The best colleges prepare students for a career by helping them obtain hands-on experience through internships, externships, and cooperative education (co-op) programs.
The Princeton Review recently published “Colleges That Pay You Back: 2016 Edition,” which includes a list of the best schools for internships. The ranking was determined by students’ ratings of accessibility of internship placement at their school.
From career fairs and workshops to alumni mentorships and shadowing, these 25 colleges give their students all the resources they need to score the perfect internship.
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25. St. Lawrence University
Location: Canton, New York
St. Lawrence’s “Shadow a Saint” program matches students with an alum to shadow for up to a week, and through Laurentians in Residence, alumni and parent leaders are invited to campus for class presentations, panel discussions, networking, and mentoring.
Students who secure an unpaid summer internship can apply for the Internship Fellowship Award to offset the costs of living and transportation.
24. University of Georgia
Location: Athens, Georgia
In addition to full-time and part-time job postings, UGA‘s DAWGLink also lists internship opportunities. The Intern For A Day program allows students to shadow a professional to explore career interests.
Forty-eight percent of UGA students obtain their internship through networking, and top employers include Target, AT&T, Aflac, and Cox.
23. Bradley University
Location: Peoria, Illinois
One of Bradley‘s greatest strengths is assisting students with the job and internship search, according to Princeton Review. “Professors have been excellent resources during [our] college career[s] and have helped land internships,” said one student.
The school’s dynamic co-op and internship program recognizes five students each year who’ve had outstanding experiences. Past winners interned at OSF Healthcare, American Red Cross, and SpaceX.
