High-Impact, Career-Ready: Linking Internships and Research to the NACE Competencies

This research session will share data from a national survey and an institutional case study to extend conversations on the value of internships and undergraduate research. Internships and other forms of work-integrated learning help students put academic content into contextualized practice, reflect on learning, and develop professionally (Hay, 2020; Moore, 2023). Mentored undergraduate research can deepen learning, contribute to a sense of belonging, and facilitate vocational explorations (Brew, 2013; Kuh, 2008; Johnson & Rifenburg, 2025). Although they may conjure different visions of what’s possible for students’ future careers, both high-impact practices (HIPs) can contribute significantly to career readiness when done well. The presenters will share student and alumni perceptions of how internships and undergraduate research contributed to their development of the eight National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) competencies, and attendees will have opportunities to reflect on how their work with these HIPs could more clearly align with the NACE competencies.