CO-OPS AND INTERNSHIPS
Jumpstart Your Career

The University Career Services co-op and internship team assists students of all majors and class levels with the resources to learn more about an industry, field, or specific job or position. Our team partners with industry leaders in government, non-profits, and Fortune 500 companies to assist you in your college-to-career journey.
Internships and co-ops offer the opportunity for students and recent graduates to participate in short-term projects in a professional work environment. Instead of working and learning in theory, interns and co-ops learn by experience alongside real professionals.
Having a co-op or internship can help you:
- Gain valuable experience
- Figure out your career path
- Apply the skills you’ve learned in school to a professional setting
- Expand your professional network
- Be considered for a full-time position
Regardless of what you choose, getting experience pays. We can help you determine which experience is right for you. Microinternships, part-time/full-time internships, rotational experiences such as co-ops—any of these experiences can be completed in person, remotely, or hybrid and are offered locally, nationally, and abroad.
What type of experiential learning experience is best for me?
Type of Experience | Timeline to Participate | Class Level Eligible | Project Commitment |
Microinternships | Year-round | All levels | 10-40 hours total |
Full-time internships | Summer | All levels | 40 hours/week |
Part-time internships (Fall/Spring) | Fall/Spring | All levels | Less than 35 hours/week |
Rotational experiences (co-ops) |
Year-round; based on eligibility | 2nd year – 4th year | Varies |
Intern abroad | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Access Handshake to view a wide array of internship and co-op opportunities that are offered remotely, in person, hybrid locally, and nationally.
In partnership with the Study Abroad Office, we invite you to explore interning abroad. International internships provide students with the opportunity to gain practical experience related to their studies or career goals abroad, all while earning academic credit. These internships vary in duration and structure, allowing participants to immerse themselves in a different culture, expand their global network, and enhance their skills in an international context. Explore the options here!
Co-op & Internship FAQ
Co-Op / Internship
Use Handshake, Georgia State’s job board. You can search for full-time, part-time, internships, and co-ops. You can also prepare to apply by working on your resume using SkillsFirst and researching job options using the What Can I Do With This Major? online search tool. Look at O*Net, the Department of Labor’s report on jobs and the future of industries, to see which jobs are predicted to grow in demand. And work your network: Let people know you are looking for opportunities.
Every department that offers credit for an internship has different requirements and procedures. Get in touch with your department to learn about them. Remember to give yourself time to do everything needed in advance of the actual experience.
Follow up a week or two after applying by asking that you would like the status of your application and restate your interest in the job.
Co-ops are full-time, paid work experiences related to your major. Co-ops are rotational, which means you’ll work full-time for a semester, return to take classes full time and then return to your co-op for another semester. Students do not take classes while participating in co-ops. Co-op rotations may be set at a semester or six months, but semester rotations are the most popular. Co-ops at Georgia State are available to computer science, computer information systems, political science and geosciences (with a GIS concentration) majors.
Internships can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis, whereas co-ops always include a full-time schedule. Co-ops are always paid positions, whereas internships can be paid or unpaid. With a co-op, students work for one term, return to take classes and then return to the employer for another work term. Conversely, internships typically last one semester only. Internships are available to all students, whereas co-ops are available to undergraduates in select majors: computer science, computer information systems, geosciences (with a GIS concentration) and political science.
You can start looking as soon as your come to Georgia State, but most students should be looking seriously year two and three. Plan early- it can take several months to locate an internship.
Contact Us
University Career Services Main Office:
25 Park Place NE, Suite 111
Atlanta, GA 30303
Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Phone: 404-413-1820
In-person and virtual career counseling appointments are available.
To request an appointment, please log into Handshake.
Professional Headshots
No Appointment Needed
Atlanta
25 Park Place, 1st Floor: M-F, 8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.
Clarkston
CN 2101: M, W, & Th, 8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.
Dunwoody
NB 2100: M, W, & Th, 8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.
Career Closet
No Appointment Needed
Shop in person at the Atlanta, Clarkston and Dunwoody campuses.
Shop online 24/7 at
gsucareercloset.com.
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