Jobs, Internships & Co-Ops
Transform classroom theory into professional achievement. Discover credit-bearing internships, paid co-ops, international student CPT opportunities, and on-campus work-study positions.
Experiential Learning Tracks
Pathways to Professional Experience
Choose the experiential learning framework that aligns with your degree requirements and career goals.
Credit-Bearing Internships
Integrate hands-on workplace learning with academic credit supervised by departmental faculty.
- Available in fall, spring, and summer semesters
- Counts directly toward major elective credits
- Structured learning agreement with employer mentor
- Faculty evaluation and reflective capstone paper
- Minimum 120 contact hours per 3-credit course
- Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors
- Partnerships across Fortune 500 & regional leaders
- Tuition covered under standard course registration
Engineering & Technology Co-Ops
Full-time or part-time paid cooperative education assignments in industry.
- Competitive compensation from top employers
- Engineering, computing, and business tracks
- Rotations with aerospace, biotech, and software firms
- Direct pipeline into full-time post-graduate offers
- Maintain active student status during work terms
- Hands-on engineering lab and production experience
- Mentorship from senior practicing engineers
- Accelerated resume enhancement
Federal Work-Study & Institutional Roles
Build foundational professional skills right on campus with flexible schedules built around classes.
- Federal Work-Study (FWS) financial aid awards
- University-funded departmental student assistantships
- Roles in libraries, labs, athletics, and student affairs
- Maximum 20 hours per week during academic semesters
- Bi-weekly direct deposit payroll payments
- Convenient on-campus commute between classes
- Development of transferable customer service skills
- All positions posted on Handshake
Strategic Blueprint
4 Steps to Secure Your Dream Internship
Follow this proven process to identify, apply for, and secure high-impact internship opportunities.
Build Your Handshake Profile
Complete your profile, upload your resume, and set career preferences to receive AI-matched internship notifications.
Resume & Cover Letter Review
Meet with a Career Development coach at Heckman to tailor your application materials to specific industry job descriptions.
Mock Interviews & Networking
Practice behavioral and technical interview questions via Big Interview and connect with alumni recruiters at UB career expos.
Register for Academic Credit
Once an offer is received, complete the Internship Agreement Form with your faculty advisor before the semester deadline.
International Student Employment: CPT & OPT
University of Bridgeport is proud to host students from over 80 countries. Our Career Development Center works hand-in-hand with International Student Services (ISS) to facilitate Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).nnF-1 students are eligible for off-campus internships through CPT after completing one full academic year. STEM-designated degree graduates qualify for up to 36 months of OPT work authorization in the United States.
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for internships related to your major
- 12-month post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- 24-month STEM OPT extension for qualifying engineering and analytics degrees
- Interstride job platform featuring H-1B visa employer search tools
Job Search Engines
Verified Internship Portals
Leverage UB’s institutional partnerships to access thousands of vetted postings.
Flagship Platform
Handshake at UB
Over 500,000 employers recruit on Handshake. Filter by internship, job type, major, and location.
Log In to Handshake
Global Careers
Interstride Portal
The premier career platform for international students seeking visa sponsorship and global jobs.
Access Interstride
Interview Prep
Big Interview AI
Master virtual interviewing with AI-powered video practice and feedback tailored to your industry.
Start Mock Interview
Can I receive academic credit for an internship I already started?
No. Academic internship credit must be approved and registered before your workplace hours begin. Retroactive credit cannot be granted per university policy.
Are international students allowed to work off campus?
Yes, through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) once you have completed one full academic year in F-1 status and the internship directly relates to your degree curriculum.
How many hours per week can I work at an on-campus job?
Enrolled students may work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters, and up to 40 hours per week during official university break periods.
Career Development Coaching
Schedule a 1-on-1 resume review, job search consultation, or CPT advising session today.