This article originally appeared in the Resolutions print issue, in stands February 2026. It has not been updated and some information may be out of date.
For many students, arriving at the University of Utah starts with earning a degree. Looking at student experiences across campus shows how those who look beyond the classroom have used their time at the U to harness opportunities that coursework couldn’t offer.
Through internships, jobs, research and volunteering, students at the U have described how taking part outside of classes has impacted their schooling.
Jobs and volunteering
Mattie Stewart, a first-year English student, took a position at the Bennion Center at the U. Typically, the Bennion Center offers volunteer opportunities for students seeking community engagement. However, the center offers job tutoring to underserved elementary school kids. Mattie said she loves how communities in Salt Lake City can be served by the U. “This program being done through the U gives students a really great opportunity to branch out and better their communities in ways they previously wouldn’t have,” she said.
Mattie believes that the Bennion Center is a “good place for students to come and converge on things that they all care about and want to make a difference in.” She said this makes the center a great resource for building community, both on campus and off campus. Through her role, Mattie said she can “see improvement in students and build connections with them.”
Daily Utah Chronicle Arts Writer Nate Thorne received a position at the U teaching Yoga classes in the Student Life Center. Nate said that he got his job after he went into the Student Life Center and asked to apply to be an instructor. Nate got his instructor certification after 200 hours of training, but believes that is only the tip of the iceberg.
Thorne said that the U has many opportunities, but they’re in “hidden corners.” He said that these corners require initiative to uncover because they don’t happen in spaces that are immediately noticeable. The U, he said, is uniquely supportive in this regard. Thorne said students should “100%” chase these opportunities because the University “knows that we’re learning, and it’s a place to be educated and also make mistakes because the U is mindful of that and is forgiving.”
Research
Nathan Murthy, a fourth-year student, entered the university as a business major, but he eventually shifted into biology and then earth and environmental science. Murthy followed interests that emerged once he let himself explore other options. Through the Wilkes Scholars Program, Murthy was able to fund his research and work closely with faculty. Eventually, Nathan worked and submitted his research to be published in a journal.
Through his work, Murthy was able to travel to Turkey for field research involving satellite tracking of wildlife. He said that this was possible because he “just asked” if he could go to Turkey. “I was nervous I’d get shot down, but it never hurts to ask.”
Murthy said research taught him how to “push through plateaus” and commit to ideas even when outcomes were uncertain. These experiences opened new doors. Nathan is now a student science writer who also pursues policy writing. Murthy said he now wants to pursue film after making wildlife documentaries.
Like the Wilkes Center, Murthy said there are many places on campus that provide chances for undergraduate research. Murthy said he “made emphasis to do everything [he] could” with the time he had at the U. He said to try things out, even if the opportunity isn’t perfect. He believes that finding what you love is “all about the detours.”
Internships
Mei Li Han, a student with an internship from the Hinckley Institute, has gained skills working in the United States Senate. Han is responsible for responding to constituent calls, giving visitors tours of the Capitol building, and helping with tasks around the office. She is also assigned to a legislative team that covers foreign affairs and the U.S. military.
Through this, Han has developed skills that no she says no classroom could provide. “This internship has taught me a totally different skill set than I’ve learned in the classroom,” she said, “ it’s given me invaluable insight into a possible future career.” Han said it was eye-opening to see all the ways that a degree could be used in that setting.
The Hinckley Institute also provides a chance to earn credits through its internships. Han said she was earning “twelve full credits while working.” She said this allowed her to have more freedom during her time working.
Han added that the Hinckley Institute was “incredible in helping make this opportunity work.” She said that through the Institute and the University, “there are endless options, not just in DC, but locally and around the globe, that can provide incredible opportunities and work experience.”
Why it matters
Thorne said, “Yes, students should harness these opportunities.” He said it requires more than “simply submitting an application.” To him, it meant actively seeking out experiences aligned with their interests and committing time beyond the classroom. “It’s so important to explore all the different facets of yourself,” Nate said.
Stewart said that finding opportunities outside of the classroom amplifies student experiences. “In turn, you get a lot out of it,” she said. “You get a lot of understanding that you can use to further your careers and your academic goals.”
According to Stewart, the students who get the most out of their time at the U are often the ones who ask questions, seek out programs, and say yes to opportunities. “Everybody going to the U is here to get an education, but I think that there are things that you can only learn by doing,” she said.
