Pitt to guarantee internship for all students

By Andrew Shull

The University announced on Monday a bold plan to guarantee that all Pitt students are able to…The University announced on Monday a bold plan to guarantee that all Pitt students are able to graduate with real-world experience.

Pitt sent out a press release detailing the new program, run by the Office of Career Development and Placement Assistance, that will allow students to participate in six walk-in sessions focusing on internship-related skills at the CDPA over the course of a semester. Starting this spring and summer, any student who completes the course will be guaranteed an internship.

“In an effort to help University of Pittsburgh students obtain a competitive edge and prepare for life after graduation, the University’s Office of Career Development and Placement Assistance is unveiling an initiative that guarantees every undergraduate the opportunity of an internship,” the press release said.

According to the press release, the new Internship Preparedness Program will focus on six different topics: resumé formatting and content, resumé review and internship focus, preparation for an internship interview, networking skills, internship searching and succeeding in an internship.”

Following those six sessions, students will work with CDPA staff to go through mock interviews and find an internship that works for them.

This announcement comes on the heels of The Princeton Review naming Pitt the No. 19 college in the country for career services.

Rob Franek, the editor of The Princeton Review, described Pitt’s ranking even before this announcement as “superlative.”

“We asked, what are the things Pitt is doing to make sure students are ready to move on after college,” he said. “And compared to 376 other colleges, Pitt was one of the best.”