship Opportunities
Remember: Your first step in this process should be to attend the Introduction to Internships and Co-ops workshop. These workshops are offered most Mondays and Thursdays at 3 p.m. in 508 Goodell Building (see Event Calendar for details).
Students find field experience opportunities in a variety of ways.
- Through a faculty member with professional connections in your field.
- Through your part-time job.
- By networking with friends, family, or current and former employers. Go to Making Professional Connections for tips on networking.
- By researching and contacting companies for whom you’d like to work. Many are open to internships and will appreciate your initiative.
- Through online internship postings (such as eRecruiting and the Web sites below).
eRecruiting
As a student at UMass Amherst you have access to eRecruiting, an interactive database that allows you to search for co-ops, internships (and jobs, when the time comes) all over the country. You may also use it to search for international experiences.
Download and print our How to Use eRecruiting for a handy guide.
Go to the UMass Amherst eRecruiting portal to get started. Once inside you’ll find it very user friendly. You can create searches specific to your needs or use the quick search buttons for internships and co-ops in general.
First-Time Login to eRecruiting
The eRecruiting portal page provides instructions, but the following overview will give you an idea of what to expect.
To log in for the first time use the following default user name and password.
user name = uma + your 8-digit SPIRE ID number
(example: uma12345678)
password = your 8-digit SPIRE ID number
Follow on-screen prompts to complete any missing information in your record. Red dots indicate required information.
How to Search
- Go to the Jobs and Internships tab.
- Choose the opportunity type first. In our database the opportunities are listed as:
• Co-ops (PAID, temporary positions)
• Internships (UNPAID, temporary positions)
• Jobs (permanent, part time or full time, requiring a degree) - Do not be too specific. Initially, do not indicate any keywords. Instead, search only by desired major and city and state.
- Click on Search and browse the listings. Then go back and customize your search if need be.
Guidelines for Searching
- Think broadly about the types of positions you are seeking.
If you are interested in working in the legal field, do not just look under “law,” but also consider “advocacy,” “conflict resolution,” “criminal justice,” “political organization/lobbying,” and “community service.” - Hold down the control key to make multiple selections.
- Summer placements are more competitive than regular semester placements. Try to be flexible.
- International students – check with the International Programs Office before pursuing a position.
Other Field Experience Web Sites
You may also find field experience opportunities through the following Web sites.
Broadcast Internships
The Carter Center
Good Works
InternSearch
The Internship Search Engine
MonsterTrak Listings
Monsterboard
National Archives and Records Administration
Google
Enter “city, state, internships” such as “San Antonio internships”
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
Includes articles about choosing and making the most of co-ops and internships.
National Council on Public History
Nonprofit
Nonprofit Career Network
Rising Star Internships
Smithsonian
Over 235 departments at the Smithsonian offer a total of 600 internships per year.
Temporary Housing
