At Fordham University, experiential learning is an essential part of the educational experience, giving students the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world work environments. Through internships, research, mentoring, job shadowing, leadership, service, and other hands-on opportunities, students can explore their interests and gain a better sense of their goals while developing new workplace skills and industry knowledge.

The Fordham Internship Promise

Fordham University is committed to ensuring that every student has access to meaningful internship and experiential learning opportunities. Through the Fordham Internship Promise, the university pledges to connect students with the resources, support, and guidance they need to gain real-world experience before graduation, which includes opportunities beyond traditional internships. 

Explore opportunities across Fordham in research, service, community engagement, study abroad, and career development.

Connect with these departments to find an experience that fits your interests and goals! 

Career Center: Internships, career programs & employer connections

Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL): Service, community engagement & mentoring

Study Abroad: Global internships & international experiences

Fordham College Undergraduate Research: Faculty research & research opportunities

Gabelli Personal & Professional Development: Career development, advising & employer engagement

Why should I get an internship?

Internships are one of the best ways to explore a potential career. 

Through an internship, you can:

• Gain hands-on experience and develop practical skills in your field
• Explore career paths and discover what you actually want to do
• Build a professional network that can open doors throughout your career
• Strengthen your resume and graduate school applications
• Develop the career readiness competencies employers are looking for

How can I find an internship?

There’s no one right way to find an internship.

• Explore opportunities: Search for internships through Handshake, RamConnect, and Serving the City.

• Show up and connect: Attend career fairs, information sessions, and networking events to meet employers and learn about opportunities.

• Build your network: Talk with friends, family, classmates, and professors. All conversations can be a building block for future experiences! 

• Get guidance: Meet with a career counselor for personalized advice, resources, and support as you search. 

How do I know an opportunity is a good fit?

Finding an internship is about more than finding an interesting opportunity. Before applying or accepting an offer, take time to understand what the internship involves and make sure it is a good fit for your interests, goals, and availability.

Before applying, carefully review:

• Internship responsibilities and daily tasks
• Required and preferred qualifications
• Weekly hours and schedule expectations
• Internship format (in-person, hybrid, or virtual)
• Compensation details (paid, unpaid, stipend, or academic credit)
• Internship dates and deadlines
• Supervisor or team structure

Watch for fraudulent job postings

We screen all job postings from employers before they are approved on Handshake. However, some fraudulent opportunities may still reach students through email or other channels. Do not click on links or provide personal information if a job offer seems suspicious.

Be cautious if a job offer:

• Offers you a job without ever interacting with you
• Offers to pay a large amount for very little work or sends you a check before you do any work
• Requires you to pay for training, fees, equipment, or other expenses before you begin
• Asks you to transfer money from one account to another or send a payment by wire service or courier
• Asks for your credit card or bank account numbers or copies of personal documents
• Comes from a personal email account, such as Gmail or Hotmail, rather than an organizational email address

If you have questions or concerns about your internship search or experience at a current internship, please call our office at 718-817-4350 (RH) or 212-636-6280 (LC). You can also make an appointment with a career counselor through your Handshake account.

What to know about unpaid internships

Unpaid internships can provide valuable experience, but it is important to understand your rights and the expectations for an unpaid position. We encourage students to seek academic credit for unpaid internships whenever possible. 

Our office expects employers to follow the U.S. Department of Labor’s standards for internship programs under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Before accepting an unpaid internship, students should review these standards and regulations to understand how they apply.

For further questions about whether an unpaid internship meets these standards or about your rights as an intern, please contact [email protected] for guidance.

 

FAQs