Through your core and elective coursework, you will have the opportunity to tackle career-relevant experiences such as team projects, presentation practice, dashboard development, RFP response practice, stakeholder communications, and data analysis. Structured applied learning experiences including internships and Capstone projects cement this learning.

Internships

Internships give MSIM students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in professional settings, build experiences that employers value and strengthen their path toward higher-impact roles. Through internship work, students practice translating their skills in information management, data, technology and communication into real organizational value while expanding their professional networks in Seattle and beyond. Students also receive support and mentorship from their internship instructor, who helps them connect their academic work to practical experience and reflect on how that experience advances their career goals.

“I’ve had a couple internships since doing MSIM and my favorite one, I think, would have to be my data science internship at Costco. It was the first time I got to really see data science applications at an industry scale.”

— Jesse Velasquez, ’22

Capstone

Early-Career students are required to complete a three-quarter Capstone project. Culminating experiential learning projects provide students the opportunities to:

• Synthesize their classroom learning into a tangible product that solves a real-world problem.
• Demonstrate their teamwork, problem-solving, critical-thinking, managerial, and technical skills to potential employers.
• Network with local industry partners and gain insight into how various companies work.

“On a technical level, I gained hands-on experience with Python, especially in building scalable validation systems and learning how to approach messy, real-world data. But more importantly, I learned how to approach problem-solving when there isn’t a clear starting point — and how to work through ambiguity in a structured and strategic way.”

— Tanvi Save, ’25

Capstone Highlight

In 2026, a group of MSIM students worked with a nonprofit organization to ensure the effectiveness and safety of He@lio, a mental health chatbot designed for teens. They researched the challenges facing teens, established safety measures, revised and created prompts to mirror real-world conversations, and tested the tool using human-centered design principles. Learn more. 

Practicum

During their final quarter, Early-Career Accelerated students will complete a one-quarter Practicum, composed of an industry-sponsored team project, a faculty-sponsored research project or an internship. Practicum students will see similar benefits to students completing internships or Capstone projects, but on a condensed timeline for busy individuals.