Internships provide students with opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom, develop professional skills and gain a better understanding of their chosen industries. For three NIU students, internships at Behaim ITS and Mitutoyo this past summer offered valuable opportunities to take on meaningful responsibilities, learn new technologies and grow their confidence.
As a software engineering intern at Behaim ITS, Noah Allen, a computer science – software development and philosophy major at NIU, helped build a full-stack furniture e-commerce application from the ground up. The project incorporated a Next.js frontend, a TIBCO BusinessWorks Container Edition backend, a SQL Server database, Docker containerization and AI-powered shopping assistant.
Allen valued the opportunity to contribute to the entire development process, from planning and designing application interfaces to troubleshooting problems and presenting progress to professional engineers. The internship also taught him the importance of communication, collaboration and adaptability. Allen encourages fellow students not to wait until they feel completely prepared before applying for internships.
“An internship is supposed to be a learning experience, and employers do not necessarily expect students to already know every tool they use,” Allen said. “Having a strong foundation is important, but being willing to learn, ask thoughtful questions and work through unfamiliar problems can be just as valuable.”
Bryan White, a computer science – software development major at NIU who also interned at Behaim ITS, gained experience working with industry-standard tools and contributing to the development of an e-commerce website that included payment processing and an AI chatbot. Through the internship, White participated in the software development process from initial design through deployment and maintenance while completing training and certifications related to the technologies used.
“Everything we did felt like it was helping us grow in our competence and confidence as developers,” White shared.
White encourages students to take advantage of NIU Career Services resources when searching for opportunities, including the Huskies Get Hired job platform and career fairs.
Duane Enty, Jr., a marketing major at NIU, gained firsthand experience at Mitutoyo, learned about metrology and manufacturing, AI implementation, graphic design, product management and marketing. He recommends identifying meaningful experiences and interests that demonstrate value to an employer and supporting claims about one’s abilities with specific examples.
“One piece of advice I’d give to students looking for an internship or a full-time position is to show why you’re different,” Enty, Jr. said.
These collective experiences demonstrate how internships can help students build technical expertise, develop workplace skills and better understand how their education translates into professional opportunities.
Reporting internship experiences helps NIU document student participation in experiential learning and recognize the ways students are applying their education beyond the classroom. Students who completed an internship but have not yet reported it are encouraged to submit their experience through Huskie Career Launchpad. Taking a few minutes to report an internship helps ensure that these important learning experiences are captured.
Whether students are preparing for their first internship, searching for a summer position or exploring full-time employment after graduation, NIU Career Services offers resources and opportunities to help them move forward.
This fall semester, NIU students are connecting with employers, exploring career paths and preparing for their futures through fall career fairs. These events give students valuable opportunities to meet recruiters, learn about organizations and build professional connections.
Career fairs are an important part of the career development process at NIU, giving students the opportunity to interact directly with employers, ask questions about their industries, learn what organizations look for in candidates, and practice communicating their skills and experiences.
Through these interactions, students can begin building professional relationships that may lead to internships or future employment. Attending a career fair is valuable not only for finding immediate openings but also for developing the confidence and connections that can support future job searches.
Career Services has numerous events planned for students across majors, academic programs, and career interests this academic year to connect with employers and take positive steps toward their career development. Check out the full schedule of events. Students are encouraged to prepare ahead of each event by updating their resumes, researching participating employers and identifying questions to ask recruiters.
By attending career fairs, connecting with recruiters, exploring Huskies Get Hired, and reporting internship experiences in Huskie Career Launchpad, students can make the most of their time at NIU and take meaningful steps toward their professional goals. Visit the NIU Career Services website to learn more.
