If you’ve ever felt pressure to “get experience” before landing your first internship, you’re not alone. Many students want to build skills, strengthen their resumes, and feel more confident heading into interviews.

Common goals include:

• Building skills quickly
• Earning money while gaining experience
• Exploring global opportunities
• Practicing leadership skills employers value
• Finding flexible options that fit a busy schedule

The good news: there are many ways to build meaningful, resume-ready experience before your first internship. This resource compares several options side-by-side so you can choose what fits your goals, schedule, and capacity.

Explore Your Options

Each option below offers different benefits. Some are flexible and self-paced, while others are more structured and immersive.

Professional Edge Immersion

Experience real business scenarios in a short, structured program. This is a great option if you want hands-on practice without committing to a long-term internship, and is free for all UO students.

Global Career Accelerator

Gain global employer exposure and resume-ready experience through a virtual, synchronous summer course. A good fit if study abroad isn’t financially or logistically feasible. You can use your financial aid to pay for the credits. 

GEO Global Works Internships

Complete an internship abroad while building professional skills and expanding your global perspective. You can use your financial aid to pay for the credits. 

Student Club Leadership

Take on leadership roles that build transferable, real-world skills like project management, teamwork, and communication—while generating concrete, resume-ready accomplishments.

Part-Time Campus Jobs

Earn an income while developing highly transferable skills that employers value such as time management, customer service, and problem-solving in a structured environment.

Professional Edge Training

Complete eight-hours, industry-led trainings to build practical skills and earn resume-ready micro-credentials. Available for free for all UO students.

Parker Dewey Micro-Internships

Work on short-term, remote projects for real companies. A flexible way to gain experience quickly without needing a long-term commitment. However, keep in mind that opportunities may be competitive.

Forage Virtual Simulations

Complete 2–5 hour job simulations designed by top companies like BCG, J.P. Morgan, and Lululemon. A low-commitment way to explore different career paths and types of work you might enjoy (and the one you don’t) before starting an internship.

LinkedIn Learning

Build foundational skills like Excel, Tableau, or project management at your own pace—especially useful as you prepare for recruiting season.