Seize Your Superpower
Out of state students bring a unique perspective and bold spirit to UCSB by choosing to pursue their education far from home. By stepping outside of your comfort zone, you have already demonstrated self-reliance, autonomy, and flexibility—qualities that are highly valued by employers and graduate programs alike.
As an out of state student, you have access to resources that help you discover career options, gain experience through jobs and internships, get hired for meaningful opportunities, and explore graduate school to continue your academic journey after UCSB.
Career Services is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you are planning to launch your career in California, return to your home state, or explore opportunities elsewhere, we are committed to helping you clarify your goals and take action toward success.
Career Services is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you are planning to launch your career in California, return to your home state, or explore opportunities elsewhere, we are committed to helping you clarify your goals and take action toward success.
As an out-state student, here are three items you can quickly immerse yourself during your academic journey at UCSB:
- No wait and drop by anytime to the Career Resource Room - no appointment needed to see a career counselor to help with your career goals!
- Explore Handshake and look for an internship, on-campus, part-time or full-time job in California or within proximity to your hometown!
- Check out our calendar featuring career workshops and events this quarter to help prepare you to be career ready!
Key Campus Resources @ UCSB
Provided by Career Services.
Gain Experience: Out of State Students
For complete information on internships, student jobs, research opportunities, extracurriculars, and more, review our starter tips to Gain Experience in all careers as well as the specialized tips on this page.
Overview
Beyond your academic achievements, gaining hands-on experience is essential to building strong qualifications for your future career. Employers and graduate schools value candidates who can demonstrate learning and growth beyond the classroom.
As an out of state student, pursuing these opportunities can also help you feel more connected to UCSB and the California community. Whether through internships, research, or involvement in student organizations, these experiences allow you to test out career interests, challenge assumptions you may have had about certain fields, and strengthen your resume along the way.
To start building your foundation, consider joining campus organizations (see our Extracurriculars page) or finding on-campus employment (see our Student Jobs page). These are great ways to not only build skills but also create a sense of belonging while living away from home. The enthusiasm and adaptability you bring to these experiences will shine in future interviews and demonstrate the transferable skills you have gained during your time at UCSB.
Types of Experience
Click below for various experiential opportunities to consider as an out of state student.
Internships provide an important way to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting. For out of state students, they also offer valuable exposure to California’s diverse industries, such as technology, entertainment, agriculture, and sustainability. While some internships are unpaid especially in fields like nonprofits, education, and healthcare, they still remain highly valuable experiences, particularly if you plan to pursue graduate school.
If financial barriers make it difficult to accept an unpaid internship, be sure to explore the UCSB Internship Scholarship Program, which can help support your participation. You may also consider looking for remote internships in your home state during breaks, allowing you to expand your network in multiple regions.
Learn More
Visit our Internships page for information on finding and applying for opportunities.
As an out of state student, you have already demonstrated courage by leaving home to pursue your education in California. Adding a study abroad experience can further expand your perspective, help you gain multicultural skills, and strengthen your global career readiness. Many programs are surprisingly affordable. Some are even comparable to the cost of a quarter at UCSB.
Scholarships are available to offset costs, including options like the Fund for Education Abroad and the University Study Abroad Consortium. Employers value the independence and cross-cultural competencies gained from these experiences, which can help set you apart after graduation.
Learn More
See our Extracurriculars page for additional resources to explore.
Engaging in research is another way to gain meaningful experience while strengthening connections on campus. As an out of state student, building relationships with UCSB faculty can help you feel more anchored in your academic community. Programs like the Faculty Research Assistance Program (FRAP) make it easy to get involved, even in your first year.
Research experience is especially important if you are considering graduate school or careers in academia, healthcare, or STEM fields. By working closely with faculty and graduate students, you’ll develop valuable mentorship connections while enhancing your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Learn More
Explore our Research page to see how to get started.
Additional Career Resources
As an out of state student, you may be interested in expanding your professional networks in both California and your home state. Career Services offers resources to help you connect with alumni nationwide and pursue opportunities across regions. Check out Handshake and be able to search proximity to your home state to locate an internship, part-time, on-campus or full-time employment. You can also explore national organizations such as The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, which provide out-of-state students with professional experiences and mentorship in fields like public policy, business, and communications.
As an out of state student, think strategically about building experience in two regions—California and your home state. While you are at UCSB, explore local internships, on-campus jobs, and research to expand your network in California. At the same time, use school breaks to pursue opportunities back home, keeping your connections strong and opening doors in multiple locations after graduation. This dual approach ensures that when you graduate, you will have a broader set of career options, whether you choose to stay in California, return to your home state, or explore somewhere entirely new.
