Sections
Gaining Experience
Internships and Volunteering
Students frequently think of internships and volunteer work as distinct types of experience. Interning is seen as the first step in securing a full-time position with the internship employer, or with an employer of similar status. Volunteer work is considered less prestigious, less substantial and less likely to lead to employment. Volunteers, it is assumed, are always unpaid.
However, internships and volunteer work are not so clearly differentiated. Both internships and volunteer work are usually entry level and short term. Some internships are very well-regarded and allow interns to develop valuable skills, but the same can be said of a number of volunteer positions. A few internships pay well, but most are low paying or unpaid. In some instances, volunteers receive stipends, honoraria or other forms of pay. The lack of clear differentiation is reflected by how corporations, institutions and organizations list their positions. Increasingly, these experiences are listed together as "volunteer/internship positions" or even "volunteer internships."
Consequently, your search for career preparatory experience should include consideration of both internships and volunteer work. As you look for positions, make sure you evaluate what you will be doing on a day-to-day basis. Recognize that when it is time to list your experience on your resume, you will not only list where you interned or volunteered, but also your duties and accomplishments. This approach will help you determine whether or not a particular internship or volunteer position is relevant to your career goals.
Students are encouraged to discuss their internship and volunteer interests with a Global Studies advisor. Advisors are happy to brainstorm options with students. Moreover, students can ask advisors for feedback regarding internship application preparation and submission. International and Global Studies majors should also take GLBL 199: Field Work Preparation to work through a self-assessment of goals, skills and knowledge, and research internships/service opportunities that match their goals and strengths. In addition to preparing application materials for specific opportunities, students will make a plan on how they can connect their field experience to their academic program through a research project.
Please read the disclaimer regarding the links below.
Local Resources:
- ACDIS internships database
- AIESEC Illinois
- Alternative Spring Break
- Career Center Internship Page
- Charles P. Wolff Memorial Internship (on campus)
- CIBER Job List
- College of LAS Internship Page
- CUVolunteer.org
- East Central Illinois Refugee Mutual Assistance Center
- IAESTE Illinois
- Illinois Green Business Association
- Illinois in Washington
- Illinois Leadership
- Intensive English Institute's Conversation Partners
- International Impact
- Office of International Programs & Studies
- Office of Volunteer Programs
- Spanish and Illinois
- Student Affairs Internships
- Vis-a-Vis
- Volunteer Illini Projects
Opportunities Elsewhere:
The following is a very brief list of internship and volunteer opportunities. Many of the opportunities listed below require particular skills, areas of specialization and, in a few cases, graduate work. Consequently, you should look into opportunities well in advance and prepare accordingly.
Business
U.S. Government
- U.S. Agency for International Development
- National Security Agency
- Peace Corps
- U.S. Commercial Service
- U.S. State Department
- U.S. Trade Representative
Intergovernmental Organizations
- International Monetary Fund
- Organization for Econ. Cooperation & Development
- NATO
- United Nations (New York)
- United Nations Development Programme
- World Bank
- World Health Organization
Nongovernmental Organizations
- Amnesty International
- Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
- CARE
- Carter Center
- Chicago Council on Global Affairs
- Doctors Without Borders
- Human Rights Watch
- Oxfam America
- Teach for America Summer Positions
Other Opportunities
- Amigos de Las Americas
- Amizade
- BUNAC
- Idealist.org
- Intern Abroad
- International Volunteer Programs Assoc.
- Sparkseed
- World Teach
Librarians at the Business and Economics Library can help you use the Corporate Affiliations Database. This database searches listings and contact information of foreign companies with offices in the United States, and it allows for sorting by country of origin. You should also get to know campus organizations relevant to your country or professional interest. Often these organizations will have information related to employment in the respective countries or with U.S. organizations looking for particular language skills.
For additional internship and career ideas please see the Global Studies Language Links.
Disclaimer: Links and information are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be endorsements of the individual organizations. Employees and agents of The University of Illinois are not responsible for errors contained within these linked sites or any actions taken in reliance thereon. Global Studies, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and The University of Illinois make no claim that the information provided within these linked sites is accurate or current. Global Studies, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the University of Illinois, and its employees and agents take no responsibility for any direct, indirect, consequential, or punitive damages resulting from the user's access to or reliance on the information provided on this website or any linked.
