Internships are becoming commonplace and even expected in fields like engineering or business. If you’re applying for an engineering job and you don’t have internship experience on your resume, you’re likely to raise a few eyebrows.
But did you know that internships are valuable for liberal arts majors as well?
A liberal arts degree provides ample opportunities for individuals to form critical skills such as appreciation of diversity and other cultures, problem-solving and reflective thinking, and an ability to communicate effectively through both writing and speech. These soft skills are essential for work in just about any industry and are highly desirable amongst employers.
In fact, many employers are turning away applicants who may have the necessary technical skills to do the job, if they don’t also possess the soft skills needed for being a reliable and productive member of a team.
The drawback of a liberal arts degree is the lack of hands-on field experience built within the educational program itself. This is where internships come in handy. They provide the opportunity to apply your liberal arts knowledge while gaining important industry skills.
If you are a liberal arts major looking to boost your resume and gain some valuable work experience and networking connections, here are a few internships you should check out:
Media & Journalism Internships
Journalism is an excellent field for those with a thirst for knowledge and a passion for storytelling. These internships provide the opportunity for cultural immersion and expanding your worldview in addition to an education in technical writing and photography skills.
You might be interested in a media or journalism internship if you have a background in writing, photography, videography, and the obvious, journalism. Here are a few excellent international internships you don’t want to miss:
- Singapore: Photography & Journalism Internship
- Costa Rica: Wildlife Photography & Conservation Awareness
- South Korea: Photography & Journalism Internship
- Ghana: Journalism & Media Internship
- Swaziland: Photography & Multimedia Internship
- South Africa: Wildlife Documentary & Film-making Internship
Finance Internships
The world of finance is a challenging and ever-changing industry. It’s a field in which book knowledge is important but hands-on experience is also necessary. If you are hoping to land a job in the financial or economic sector, you won’t regret participating in an internship program.
Finance internships are ideal for those with a background in economics, finance, or accounting. If this sounds right up your alley, check out these international internships:
- Singapore: Finance Internship
- Seoul: Finance Internship
- Bangkok: Finance Internship
- Swaziland: Microfinance Project Internship
Teaching Internships
If you love to travel and other cultures fascinate you, teaching abroad might be for you! The daily work of instructing students and communicating with parents, families, and colleagues, will provide a cultural immersion experience unlike any other. The school day work schedule also allows time for evening adventures and weekend travels.
As many teaching abroad opportunities offer TEFL certification, you are not required to have an education degree to participate. If you’re interested in trying your hand at teaching, here are a few programs you don’t want to miss:
- Cambodia: TEFL Course and English Teaching
- Prague + Czech Republic: TEFL Course and English Teaching
- Costa Rica: TEFL Course and English Teaching
- Cambodia: Teaching on Remote Islands
- Colombia: Volunteer Teaching Project
- Fiji: Teaching & Sports Education
Art & Design Internships
Practice makes perfect, right? As any artist or designer knows, you won’t excel in your field without taking time to practice and refine your craft. Interning abroad is the perfect opportunity to stretch your design muscles. As you explore new lands and experience different cultures, you are sure to be hit with plenty of artistic inspiration.
If you are looking for an internship opportunity to put on your graduate school applications and resumes, or you’re simply looking for the chance to get creative and put your skills to good use, here are a few international internship programs you don’t want to miss:
- Argentina: Art & Technology Project
- Ecuador: Amazonian Arts: Pottery, Jewelry, Weaving, Dance & Music
- Cambodia: Graphic Designer for Children’s Centre
- Brazil: Design & Art Volunteer Program
If you’ve ever thought you couldn’t get an international internship with your liberal arts background, think again. Regardless of your background or field of study, there are internship programs available for everyone!
