With the country's economy in a slump, the job market has become more limited for both professionals and students, officials said.
"The economy has definitely cut down on the number of paid internships," said Jay Eubank, director of career services for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
The decrease in the number of internship opportunities came as a surprise to many students and career services employees, who thought interns would be spared because the position is temporary and employers don't have to provide benefits or significant pay.
"I thought the internship area would be one area that would not be affected as much by the economy," said Shawn Graham, assistant director of University Career Services.
Career fields that have experienced the most evident decreases in internship opportunities are consulting, investment banking and advertising, Graham said.
Students said they were disappointed with many offerings in these fields, including the interviewers who came to the UCS career fairs this fall.
"There was a lot more of the mom and pop shops, and not so many big financial firms," said junior Jon Narveson. "There wasn't such a push for students."
Narveson also said he thought the companies at last year's career fair seemed more aggressive in recruiting interns, while this year's companies offered applications with the warning that they might not be able to hire interns.
But officials say there are still opportunities available for students interested in finding summer prospects, especially volunteer positions.