Alyssa Handeland, kinesiology and health graduate of 2013, interned at NASA Kennedy Space Center last spring in Merrit Island, Florida.

Internships, student teaching, and other practicum experiences play a key role in students' experiences at Iowa State University, as we work to expand human potential and improve people's lives.

These real-life experiences allow theory and practice to work together to support student learning. Each year, internships allow hundreds of College of Human Sciences students to roll up their sleeves and apply their knowledge beyond the classroom.

Some travel across the country to intern with the National Football League, Bellagio in Las Vegas, and well-known fashion designers in New York and California. Others test their skills abroad in places like London and Shanghai.

Most stay closer to home, working in Iowa schools and at companies such as Hy-Vee, Meredith and Wells Enterprises, the maker of Blue Bunny ice cream. In many cases, alumni have been key in creating these opportunities for our students.

The winter 2013-2014 issue of College of Human Sciences Matters magazine showcases the benefits of internships. They not only prepare students for careers and give them the inside track to jobs, but they also build a pipeline of talent for business and industry.

More than 1,000 students share their internship experiences through a database called Career Connections. If your employer doesn't currently have an internship program, you might consider bringing an intern on board to lighten your workload and enhance your organization.