University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog

At University of Advancing Technology (UAT), participating in an internship is a graduation requirement for all on-ground students and optional for hybrid/online students, underscoring UAT's commitment to immersive, real-world learning. These internships provide students with invaluable opportunities to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings, collaborate with industry professionals, and refine their skills in a fast-paced environment.

To maximize the benefits of your internship, consider focusing on the following objectives:

• Learn from Experienced Mentors: Gain insights and guidance from seasoned professionals who can provide valuable perspectives on industry trends and best practices.
• Contribute to Team Projects: Actively participate in collaborative efforts, bringing fresh ideas and a strong work ethic to the table.
• Document Your Journey: Maintain a journal to reflect on your experiences, track your progress, and identify areas for growth.

Career Services at UAT is dedicated to assisting students in securing internships that align with their career aspirations. They offer resources and guidance to help you navigate the process successfully. From resume workshops to interview preparation, the team ensures you're well-equipped to make a lasting impression.

The specific requirements for UAT's internship are as follows: 

• The internship must run alongside the 15-week internship course for students to receive credit in their degree program at UAT 
• Students must earn at least 10 hours of work per week during the internship (or 150+ total hours in the semester) 
• Internship supervisors must be willing to complete a midterm and final evaluation for each student they have as an intern. These are emailed out by our Student Services team. 
• Finally, the internship work must be technically relevant and include some interfacing with technology

Students have several supports for finding the perfect internship to satisfy their degree requirement!

• Our Career Services coordinator, Jake Henningsen, maintains and updates the GeekRho Teams channel which houses a Job Internship Board and a Networking Opportunities section

• Job Internship Board – area where relevant jobs and internships are posted and separated by degree area
• Networking Opportunities Board – area where students can view and plan to attend various events to learn about or communicate with employers in their degree cluster

• Resume reviews are available for students who are actively engaged in their programs and for alumni of UAT
• Career Services hosts a Career Fair in Spring and Fall terms to bring qualified candidates and employers in technology fields together

Some of the most recent internships UAT students participated in include:

• Baylee Balsimo Ketelhut - Medical Micro Maps - Game Design Intern (pursuing 3 Bachelor’s degrees – Game Design, Game Art & Animation, Game Programming)
• Andrew Barkan - JP Morgan - Data Intern (Network Security student)
• Richard Parrott* - Wells Fargo Cyber Security - Cyber Security Intern (Business Technology student – was using his full-time employment as Internship)
• Phoenix Ross - SP Entertainment - Programming Intern (Game Programming alumni)

Employer Satisfaction Feedback about UAT Student Interns 

"From day one, the UAT student has demonstrated a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn, always tackling new tasks with enthusiasm and professionalism. What sets the student apart is his proactive attitude and his ability to go above and beyond expectations. Whether it's taking on additional responsibilities, assisting team members, or providing valuable insights, he consistently delivers exceptional results. His positive energy and eagerness to contribute makes him a pleasure to work with, and quickly earned the respect and appreciation from the Supervisor. Overall, he is a remarkable person to have on the team, and we’re fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him."

"He does an amazing job. He has redone our whole movement system. He has fixed a lot of the bugs in the code. He asks questions, leads others in code, is very professional, and works more to get the product good. The project wouldn't be where it is today if it wasn't for him. He made an outstanding impact on the team."

"The UAT Student has done a great job, she is willing to learn new things and try out different solutions. She is willing to take initiative and if she can't solve the problem, will ask for help. She is both a designer and programmer, and she creates a bridge between the two disciplines, which has made our production pipeline much smoother."

Student Feedback about what they learned in their Internships

"Love working on the project with the team I think everyone does a great job and feels like I'm contributing to something great."

"Overall, I'm satisfied with my performance and I'm eager for what the rest of the semester has to offer."

"I'm leaning a lot about Unity, building a game from the ground up, the development cycle of a game, communication and its importance, and time management. It's definitely good that I'm gaining things I can take to the industry."

"I feel like I have learned a lot and have been able to work on my skills with website development, understanding and creating them from a provider rather than from scratch."

Internships at UAT provide students with an unparalleled level of support, ensuring they are well-prepared to excel in their chosen fields. The satisfaction among both students and employers speaks volumes about the effectiveness of UAT’s internship requirement, as students graduate with confidence, hands-on knowledge, and valuable industry connections. Whether launching a career or innovating within their field, students are equipped to make a lasting impact.

Learn more about UAT Internships today!