What is an Internship?

An internship is a planned and structured learning opportunity that takes place in a real workplace for a defined period of time. These experiences are designed to help young adults explore careers, build essential workplace skills, and gain exposure to professional environments.

Internships are typically paid, depending on the structure of the opportunity and the needs of the participant. They may take place in a variety of settings, including:

• Private, for-profit businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Public sector or government agencies

All work experiences supported through Oakland County Michigan Works! are intentionally designed to include both academic and occupational learning components. This ensures participants are not only gaining hands-on experience, but also building knowledge related to career pathways, employability skills, and long-term workforce success.

Internships may support young adults in:

• Exploring career interests
• Developing transferable workplace skills
• Building a professional resume
• Connecting classroom learning to real-world applications
• Preparing for long-term employment, training, or postsecondary education

Oakland County Michigan Works! has a strong history of connecting young adults with meaningful work experience opportunities.

• 2024 Program Highlights
• 164 paid work experiences provided
• 60 employer partners across Oakland County

Through continued collaboration with local employers and community partners, Oakland County Michigan Works! remains committed to expanding access to high-quality work experiences that support both youth career development and employer workforce needs.

Explore our internship programs and see which one is right for you