Using your knowledge and skills to gain real-world experience

Internships are one of the best ways to connect classroom learning with real-world experience. They allow you to apply technical knowledge in a professional environment while developing workplace skills, building your network, and exploring potential career paths. Many students also receive job offers from employers following successful internship experiences.

Computer Information Sciences students are encouraged to pursue internships that align with their academic and career goals in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, networking, data analytics, web development, information technology, and other computing-related fields.

A student smiles while talking with a student over a laptop

Internship options

Internships may be completed with private companies, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or other approved employers. Opportunities may be paid or unpaid and are available during the fall, spring, and summer terms.

Students who wish to earn academic credit for an internship must meet departmental requirements and receive approval before beginning the internship. The sections below explain how to find internship opportunities, determine your eligibility, and complete the approval process to earn academic credit.

Preparing for your internship search

Successful internship searches begin well before you submit your first application. Taking time to prepare your application materials and develop your professional presence can help you stand out to employers.

Before you begin your search, you should:

  • Develop a polished résumé that highlights your technical skills, coursework, projects, and relevant work experience.
  • Create or update your LinkedIn profile and connect with classmates, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals.
  • Build a portfolio or GitHub repository to showcase programming projects, class assignments, or other technical work.
  • Practice interviewing by preparing to discuss your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and project experience.
  • Meet with Career Engagement or your faculty advisor for feedback on your résumé, interview skills, and internship goals.
Being well prepared will help you apply with confidence and increase your chances of finding an internship that aligns with your academic and career interests.

Find internship opportunities

Internship opportunities are available through a variety of sources. Begin your search early, as many employers recruit several months before internships begin. Explore multiple resources, attend career events, and connect with faculty and industry professionals to increase your chances of finding an opportunity that matches your interests and career goals.

A student takes a selfie with Mr. Ichabod at a career fair.

Career Engagement

  • Career advisors can help you identify internship opportunities, review application materials and prepare for interviews. Handshake is the primary platform for Washburn students to search and apply for internships and jobs.
A computer information science professor.

Faculty & department contacts

  • CIS faculty often receive internship announcements from employers seeking Washburn students. Watch your Washburn email and ask faculty members about opportunities related to your career interests.
Students talk with employers at a career fair.

Career & internship fairs

  • Attend career fairs and employer networking events hosted by Washburn to meet recruiters, learn about internship programs, and make professional connections.
Students talk together.

Professional networking

  • Build your professional network through LinkedIn, student organizations, alumni, and local technology meetups. Many internships are filled through referrals and professional connections.
A student smiles while working on her laptop.

Employer websites

  • Visit the careers pages of organizations where you would like to work. Many companies post internship opportunities on their own websites before advertising them elsewhere.
Two students talk while working on their laptops.

Online internship & job boards

  • In addition to Handshake, search internship-specific websites and major job boards such as LinkedIn Jobs, Indeed, and other technology-focused career sites.

Where our students have interned in the past

In the past, Washburn CIS students have completed internships with organizations ranging from local businesses to government agencies and national companies. Explore a variety of opportunities and apply broadly to find an internship that best matches your interests and career goals.

Advisors Excel • BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas • Hill's Pet Nutrition • State of Kansas • City of Topeka • Federal agencies • Garmin • Koch • Cerner/Oracle Health • Paycom • Textron • Washburn University • Kansas State University • University of Kansas

CM400 Internship in computing

Students who wish to earn academic credit for an internship enroll in CM400 Internship in Computing. The course is designed to complement your workplace experience rather than add unnecessary coursework. Instead of traditional lectures and exams, CM400 focuses on helping you reflect on your professional growth and connect your internship experience with your academic studies.

Through the course, you will:

  • Develop professional communication and workplace skills.
  • Reflect on your technical and professional growth throughout the internship.
  • Connect classroom knowledge with real-world computing practice.
  • Receive guidance and support from the internship faculty coordinator.
  • Earn upper-division Computer Information Sciences (CM) credit toward your degree.

The course includes a beginning-of-semester orientation, a brief mid-semester progress check, and end-of-semester reflection activities designed to support your professional development. Most learning takes place through your internship experience, with course activities designed to help you maximize the value of the internship while keeping the academic workload manageable.

CM400 is offered during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

How to earn credit for your CIS internship

1
Begin by accepting the internship offer that most aligns with your goals.

2
Meet with the internship instructor to determine the appropriate number of internship credit hours based on your internship responsibilities and expected work hours.

3

Domestic students: You may complete an internship without enrolling in the internship course. However, if you wish to earn upper-division CM academic credit, you must enroll in the appropriate internship course.

International students: Before beginning an off-campus internship, you must work with the International Programs Office to complete the required documentation and obtain authorization. International students must enroll in the internship course to participate in an off-campus internship.

4
Internship courses are offered during the fall, spring and summer semesters.

5
Successfully fulfill both your employer's expectations and the academic requirements of the internship course to earn credit.

GET IN TOUCH WITH Department of Computer Information Sciences

Computer Information Sciences Department
Stoffer Science Hall, Room 304
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621

Phone & Email
785.670.1739
cis@washburn.edu

back to top button