Hardworking Spartans don’t stop grinding when summer break begins. Thanks to UNC Greensboro’s faculty and alumni connections, and support from Career & Professional Development (CPD), many students use the break between semesters for hands-on experience in their desired fields.
“We build lasting partnerships with alumni, employers, and community organizations, so students have real pathways into internships and early career opportunities,” says Niki Mann, CPD’s associate director of employer relations. “CPD partners with students throughout their search, offering guidance, resources, and connections that help them identify and pursue opportunities, and we work with employers to make sure the pipeline stays strong year after year.”
The Power of the Internship
Internships are more than just résumé builders. The work experience also helps students focus on their career interests and gives them workplace interactions and projects to draw from in job interviews.
Darius Corbet, a marketing major with a sports business concentration, spent his summer as a social media intern with the High Point Rockers minor league baseball team. “This internship gave me countless opportunities and connections all around the ballpark,” he says. “I 100% feel more ready for my career.”
Recent LinkedIn data reports that students like Corbet, who complete internships, are 25% more likely to start a full-time job within six months of graduation. Furthermore, many of those interns return to their internship sites for full-time positions upon graduation. They also tend to stay longer than their peers who lack the internship experience.
How Spartans Spent Their Summer Break
Meet some ambitious Spartans who used their extra time this summer to dive into internships. Whether they were earning class credit, an hourly wage, or critical work experience, they all came away with skills and résumé highlights that will give them an advantage when they begin their careers after graduation.
General Dentistry Internship
“This experience has been meaningful because every time a scared little kid sits in the chair, I am reminded of why I began a dentistry pursuit in the first place: to restore trust.”
Malachi Ward
Human health sciences major with a minor in chemistry
Unpaid intern at McDuffie Dentistry in Durham
Banking Internship
“My time with First Citizens has been meaningful because I get to learn hands-on skills in my desired field while also networking with my peers.”
Ben Salter
Finance major
Paid intern with First Citizens Bank in Raleigh
Marketing Internship
“Arch Mortgage Insurance provided an environment where I was able to grow, contribute, and build lasting connections. Throughout my internship, I gained hands-on marketing experience with mentorship that strengthened my skills and confidence. The support I received reflects a culture that values the growth and success of its people.”
ShaLelar Holloway
Strategic marketing major with photography minor
Intern at Arch Mortgage Insurance in Greensboro
Recreational Therapy Internship
“Victory Junction has reinforced my passion for working with children and helping others. Experiencing camp through their eyes and watching my campers gain confidence, build friendships, and create lasting memories has been remarkable.”
Bethany Allen
Recreational therapy major
Paid counselor at Victory Junction, internship also covers her 120-hour practicum
Acting Internship
“I’ve gotten to spend my fair share of time beach-hopping in the Outer Banks. I’ve seen the lighthouse at Cape Hatteras, been through the Elizabethan Gardens, and performed in one of the state’s biggest tourist attractions every night.”
Patrick Mullen
Musical theatre major
Paid ensemble actor in “The Lost Colony” in Manteo, NC
Software Internship
“Greensboro-based software company Xtern Software offered me the amazing opportunity to work on their nonprofit intern project, Generosity in Greensboro, a joint project with the City of Greensboro Parks and Recreation to use software to help the community. This summer has been an awesome experience to apply the knowledge I have been learning at UNCG and grow as a young professional.”
Wilson Gachunga
Computer science major
Paid intern with Xtern Software provided a solid foundation for my career.”
Recovery Specialist Internship
“My long-term career goal is to become the director of a mental health program that serves veterans, with a special focus on supporting women veterans. I am passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of those who have served our country. CPD helped me to secure this valuable opportunity after working with them to strengthen my résumé.”
Macaya Walker
Business administration major who plans to pursue psychology in graduate school
Paid intern at the Central State Hospital in Kentucky
Librarian-in-Residence
“As a Librarian-in-Residence, I am developing my knowledge of cataloging standards and strengthening my practical cataloging skills, with a particular focus on cataloging foreign language materials and resources in non-Latin scripts. In addition, I am working to improve classified access to electronic resources and applying collection management best practices to enhance the discoverability and accessibility of library collections.”
Ji Nichol
Library and information science master’s student
6–10-month appointment in the Library of Congress, China Section
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photos provided by students, except for hero photo by Sean Norona, University Communications.
