Internship & Job Search

Find What's Next

Whether you’re applying for your first internship or getting ready for full-time opportunities after graduation, your job search is a process — and you don’t have to do it alone. From building your application materials to preparing for interviews, Penn State Career Services offers the tools and support to help you succeed.

Start with a Game Plan

Not sure where to begin? You don't need to know exactly what you want to start searching, just be curious and proactive.

Think about the kind of experience you want: industry, location, and responsibilities.
Build or update your résumé and get it reviewed.
Explore job boards, company websites, and Nittany Lion Careers.
Set aside dedicated time each week to apply and follow up.

Students canoeing on Lake Perez at Stone Valley

Penn State Search Resources

Smart Search Strategies

Make your search work smarter–not harder. Finding the right internship or job can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategy, you’ll avoid burnout and make progress. Be intentional and focused.

: Consistency is key. Treat your search like a class — block off time in your weekly schedule to look for positions, apply, and follow up. Even 30–60 minutes a few days a week can keep your momentum going.

You don’t need all the answers — just start asking the right questions:

What kind of work excites you?
What values or industries matter most to you?
Are you open to relocation or remote work?

Use these questions to guide your search and filter opportunities that align with your goals.

Don’t use the same resume and cover letter for every position. Customize your materials with keywords from the job description and examples that highlight your fit for that specific role.

Need help getting started? Get guidance on creating your resume and cover letter here.

: Use a spreadsheet or tracker to keep tabs on where you’ve applied, deadlines, follow-up actions, and interview dates. Staying organized helps reduce stress and keeps things from falling through the cracks.

Talk to professors, advisors, former classmates, or family friends — anyone in your network might help spark a connection or opportunity. Penn State’s alumni network is powerful — use it!

Connect with Penn State alumni mentors using LionLink

: After you apply or meet a recruiter, follow up within a week. A short, polite message reaffirms your interest and helps you stand out in a crowded pool.

Nittany Lion Careers

Penn State’s career and internship portal connects you with employers recruiting specifically from our student body. You’ll find part-time jobs, internships, and full-time positions — some with on-campus interviews.

Special Considerations in the Search

Not every job or internship search looks the same. Your academic path, citizenship status, or post-grad plans might impact your search process—and that’s okay.

Navigating work authorization, visa requirements, or employer eligibility? Be sure to check in with Global Programs and Career Services early. Many companies are open to hiring international students but may not be familiar with the steps involved—knowing your options helps you confidently guide those conversations.

Understand Eligibility

Connect with your academic advisor through International Student and Scholar Advising, (ISSA) to discuss specific and updated immigration advise to determine your eligibility to work in the United States during school or after graduation. You can make an appointment on Starfish.

Advocate and Educate

Some organizations may be unfamiliar with hiring an international student. Be your own advocate and educate employers with accurate information. Always be honest and up-front about your status. Be prepared to explain what that means for you and your employer if they choose to hire you. When asked, always include complete and accurate visa information. Educate employers on the process of hiring and what they may need to research. Become familiar with resources that you can also share with potential employers

International Student Job Search Resources

Federal, state, and local government jobs often follow structured timelines and require additional steps like security clearances, background checks, or civil service exams. If you’re considering this path, start early, understand USAJobs.gov, and tailor your materials accordingly.

Government Job Search Resources

Finishing a master’s or doctoral degree opens up new career paths—but the search may look different than it did after undergrad. Many graduate students pursue highly specialized roles, postdocs, or professional research positions, and timelines can vary widely depending on your discipline.

Academic Job Search Resources

You deserve a workplace where you can thrive. If you're seeking employers who align with your values or support your identity, consider identity-based career resources and job boards to find a place that is welcoming.

Identity and Inclusive Job Search Resources

Advocacy and Employment Rights

Deciding what to share—and when—is a personal decision, especially if you're navigating a disability, identity, or past conduct issue. You’re not required to disclose personal details unless it directly affects your ability to perform essential job duties or meet legal requirements, but there may be moments when choosing to share certain information can help you find a workplace that supports your full self.

Disclosure in the Job Search Resources

You bring a unique set of skills and experiences to the table. Using a combination of general resources and those specific for veterans gives you leverage when searching for your next career opportunity.

Military Job Search Resources

Find Career Support at Penn State

Penn State is home to career offices at the university-wide, college, and campus level. Regardless of what you need help with or where you are in your career readiness journey, professional support is available to help.

Connect with a Career Office

Avoiding Job Scams

Financial and phishing scams are happening more frequently on job posting sites or via email. These scams impact Penn State students daily and it's your responsibility to research and work with trusted offices to avoid falling prey to sophisticated scams. If it seems too good to be true — it probably is.

The “employer” contacts you using a G-mail or non-company email.
You’re asked to pay money or buy gift cards.
They want personal or banking info right away.
There's little to no detail about job duties.
They pressure you to act quickly to avoid losing the opportunity.

Take a few minutes to do some quick research and review.

Look at the email address that sent you the information. Is everything spelled correctly? Does the sent address match others from the organization?
Review the email contents. Look for awkward wording, misspellings, or grammatical errors.
Google it. Search the company to see what others are saying about the organization or try to find a recruiter on Linkedin and see if their title aligns with the email or other postings.

Report any emails coming to your Penn State email to Penn State IT by forwarding to phishing@psu.edu. It helps keep you and everyone else on campus safe.
Connect with a career office to see if others report similar messages. Usually multiple students get the same content or copy; a career professional can help you vet and verify.

It can happen to anyone but it's important to take immediate action if you think you've been scammed. It is important to act immediately.

Report the issue
Report the incident to phishing@psu.edu, your campus security, and to a Career Services office immediately. This prevents others from being harmed and allows professionals to investigate the issue.
Protect your finances
If you've provided your banking or credit card information, contact your financial institution right away to stop activity on the account. Let them know you've been compromised.
Stop contact
Discontinue any further contact with the fraudulent party. Block any email addresses or phone numbers related to these postings.

: Penn State Career Services and related offices exert all reasonable effort to check the legitimacy of employers and validity of posted jobs and internships. However, due to the volume of job postings received, Career Services is unable to fully research the legitimacy and validity of each organization or person that posts a job vacancy or to guarantee that all jobs are still available.
Penn State Career Services and related offices make no guarantee about positions listed and are not responsible for safety, wages, working conditions, or other aspects of employment. It is the responsibility of each individual job seeker to research the integrity of the organization(s) to which they are applying and verify the specific information pertaining to the job posting. Job seekers should exercise due diligence and use common sense and caution when applying or accepting any position.
For your privacy and protection when applying to a job online, it is advisable that you do not give your social security number to a prospective employer, provide credit card or bank account information, or perform any sort of monetary transaction.
All concerns and issues related to job or internship opportunities on Penn State posting boards should be addressed promptly via email.

Keep the Momentum

Career development isn’t a one-and-done task — it’s a series of steps. Whether you’re working part-time on campus, shadowing professionals, volunteering, or interning, you’re building the experience that makes your story stronger.