More Ways to Get Experience

Many of our students feel overwhelmed when they first come to UT because they need to build up their resume with new college-level experiences. Here is a list of ideas to help you get experience, build your resume, and explore your career! 

If you haven't already, make sure to sign up for the CNS Experiential Learning Listserv to hear about new opportunities! 

Internships & On-Campus Jobs:

• The best way to find internships and on-campus jobs is through Handshake (our UT jobs platform). Make sure you try keywords other than your major when searching for jobs to find the all available options that would be a good fit for you! 

Research Experience:

• Our Guide on How to Get Into Research at UT
• TIDES Getting Started in Undergraduate Research Guide
• Summer Research Programs and Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs)
• National Science Foundation REU Database

Special Interest Internship Programs:

• IE Pre-Graduate School Internships - Not sure if grad school is the right path for you? Do a Pre-Grad Internships to find out what grad school is like! 
• Archer Fellowship Program – Government internships in DC in Fall and Spring (applications due mid-February)
• Bridging Disciplines Certificate Program – includes 1-2 internships in certificate (applications due every October and March)
• Parker Dewey Microinternships - Micro-Internships with Parker Dewey are short-term, paid, professional projects open to all college students and recent graduates of U.S.-based institutions. From working directly with an entrepreneur to supporting a large enterprise, you’ll have the opportunity to explore different roles and company cultures as you gain valuable experience.
• UT Inventors Program - Interested in Entrepreneurship? The UT Inventors Program empowers you and a team of fellow STEM undergraduates to turn scientific discovery into societal impact. 

Teaching, Mentoring, & Leadership Experience On Campus:

• Biology Undergraduate Teaching Assistant - click "UGTA" link on the left side under "Work With Us"
• Longhorn Wellness Peer Educators 
• CNS Career Service Peer Career Coaches (spring application)
• FIG Mentor (fall application)
• FRI Peer Mentor 
• Interpersonal Peer Violence Supporter
• Title IX Peer-to-Peer Facilitators
• Peers for Pride (fall and spring application)
• Pre-Health Professions Peer Coaches (spring application)
• CNS TIP Peer Mentors (TIP students only) 
• Student Conduct and Academic Integrity Peer Ambassadors 
• Sanger Learning Center: Tutors, Supplemental Instruction (SI) leader, Peer Academic Coaches, Public Speaking Peers, and more! 
• Spark Leadership
• Pathways to Leadership
• Project Advance Austin
• Longhorn Impact Fellowship (LIFT)

Programs for Pre-Med and Health Professions:

• Summer & Abroad Programs from UT Health Professions Office
• Gap Year Planning from UT Health Professions Office
• Shadowing & Volunteering from UT Health Professions Office
• UHS Clinic Volunteer

Need to Learn a Skills to Join Your Field or Industry of Interest?

• Learn a new skill through LinkedIn Learning (free for all current UT students and staff)
• Interested in learning how to code? Check out Khan Academy, Free Code Camp, Coursera, and more. (No need to pay! There are lots of ways to learn to code for free.) More information can be found in our Technical Career Resources Guide.

Academic Competitions: 

• Take part in an academic competition or Hack-a-thon to put your skills to the test. Use Google to find options in your field. More information can be found in our Technical Career Resources Guide.
• Join in a Science Sprint or Inventors Sprint through the CNS TIDES Office at UT. You'll join a team of other UT students to solve a problem together over the course of a Saturday.

Join a Student Organization: 

• It really doesn't matter which student org you join as long as you picked something you are interested in. Then, make sure you get as involved as you can and even get a leadership role if possible. Find UT Student Orgs through HornsLink!

Volunteer with Your Community:

• It really doesn't matter which organization, community, or non-profit you work with as long as you picked something you are interested in. Then, make sure you get as involved as you can and even get a leadership role if possible. 

Get a Part-Time Job: 

• Part time jobs are extremely valuable to employers when reviewing the applications of students or recent grads. A part time job shows professionalism and responsibility along with all the skills you actually learned in the job. Some students are unsure whether a part time job like working food service, as a nanny or working the  front desk in an office is actually worth putting on their resume. It is definitely worth it!

Looking for more ideas? Check out the CNS TIDES Engage Guide to Experiential Learning with specific resources and programs for each CNS major. 

Interstride - For International Students Looking for US Jobs

Interstride provides a one-stop shop for international students, including visa and immigration information; companies that sponsor employment visas; guidance on intercultural networking; job listings, real-time hiring trends, and employer information; and tailored assessment tests. The tool can also be used by domestic students interested in careers abroad.