‘A foot in the door’

Classroom instruction is foundational to many professional careers. But an internship or other work-based learning experience can give students practical experience in their chosen fields as well as a leg up in the job market.

Erin Russi, a rising junior majoring in History with minors in Legal Studies, Honors and Communication Studies, interned this summer with the Chesapeake office of the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission, a network of 29 public-defender offices throughout the commonwealth.

Her day-to-day duties involved shadowing a different attorney each week. “I got to experience Traffic, General District, Juvenile and Domestic Relations, and Circuit Court, see behind the scenes of trial and court operations, and witness countless cases before judges,” Russi said. “Then I went back to the office and assisted with assignments, evidence, paperwork, and calling clients.”

Her favorite part? The hands-on experience and the mentorship of the attorneys. “The entire staff was extremely patient with me and eager to explain their career, and the routine and vocabulary of the court,” she said.

Sydney Bezelik, a senior Media Arts and Design major with a concentration in Creative Advertising, is honing her photography skills as an intern with another type of court — the NBA.

“I really wanted to see the backend of the photography business within the National Basketball Association and determine whether that was an avenue I wanted to explore,” she said.

“Every day is different,” Bezelik said of the experience. “I get to shadow game-day editors, assist with the setup and breakdown of photoshoots, and even get to travel to big events … like the 2026 NBA Draft, the WNBA Commissioners Cup, WNBA All-Star Game and the NBA Summer League.” When she’s not covering events, she’s digging through the league’s digital and film archives to respond to client requests.

James Clark, a senior Mechanical Engineering major, is working as a field-engineer intern with Turner Construction Co. A typical day on the job for him includes meetings with superintendents and subcontractors as well as site visits to review safety procedures and production.  

“All of my preconceptions of construction were blown out of the water, even after being here for such a short time,” Clark said. “I truly have the opportunity to see the functions of the different roles, from project executive all the way to quality control on site.”

Hands-on

According to JMU’s most recent Career Outcomes Survey, 84% of graduates in the Class of 2025 completed an internship, practicum, student teaching, clinical work or research project as part of their studies. JMU’s new strategic plan, The Madison Promise, lists among its goals for 2040 having every student participate in at least one work-based learning experience (WBLE) prior to graduation.

JMU defines a WBLE as “a hands-on experience in an applied context that increases knowledge and skills necessary for discipline-focused career readiness.” To qualify, the experience must:

• increase field-related knowledge and skills
• be supervised by a professional in the field who provides oversight and guides the student’s experience
• occur in a context beyond the classroom

Anna Maria Johnson, associate director of work-based learning experiences at JMU, says WBLEs are available to students year-round, on campus and off, and they can be structured as remote, hybrid, or in-person depending on individual needs.

One of the ways the University Career Center makes these opportunities known to students is through Handshake, JMU’s online career-services platform. All JMU students have access to Handshake, where they can fill out profiles, receive internship invitations, and search for relevant opportunities, with the support of their career advisors, Johnson said.

Faculty are a valuable resource for discipline-specific WBLEs, and some professors are working with the Career Center’s Course Design Institute to integrate work-based learning experiences into their courses.

Anna Marie Smith, assistant professor of industrial design, participated in the inaugural WBLE Faculty Fellows program in Fall 2025, and in the spring semester, students in her Special Topics in Industrial Design class gained valuable experience by researching and designing products for a medical device company. The project involved external partners who provided feedback and guidance, allowing the students to iterate on their work.

Students also discover WBLEs through personal and professional networks. For Clark, it was a personal connection that helped him “get his foot in the door” at Turner Construction. Bezelik landed her internship in the NBA with the help of a former colleague and mentor, and by building relationships in the industry through LinkedIn.

Creating a meaningful experience

Emma Gibbons, assistant director for internships in the Career Center, works with students, faculty and employers to provide meaningful work-based learning experiences. A successful internship, she says, includes three components: supervision, mentorship and exploration.

Effective supervision involves “understanding students’ strengths and weaknesses, meeting them where they are, and guiding them through what may be unfamiliar tasks,” such as cold-calling or creating content, she said.

The best mentors tend to be someone other than the student’s supervisor, Gibbons said, adding mentors offer a space for discussion of an intern’s experiences, challenges and career fit.

Finally, internships should offer students opportunities to explore various aspects of a workplace to help them determine their interests and suitability for a given field, Gibbons said. “There’s value in students trying new tasks and learning both what they enjoy and what they do not,” she said.

This summer, Gibbons coordinated the launch of the inaugural Madison Micro Internship Program. The program provides shorter-term learning opportunities with small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding areas. Participating organizations included Paws and Kisses Pet Care, Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center, Augusta Harvest Market, Front Royal Cardinals Baseball, New Directions Center, First Tee, Vijana Africa, and Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services.

Gibbons said employers value JMU students for their creativity, problem-solving skills, community involvement and teamwork, making the university a desirable source for internship candidates.

To help offset the costs of full-time, unpaid internships, the Career Center offers a scholarship program that has been in place since 2017. Students can request up to $4,000, with the number of recipients varying from 15 to 30 per semester depending on available funds, income status and other factors.

Start early, ‘be persistent’

Gibbons says it’s important for students to begin exploring internship opportunities early, as soon as the summer after their freshman year. Volunteer work or micro internships can help prepare them for more competitive placements later in their academic careers.

Russi agrees. “Apply early,” she said. “And once you land an opportunity, don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

When it comes to landing internships, “be persistent,” Bezelik advised. “I applied to over 100 internships last year and got to the final round of interviews with just two. Sometimes there won’t be an answer as to why a company may reject you, but rejection is always just redirection.”

“Go for what you love and don’t be afraid of connections,” Clark said. “Most importantly, push yourself to do as much as you can and learn as much as you can. That will be the difference between you and other interns.”