• Connect Ideas to Action: In liberal arts courses, you learn to think critically, analyze complex problems, and communicate clearly. Work-based learning helps you apply those skills in real-world settings, making your education more practical and meaningful.
• Discover What Fits: If you are still figuring out your path, that is completely normal. Work-based learning gives you the chance to explore different types of work, industries, and roles so you can better understand what aligns with your interests and values.
• Build Experience That Counts: Employers value the skills that liberal arts students bring, such as writing, problem-solving, and collaboration. Work-based learning helps you gain concrete experience and examples to show how your skills make an impact.
• Expand Your Network: Through internships, research, or community projects, you will meet professionals, mentors, and peers who can support your goals and open doors for future opportunities.
• Grow Your Confidence: Doing meaningful work helps you see your strengths and understand your potential. You will leave with a clearer sense of your abilities and how you can contribute to the world.

What: Short-term, structured work experiences in a professional setting, paid or unpaid, that help you apply classroom learning, explore careers, and build skills. 
Why: Test out career paths, apply your classroom learning in a professional setting, and connect with people in your field. Gain experience you can highlight on resumes, applications, and in interviews. 
Where to Start: You can find internships through Handshake, employer websites, and the opportunities below. Also, check academic departments’ websites and bulletin boards. 

Internships for Kalamazoo College Students:

• Community Building Internships – Competitive summer positions supporting equity-focused work in the community. Open to first-generation college students, students with high financial need, and international students.
  Community Building Internships – Center for Civic Engagement 
• Environmental Stewardship Internships – Roles such as Environmental Stewardship Intern, Composting Crew, and Hoop House Intern. Work with sustainability programs, facilities, or the campus garden. 
  Positions – Environmental Stewardship Center 
• Study Away Internships – Spend a term away from campus in another U.S. city through one of Kalamazoo College’s Study Away programs, which combine academic courses with a for-credit internship. Internship fields vary by program and may include the arts, public policy, non-profit, business, law, and more. 
  Study Away Programs – Center for International Programs 
• Study Abroad Internships – Certain programs include an accredited internship component. 
  ⚠ Navigation Tip: Use the key at the top of the All Study Abroad Programs page to find sites with internships.

What: Opportunities to work with faculty or independently on scholarly, scientific, or creative projects, either on campus or off campus. 
Why: Develop specialized knowledge in your field, improve your ability to analyze and solve complex problems, and collaborate with faculty and peers. Strengthen your preparation for graduate study or research-based careers. 
Where to Start: In addition to Handshake and other job boards, university and research institution websites, some Kalamazoo College departments share opportunities, including: (if your department isn’t listed, check with faculty) 

Research Opportunities by Department:

• Chemistry and Biochemistry – Lists a wide range of national summer research programs in chemistry and related fields, including research opportunities at leading institutions and laboratories. 
• Biology – Offers methods to discover research opportunities, and application tips. 
• Psychology – Provides guidance around finding research opportunities, internships, and funding. 
• Math – Lists institutions that typically offer summer research opportunities in math. 
• Physics – Lists institutions and entities that typically offer summer research opportunities in physics.

What: Paid work on campus with faculty, staff, or student teams. Average student works 8 to 10 hours per week. Compensation based on role and number of years worked at K, starting at $12.48 per hour.
Why: Gain professional skills, earn income, and work in a flexible schedule that fits with academics.
Where to Start: Learn about Student Employment at K. All campus jobs are posted in Handshake.

Tip: Applications usually open in spring or summer for fall start but check year-round for openings.

What: Paid work with employers outside of Kalamazoo College. Compensation may be higher than on-campus employment (but may lack flexibility and/or require access to transportation) 
Why: Build transferable skills, earn income, and expand your professional network.  
Where to Start: In addition to Handshake, check employer websites and other job boards (Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.).

What: Combine academic coursework with community service, or volunteer regularly outside of class. Some study abroad sites include opportunities for civic engagement. 
Why: Develop leadership, teamwork, project management, and industry-specific skills while making an impact.
Where to Start: Start with campus resources like the Center for Civic Engagement, which connects students with local community partners, or the Center for International Programs, which offers civic engagement components in some study abroad sites. You can also reach out to nonprofits in areas you care about to ask about volunteer opportunities.

Opportunities for K students:

• Center for Civic Engagement – Service-learning courses and volunteer opportunities. Explore CCE opportunities.
• Center for International Programs  – Certain programs include an accredited civic engagement component.
  • ⚠ Navigation Tip: Use the key at the top of the All Study Abroad Programs page to find sites that include civic engagement.

What: Roles where you lead peers, manage programs, and represent the College community. 
Why: Develop collaboration, decision-making, and communication skills while contributing to the life of K and preparing for leadership beyond college. 
Where to Start: Get engaged by joining student organizations and visiting centers across campus. Talk with students in leadership roles to learn about what they do. Visit Student Leadership and college website to explore roles. Examples include:

The CCPD’s Step-by-Step Search Guide walks you through how to:

• Identify your interests and goals
• Develop a strong resume and cover letter
• Learn effective job search strategies
• Practice for interviews
• Get support from campus resources

Student Career Advisors can also help with basic questions about finding internships and preparing resumes or cover letters.

Connect with employers, explore opportunities, build your network, and practice professional conversations at in-person and virtual events with employers. Find more information on the Employer Events and Career Fairs page and see upcoming events in Handshake.

Handshake – Career platform used by more than 1500 schools to search for internships, part-time jobs, and full-time roles. All Kalamazoo College students have access.

LinkedIn – Widely used by employers to connect with candidates. The CCPD has LinkedIn tips to help you strengthen your profile.

Indeed – Global search engine for jobs and internships.

Employer Websites – Apply directly with organizations of interest.

Professional Associations – Many post internships and entry-level roles in their field.

Some opportunities are unpaid or low-paid. Kalamazoo College has funding options to help you participate:

• Institutional Funding Sources – Several departments offer support for summer work-based learning.
• CCPD Internship Stipends – Summer funding to support unpaid or low-paid internships. Explore Summer Internship Stipend Outcomes to see the kinds of meaningful experiences students were able to pursue.
• Program-Embedded Funding – Some programs (for example, Community Building Internships or Study Away) include funding as part of participation.

When applying for internships or work-based learning opportunities, it’s helpful to focus your search on specific industries that interest you. Different industries have different hiring timelines, expectations, and ways of advertising opportunities—so it’s important to do some research.

Additionally, K provides resources and support for students considering careers in health or law.

• Careers in Health 
• Pre-Law Advising

Start by identifying industries that align with your academic interests or career goals. Then:

• Talk to professors or advisors in your major for recommendations and insights.
• Look at departmental job boards or newsletters, especially for research or discipline-specific opportunities.
• Explore professional organizations related to your field—they often post internships, jobs, or networking events.
• Use Handshake and other online tools to browse postings by industry.

What: Competitive, funded opportunities that support academic, professional, or personal development, often after graduation. 
Why: They can help you gain specialized experience, advance a project or cause, or prepare for graduate school or careers in public service, research, or global engagement. 
Tip: Many fellowships require early planning. Even if you won’t apply until after graduation, it’s helpful to start learning about them as an undergraduate. Learn more at: Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships.