University of North Texas 
Internships bridge the classroom to the professional world, offering students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop essential skills, and build lasting connections. These experiences often give students an edge in the competitive job market.
According to NACE’s 2024 Student Survey, more than two-thirds of graduating seniors participated in an internship, underscoring their importance in shaping career trajectories.
At the University of North Texas, the Career Center serves as a cornerstone in helping students access and maximize internship opportunities.
Launching a Career
Manny Hernandez (’25), a business computer information systems major, spent his summer at PepsiCo, working as a Business Analyst Intern. Manny’s internship also allowed him to collaborate with subject matter experts, work alongside peers, and contribute to innovative data and AI projects.
“I gained invaluable insights into how data drives business decisions,” he shared. “By engaging with our business processes and helping develop tools to manage and optimize data initiatives, our team played a crucial role in providing leaders and decision process managers with the insights they needed to make informed decisions. A key part of my role was ensuring the accuracy and quality of our database entries, which were utilized by multiple teams, highlighting the essential role in effective data management.”
These experiences not only bolstered his professional skills but also helped him build a network of connections in the industry. He credits UNT’s Career Center with preparing him to succeed.
“The Career Center offered excellent resources that helped me develop the skills needed to discover and pursue these opportunities,” he said. “I’m excited to share that I’ve been offered a full-time position with PepsiCo after graduation.”
Defining a Path
Internships also play a crucial role in helping students clarify their career goals by providing firsthand experience in different professional settings.
For Ashlyn McMullen (’25), a human resource management major, the Career Center played a vital role in helping her discover her ideal path.
“The career center helps prepare students for their professional careers by giving them a glimpse of what it’s like to be a professional through the career fairs and networking opportunities,” she said.
Her first HR internship gave her insight into the corporate and manufacturing sectors. While she initially envisioned herself as a human resources business partner in the manufacturing industry, the experience challenged her assumptions.
“Working in this environment helped me realize that it wasn’t quite what I had anticipated,” she said. “The experience allowed me to reassess my professional goals.”
Her second internship with Allied OMS, a private equity firm founded, owned, and operated by oral and maxillofacial surgeons, has been a game-changer. Focusing on corporate-level HR operations, she discovered a newfound interest in HR systems and processes.
“At first, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this type of role, but the hands-on experience allowed me to grow and develop a genuine interest in HR operations and systems,” she said. “This internship has given me clarity, and I now feel confident that my career path aligns more closely with this experience.”
Empowering Student Success
At UNT, the Career Center is here to support students every step of the way on their internship journey from preparation to placement. Through résumé workshops, mock interviews, and networking events, they provide the guidance and resources students need to explore opportunities and build a strong foundation for their future.
The Career Center is part of the Division of Student Affairs. For more information, visit the Career Center online.