Information for Employers

The Mount Ida Campus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst provides a Boston-area center for student experiential learning opportunities and industry collaboration.

The campus offers students a suburban Boston base from which to pursue internships and cooperative education positions (co-ops) important to their career preparation, while helping to address the growing need for talent in areas that drive the state economy. 

Housing options on the Mount Ida Campus will be made available for students who seek these opportunities. For employers who would like to reach this pool of interested students, UMass Amherst uses online portals where employers can register, as well as post-internship, co-op, and other employment opportunities.

 

Recruiting Candidates From UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst uses the online platform Handshake to connect students with employers.

Access to Handshake

Employers can post a job or internship, and students can search and apply according to the directions. Employers can set application deadlines, collect résumés, source and select candidates, and set up on-campus interviews (if interested), all within Handshake. Employers can also post regional informational events and register for UMass career fairs, so be sure to add your profile to the system today. Many employers may already have free Handshake accounts.

Please add the University of Massachusetts Amherst as a school so you can post jobs and internships.

 

Considering a UMass Amherst Intern?

With nearly 25,000 undergraduates across 10 colleges and 90 majors on the flagship campus in Amherst, there is a wealth of opportunity to hire UMass students for internships or co-ops. However, there are a few important considerations before you initiate your search. The Mount Ida Campus in Newton does not enroll students directly. Students enroll at UMass Amherst and choose to spend a semester or summer on the Mount Ida Campus to pursue a professional development opportunity. Hiring students takes a bit of advance planning because they must arrange their schedules to allow for the relocation.

Other considerations:

  • The best time to post internship and co-op positions is when students are selecting their courses for the following semester. Here are those dates:
    • Mid-April – course selection for Fall
    • Early November – course selection for Spring
  • Summer internship postings can happen at any point during the year, but it is recommended that they be posted to Handshake early in the calendar year.
  • Each of our 10 colleges has its own Career Center, which communicates with students regularly about internship/co-op opportunities.

 

Types of Experiential Learning/Field Experience

 

Co-op

  • A co-op is a paid, four- to nine-month position directly related to a student’s major.*
  • Co-ops can take place during a semester or a semester plus a winter/summer break period.
  • A co-op is an official contract between the student, the employer, and the university. In addition to signing the co-op contract, employers must complete a final evaluation form for each student.
  • Although the student does not enroll in classes, he/she is put on “co-op” status and is considered a full-time student.
  • International students can participate in co-ops, though eligibility varies by department.

Internship/Practicum

  • An internship may relate directly to a student’s major, or it can be an exploration of interest in a career field.
  • An internship should support learning with ongoing supervision.
  • Internships can be full-time or part-time; paid or unpaid; for credit or not; during a semester, summer, or winter break.
  • If the internship is for academic credit, students and supervisors must comply with contract specifications.*
  • International students can participate in internships, as they consult with IPO to obtain work authorization (CPT).

 

*Students participating in internships-for-credit and University-approved co-ops are covered under the University’s General Liability Policy.

In addition to internships and co-ops, there are other types of experiential learning such as externships, job shadowing, service learning, residency, and student design projects.

 

 

Career Development and Professional Connections Hub

UMass Amherst has eight career centers that are organized by college and major. Each career center offers a comprehensive array of services for students, including résumé and cover letter workshops, interview preparation, and networking advice. For employers: We will partner with you to assist in finding the right fit for your internships, co-ops, and/or job openings. Job fairs and on-campus interviewing opportunities are numerous. Contact us at:

 413-545-2224
 careerservices [at] umass [dot] edu
 www.umass.edu/careers