Classes at COA are as rigorous and real as possible. But there’s no substitution for getting out into the world and learning by doing. Internships give you a chance to do just that.

All COA students complete either a 450-hour, or a 320-hour, off-campus internship. This lets students explore career options, network and make connections, and learn skills that cannot be learned through coursework alone. Students do internships at businesses and companies, non-profits and schools, and in research labs in the US and around the world. You will work with faculty and staff to find an internship that is a good match for your educational and career goals.

Most students do their internship during the summer after their second or third years, but you can elect to do your internship during the school year if you wish.

More information about internships, including help finding and applying for work experiences, can be found on the Internships and Career Services page. The internship office maintains an active database of organizations, alumni mentors, and contacts to help students find internships.

 

Student internships at COA:

  • NEWS
    Publishing Passion Spurs Press Internship

    A lifelong passion for books leads College of the Atlantic student Halle Smith ’20 to an inspiring internship with Feminist Press at City University of New York.

  • NEWS
    Acadia Scholars Program Marks First Season
    Two College of the Atlantic seniors get an up-close, behind-the-scenes look at Acadia National Park and Schoodic Institute as COA’s first Acadia Scholars. The competitive internship program offers valuable, real-world experience for students interested in conservation, science, and communications careers.
  • NEWS
    Beyond the Classroom: Genetic Research at MDI Biolab
    Student fellows at nearby MDI Biological Laboratory study the gene code, explore the regenerative properties of zebrafish, and apply an interdisciplinary education to hard science.