Turning your education into a career is kind of like stacking blocks. As you move through grade school, middle school, high school, and eventually college, each year is laying the groundwork for success in the next year.
But in order to bridge the gap between your education and a career, most industries will require you to stack a different kind of block: an internship. Internships give you valuable experience in your field of choice, along with helping you to build your professional network.
Actually getting an internship can be difficult – especially in competitive industries – but there are strategies you can use to improve your odds. Here’s what you need to know about finding and securing an internship.
Talk to the Career Services Department
Most colleges have a career services or career development department where administrators help students find jobs and internships. Do a Google search for “career services” and your university to see what options may be available. You may have to make an appointment to connect with someone who can give you a list of possible internships.
It’s best to start with your college because they often have guaranteed internship spots with certain companies. If you’ve already declared a major, your specific department or school may have its own career counselor. Talk to them first, as they may be more knowledgeable than the general career services office.
Some schools even have internship fairs, where companies visit schools and set up booths where you can learn more and pick up applications.
Ask People for Suggestions
Once you’ve met with the career services department, contact any adults you know, like professors, teaching assistants, advisors, and mentors to ask if they know of any internship opportunities. Don’t be afraid to reach out to high school teachers, old coaches, or former bosses. You never know who has a connection that can help you.
It’s important to ask people directly because you’re more likely to land an internship when you have a personal connection to the job. Knowing the right person can help your application get noticed when it would normally be buried.
Don’t feel awkward or uncomfortable about reaching out. Most adults are used to these requests and are happy to help. Just be polite and respectful when contacting them.
Create a Google Alert
If you’re looking for a specific kind of internship, set up a Google Alert that contains relevant keywords. For example, if you’re searching for a mechanical engineering internship, create a Google alert for “mechanical engineering internship.” Create as many Google Alerts with as many different iterations as you can imagine, like “mechanical engineering internship” and your city or state.
You can have Google Alerts emailed to you daily, weekly, or as soon as they’re posted. When you find an interesting opportunity, set it aside to examine it more closely later.
Make a List of Companies
Many small companies don’t list internship opportunities on their website, so it can take some digging to see if they offer anything. Make a list of companies you’re interested in working for and contact them personally.
For example, if you’re a graphic design major, create a list of graphic design, advertising, or marketing companies near you. Then, contact their HR department to see if they’re looking for interns.
Look on Job Boards
While job boards may be an easy way to search for internships, it can be difficult to get noticed. Public internship posts are usually the most competitive, which is why we recommend starting with personal connections first and moving on to job sites later. It’s much easier to get an internship when you know someone than when you’re just one out of several dozen applicants.
Once you’re ready to apply using job boards, here is a list of the most popular sites:
- Indeed
- Internships.com
- Glassdoor
- Internmatch.com
Create an account and enable email notifications so you’ll know when a new internship is posted. Once you find a listing you’re interested in, visit that company’s LinkedIn page and see if there are any alumni working there. You can connect with them, mention you’re applying for the internship, and ask if they have any tips.
Tips for Applying for Internships
Applying for an internship can be daunting if it’s your first time. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Start early
It’s never too soon to start looking for an internship. Some of the most prestigious opportunities have early due dates, so the sooner you start looking, the better chance you’ll have of nabbing a spot.
Some internships require a recommendation letter, which may take a few weeks to procure. Give yourself enough time to craft a quality application to increase the chances of being selected.
Pay careful attention if a company lists a deadline to apply for an internship. If you don’t see a deadline listed, contact the company and ask what their deadline is.
Watch out for typos
When you’re applying for a competitive internship, it’s crucial to stand out – but not in a bad way. Accidentally including typos and basic errors in your application, resume, or cover letter is a surefire way to be passed over for the position you’re seeking.
Go through your documents carefully and use spell check on everything. If possible, have a parent or friend look over your resume to ensure it’s error-free.
If you’re applying for an internship through an online portal, type your answers in a Google Doc first so you can use the spell check feature, then copy and paste the answers. You can also use a free service like Grammarly to catch style mistakes.
Sell yourself
Anytime you’re applying for a job or internship, you have to prove why you’re the best candidate. Talk about any previous experience you’ve had and how you can bring those skills to your internship. If you don’t have any direct experience in the field you’re interested in, get creative with how you tie accomplishments and life experiences to your appeal as a candidate.
Make sure to reference something you know about the company in your application. This shows you’re interested in that particular internship, as opposed to just desperately looking for anyone to hire you.
Disclaimers
