NC State Recognized for Internship Opportunities

NC State continues to gain national recognition for delivering high-impact student experiences that lead to meaningful careers. In the latest Princeton Review rankings, NC State earned the No. 15 spot for internship opportunities among public universities—an honor that highlights NC State’s strong commitment to student success beyond the classroom.

Internships are a component of NC State’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which emphasizes the importance of High-Impact Experiences. These experiences help students integrate academic learning with real-world application, leading to deeper learning and stronger outcomes.

The Career Development Center is proud to be one of the resources available to students as they explore internships and prepare for their future careers. The Career Development Center provides students with access to a wide range of experiential learning opportunities designed to build professional skills and explore potential career paths. 

Specifically, the Career Development Center’s Employer Relations Team plays a vital role in expanding internship opportunities by cultivating relationships with local, national, and global employers. In addition to proactively developing new partnerships, the team also reviews and approves internships submitted through ePACK, NC State’s online job and internship platform, to ensure they offer meaningful, professional experiences that align with the university’s standards for student development. Each year, thousands of internships, co-ops, on-campus jobs, and full-time positions are posted in ePACK.

Signature programs offered by the Career Development Center include:

Rural Works! – A paid summer internship program that connects students with meaningful work experiences in rural North Carolina communities.

SECU Public Fellows Internship Program – An initiative that places students in paid internships with nonprofit and government organizations to strengthen communities across the state.

Cooperative Education (Co-op) – A unique program that allows students to alternate semesters of full-time work and study, gaining extended, hands-on experience in their field of interest.

In addition to these programs, Career Counselors in the Career Development Center are available year-round to help students identify internship opportunities, tailor application materials, and prepare for interviews. This personalized support ensures that students are not only finding internships—but thriving in them.

Dr. Arnold Bell, Executive Director of the Career Development Center, emphasized the value of internships in a student’s academic and professional journey:

“Internships are more than just resume builders. They’re opportunities for students to develop real-world skills, clarify their career goals, and gain a competitive edge in the job market. We’re proud to help students connect with experiences that prepare them to thrive after graduation.”

Internships give students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge, explore career options, and build professional skills. NC State is dedicated to providing these  real-world experiences to prepare students for long-term success.

To learn more about internship programs offered through the Career Development Center, please visit: https://careers.dasa.ncsu.edu/gain-experience/internship-and-job-search/