Internships for All: Experiential Learning, Guaranteed

At Sarah Lawrence College, learning goes beyond our beautiful campus. Through our Internships for All program, every undergraduate student is supported in pursuing at least one meaningful experiential learning opportunity before they graduate.

Research shows that students who participate in internships and other supervised work experiences are better prepared for life after college. Internships for All ensures that Sarah Lawrence students graduate not only with a powerful liberal arts education, but also with real-world experience, professional skills, and a clear path to a career.

What Is Internships for All?

Internships for All is a structured, college-wide initiative designed to help students explore careers, develop career ready competencies (skills, knowledge, abilities), and gain authentic work experience.

Staying true to Sarah Lawrence’s individualized approach to education, students work closely with faculty, advisors, and the Experiential Learning Center  to identify opportunities that align with their interests and goals, whether that means an internship, research project, community-based work, or another form of experiential learning. The comprehensive Experiential Learning Center includes Career Services, SLC Embedded Education (SLC EmbeddEd), Community Partnerships, Global Education, and pre-professional advisors.

A Wide Range of Options

Internships for All includes many types of experiences, including:

• Internships, apprenticeships, and volunteer positions
• Faculty-led research
• Fieldwork for academic credit
• Community-based learning and civic engagement
• Global work experiences

This flexibility allows students to choose experiences that complement their academic interests and career aspirations, alongside their academic schedule. Students completing experience-based work during the fall, spring, or summer have the option to enroll in SLC EmbeddEd practicum courses for academic credit. The SLC EmbeddEd course emphasizes goal development, competency building, and the transition from campus to work-life, within a supportive community of peers, campus resources, and alumni engagement.

Integrated Support from Day One

Internships for All is woven throughout a student’s four years at Sarah Lawrence:

• First Year: Students are introduced to the program during orientation and begin early career exploration and competency assessment with guidance from faculty and advisors.
• Sophomore Year: Students are eligible to enroll in SLC EmbeddEd practicum courses with experience based work placements. Students deepen exploration through Experiential Learning Center competency workshops, one-on-one advising, and skill-building resources.
• Junior Year: Focus shifts to clarifying goals, reassessing career-ready competencies, securing internships aligned with goals, and further preparing for professional environments. Students are eligible to enroll in additional SLC EmbeddEd courses with an emphasis on early career leadership and mentorship.
• Senior Year: Students receive support transitioning from college to careers or graduate school, including individualized post-graduation planning.

Throughout this journey, students are supported by Career Services, SLC EmbeddEd, Class Deans, faculty mentors, ensuring that experiential learning is intentional, authentic, reflective, and connected to academic work.

Why It Matters

Internships for All helps students:

• Apply classroom learning in real-world settings
• Build transferable skills employers value
• Develop professional networks and mentorships
• Explore career interests
• Graduate better prepared for employment or advanced study

Internships for All reflects Sarah Lawrence’s commitment to pairing intellectual rigor with practical preparation. Graduates leave with both a strong sense of self and the experience to take their next step.