���Ǻ���

Austin gets a lot of attention, and much of it is deserved. The city’s music, culture, outdoor spaces, and food scene are part of what make it special. But for Hilltoppers, Austin’s real value goes deeper than its reputation. It’s a place where learning extends beyond campus, and where opportunity is woven into everyday life.

From internships at innovative startups to research at a 227-acre wilderness preserve just miles from campus, and from community service to faculty who are active leaders in their fields, Austin helps shape the ���Ǻ��� experience in tangible ways. The list goes beyond these highlights, but we hope you’ll explore a few of the ways our students are taking advantage of all the city has to offer.

Image

Live Music That Opens Professional Doors

Known as the Live Music Capital of the World, visitors come to Austin for the annual South by Southwest and Austin City Limits festivals. Through Career and Professional Development’s Career Treks, students have had the opportunity to visit SXSW and ACL Live to network. Through the SXSW Career Trek, Public Relations major Cressida Rodriguez, ‘27, earned an internship with SXSW and continues to grow her event planning business. 

Nature, Just Minutes from Campus

Need a break from the indoors? Explore some of Austin’s best outdoor features like Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool for year-round swimming, and Blunn Creek Nature Preserve—all within a couple of minutes from campus.

A Front-Row Seat to Journalism and Public Policy

If you’re interested in public policy or journalism, you came to the right city! Every fall, the nonprofit newspaper,  in downtown Austin. Students can attend for a discounted rate to join the conversations with state and national leaders about how to tackle some of our most pressing issues.

Business Leaders, Right Here on Campus

The Bill Munday School of Business brings keynote speakers from national organizations to campus—including the CEO of Human Tequila (an alumnus) and VP of Marketing at Tecovas—to discuss leadership, management and innovation in the 21st century. 

Service That’s Rooted in the Community

Approximately 70 students participate in S.E.R.V.E. Austin each semester, which coordinates ongoing weekly commitments at locations like Central Texas Food Bank, Casa Marianella and Keep Austin Beautiful. S.E.R.V.E. 1 Day brings together about 100 students from ���Ǻ��� on one Saturday each month to volunteer at five different sites across the city.

Image

Hands-On Research in a Living Laboratory

The Wild Basin Creative Research Center at ���Ǻ��� University is leading Austin Wildlife Watch, the city’s biodiversity monitoring initiative, by installing 26 motion-sensitive cameras in green spaces across the city. Located just 10 miles from campus within the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, the Research Center is an innovative field research station hosting creative opportunities for students across majors. Students can engage in existing research or create their own projects, all while receiving support from dedicated faculty and staff. The preserve is also open for hiking every day, offering almost three miles of beautiful trails.

Learning Government at the State Capitol

Students get an up-close look at politics and government, thanks to the university’s location in the state capitol. In 2021, Political Science major Michelle Flores ’22 was awarded a Texas Legislative Fellowship to work full-time in the office of State Senator Cesar Blanco.

Internships That Make an Impact

���Ǻ��� student interns contribute to the local community, raising money for nonprofits like Six Square by helping write grant proposals. They have interned at the Texas Homeless Network, in the bird department at the San Antonio Zoo, and with the Austin Film Society.

Turning Ideas into Action

Each year, dozens of students across majors pitch their innovative business ideas to local Austin entrepreneurs and investors during 3-Day Startup. This program gives participants the hands-on experience of starting a company.

Where Texas Craft Brewing Meets Scholarship

The Archive and Special Collections Center at the Munday Library is home to the collection and hosts the annual HillHops: A Celebration of Texas Brewery on campus. This public event brings dozens of Texas breweries to the hilltop, and offers insightful panel discussions about women in breweries, Black leaders in breweries, and more. Previous breweries have included ., founded by alumnus Patrick Clark ‘03; , founded by alumnus Ben Sabin ‘09; Saint Arnold, Black Star Co-op Pub & Brewery and many more. 

Learning from Accomplished Writers and Scholars

Enhance your writing by learning from published authors. Associate Professor of Creative Writing Sasha West is the author of “Failure and I Bury the Body”, which won the National Poetry Series and the Texas Institute of Letters First Book of Poetry Award. “How to Abandon Ship,” West’s second book, won the Writers’ League of Texas prize for poetry in 2025. Stephen King, professor and chairperson of the Department of Communication, serves on the editorial board for the journal “Rock Music Studies”. King’s research focuses on the relationship of rhetoric and social movements. In 2023, he co-authored the book “Terror and Truth: Civil Rights Tourism and the Mississippi Movement.”

Professional Insight for Future Accountants

Each fall, graduate and undergraduate accounting students get tips from practicing accountants from across the field—KPMG to the Texas State Auditor’s Office—as part of the Annual Accounting Student Retreat. 

Image

A Campus-Wide Commitment to Service

is an annual and nationally recognized service day, connecting students with four local organizations to support our Austin community. During Big Event, the ���Ǻ��� Community members volunteer on campus, beautifying the hilltop and supporting the Students for Sustainability Campus Garden. Off campus, Hilltoppers give their time and service to the Central Texas Food Bank and Austin Pets Alive!

Career Pathways Built Through Local Partnerships

Partnerships and connections between Austin and ���Ǻ��� open doors to internships for students to build career skills and deepen their knowledge in their majors. Finance student Christoph Hoermann ’21 gained expertise in his major by interning with J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and University Federal Credit Union.

A Thriving Performing Arts Scene

Each year, local professional actors and production artists work alongside student Theatre Arts majors to stage four outstanding plays in the award-winning Mary Moody Northern Theatre. Hits have included Cabaret, Romeo and Juliet, and Pride and Prejudice.

Faculty Voices in Local and National Conversations

Professors of Political Science Brian Smith and David Thomason are go-to experts for many Austin television stations, regularly sharing their perspective on local and national news coverage of elections, civic policies and more.

Launching Careers in a Creative, Growing City

Graduates of ���Ǻ��� often launch their careers in Austin’s thriving business and creative scene, such as these three Hilltoppers working with Austin animation studio Minnow Mountain, and many of these 200 alumni trailblazers.

BONUS

Austin is a global force, tech innovation hub and culture capital. But it’s also a lot of fun — home to great ice cream and coffee (essentials for late-night studying), outdoor activities and live-music venues all around. Check out 10 favorite Hilltopper spots and why college in Austin is great.