Undergraduate Community Based Internships (UCBI)

Undergraduate Community-Based Internships create partnerships between dedicated undergraduate students and non-profit/public sector organizations that are actively engaging in community-led work.

Students contribute their time, skills and perspectives to projects shaped by community needs. Community partners gain support for their work while building relationships with emerging professionals and the University of Washington. Each internship is shaped by the community partner organization’s priorities and the student’s learning goals. Internship activities may include community outreach, research, communications, program support, or event coordination, and more. To see current internship descriptions, please see the Internships page. 

The Community Partner Experience

The Undergraduate Community-Based Internships (UCBI) program is built on the belief that community organizations are essential collaborators in student learning and leadership development. Through UCBI, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and community-focused partners collaborate with the University of Washington's Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center to provide meaningful, paid internship experiences that advance both organizational priorities and student growth.  

Community partners play an active role in shaping the internship experience. Host organizations work alongside the UCBI team to develop internship descriptions, identify learning goals, and create opportunities for students to contribute to community-driven projects and initiatives. Each organization provides a dedicated site supervisor who mentors and supports the intern throughout the program, helping connect day-to-day responsibilities with broader community impact and professional development.  

To reduce barriers for participating organizations, the UCBI team manages recruitment, application review, and candidate screening. Organizations receive a curated group of qualified applicants to interview and provide input on final placement decisions before being matched with their intern. This partnership-centered process allows organizations to focus on creating a meaningful learning environment while ensuring a strong fit between intern interests, skills, and organizational needs. 

By partnering with UCBI, organizations gain access to emerging talent, strengthen their capacity to advance community-centered work, and invest in the development of the next generation of leaders committed to thriving and equitable communities. Together, community partners, students, and the University create mutually beneficial relationships that generate learning, impact, and lasting connections.

The Intern Experience 

In this paid internship experience, interns work directly with their match internship host site for 10 hours/week in the Winter and Spring Quarters, totaling 200 hours between January and June. In addition to the direct internship work on site, students participate in a comprehensive leadership and community engagement curriculum facilitated by the UCBI team in the form of weekly cohort meetings and graduate student mentorship. Through mentorship, reflection, and collective learning, interns develop a deeper understanding of social systems, civic responsibility, cultural humility, and equitable community engagement. These complementary learning experiences help students arrive at their host sites prepared to contribute thoughtfully and grow as future civic and professional leaders.   

Intern Learning Goals

Learning Goal #1: Develop professional knowledge, skills, and relationships 

• Interns will gain career readiness and develop skills in navigating work environments. Interns will build critical thinking skills in analyzing standards of professionalism. 

• Examples: Practicing interview skills and revising resume/cover letter with supervisors and the UCBI team; Examining how White supremacy culture is upheld in the workplace (ex: perfectionism, paternalism, constant sense of urgency, rethinking “professionalism”); Learning to set boundaries at work and gain confidence in expressing needs and opinions 

Learning Goal #2: Apply strength and asset-based approaches to understanding individuals and communities 

• Interns will identify and learn more about the assets present in their workspace and within themselves. In this process, interns will humanize the community and themselves by recognizing needs, strengths, and potential for growth. 

• Examples: Learning about assets as they relate to people, places, and resources in a community you’re working with; Understanding the difference between a strengths-based lens and a deficit-based approach to communities; Interacting with community members with care and humility 

Learning Goal #3: Deepen knowledge and understanding of equity and social justice 

• Interns will dive deeper into topics of power, privilege, and oppression at systemic and interpersonal levels. Interns will build self-awareness of their positionality and develop strategies to navigate the complexities of surrounding systems. 

• Examples: Observing barriers clients and community members may face in accessing resources; Learning new terminology and frameworks related to social justice and equity work; Advocating for policy changes that support and uplift the communities they serve 

Learning Goal #4: Engage in self-care and community-centered care practices 

• Interns will learn about and enact practices for self-care and community work sustainability. They will recognize the importance of personal well-being and take action to maintain and improve their own and others’ health. Interns will understand the connection between personal well-being and community well-being. 

• Examples: Engaging in and exploring boundary-setting strategies that work best for your unique self; Enhancing an understanding of mutual aid as solidarity, reciprocity, and community care; Reflecting on personal inspirations for community-based work, and respond with attention to self-sustainability; Gaining ease in asking for help and seeking guidance from supervisors, mentors, and cohort members

Email ucbiteam@uw.edu