Getting an internship is one of the most important things college students can do to start their careers off right. Internships give students valuable hands-on experience, expose them to a professional work environment before fully entering the field, and create a pipeline for employers to identify talented individuals.
Many degree programs require students to complete an internship, but the process of obtaining their internships varies by school and program. This article explores general practices and tips for finding a fulfilling internship.
Why Internships Matter
Internships are valuable because they allow students to gain real-world experience with the support of faculty and advisors before being fully thrust into the professional world. For many students, their internship may be the first time they are seeking their chosen career field up close and experiencing day-to-day life for a particular job. It also allows students to take the theoretical knowledge they’ve learned in classes and apply it to real-world situations.
They also help students build their professional network, which is essential for finding future jobs, mentorships, and other professional opportunities. In some cases, internship sites offer students jobs based on their internship performance. In other instances, internship supervisors can act as references for students as they apply for jobs.
An internship can also help students identify what they want to avoid professionally. Interns may find that working in a particular setting, like a corporate office, isn’t ideal for them, allowing them to make better decisions when they start their job search.
How to Get the Internship That’s Right For You
Clarify your goals and needs
The first step in getting an internship is clarifying what type of internship best suits your needs and goals. If you’re enrolled in a degree program that requires an internship, you’ll likely have an academic or career advisor to help guide you through this process, but it’s also important to identify your own expectations and needs.
Consider a few of the following things as you determine which internship opportunities may be right for you.
- Skills: What skills do you already possess that can help you succeed in an internship? What skills do you want to develop through this experience? Understanding what you bring to an internship and where you have room for improvement can help you identify internships that align with your skillset.
- Area of study: What type of internship opportunities exist for students in your degree program? For example, if you’re majoring in communications, you may have a lot of options, including digital or print media outlets, social media channels, public relations firms, corporate communication offices, and more.
- Experience: Once you graduate, what type of job do you want and what internship experience will best position you for that role? Perhaps you want to concentrate on getting an internship at a particular company that you want to work for or taking on specific responsibilities that will prepare you for your desired profession.
- Degree requirements: If you’re seeking an internship as part of a degree program for college credit, there are likely specific parameters your internship must meet. This can include working a certain number of hours per week or per term, having an internship supervisor on-site, and being in an accessible location if you’re completing an in-person internship.
Research internship opportunities
College students seeking internships typically start with a consultation with an academic or career advisor to identify internship sites with which the school has an established relationship.
If you’re not a currently enrolled college student or your school doesn’t have internship sites that meet your needs, you can seek out potential internships by reviewing job posting sites. Many companies will advertise available internships on these sites just like they do jobs.
You can also leverage your network by asking friends, family members, co-workers, classmates, and faculty for ideas. Begin putting out feelers well before your intended internship start date to give yourself enough time to identify the right fit.
If you have a specific internship site in mind, visit its website or contact its human resources department directly to inquire about internship opportunities. Even if it doesn’t currently have an internship program, it may be willing to establish one for the right candidate.
Create your resume and cover letter
If you haven’t yet created a resume, now is the time to do so, as this will be an essential part of applying for internships. Highlight all your educational, work, and volunteer experiences and achievements relevant to the internship role you’re seeking.
One way to do this is by using the STAR format. This acronym for your work experience bullet points stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Then, work to quantify your impact by showing how you achieved your goals at your previous position. Your employer may have to read through many different applications, so make your resume as concise and easy to read as possible. If you’re applying for multiple internships, tailor your resume to each potential site.
While your resume shows your experience and skills, you’ll also want a cover letter that adds depth to your application by demonstrating who you are as an applicant and why you’re a good fit for the internship. Like your resume, your cover letter should also be customized for each internship you apply for.
Review your social media profiles
As you begin applying for internships, now is a good time to adjust your social media profiles, as job recruiters frequently use social media to research candidates. If you don’t have a professional profile on a site like LinkedIn, now is a good time to set up an account. Another option is creating a professional website, which can be helpful if you’re entering a field where you need a portfolio of past work.
Review your existing social media accounts to remove inappropriate or suggestive content and ensure that you’re presenting yourself in a professional way. Some people set their accounts to private so potential employers cannot see it at all. While this is one option, not having any social media accounts will seem suspicious to a modern employer. Instead of making them question what you are hiding, make sure any searchable posts or profile photos are job-appropriate.
Prepare for your interview
In most cases, you must participate in an interview before obtaining an internship, which is valuable practice for your eventual job interviews.
Before your interview, research the company. Learn about their products or services, recent milestones, and company culture. You may be asked about these topics in the interview, so learn as much as you can beforehand. This will also help you prepare questions that show the interviewer that you are interested in the position and help you determine whether you want to intern with this company.
In addition to learning about the company, practice answering interview questions with a friend or classmate. Be specific with your answers by including examples, statistics, or personal experiences. If you are uncertain about what to say, you can always ask for a minute to think about your answer. Practicing will also help you relax and feel confident so you can show your authentic self to interviewers.
The last step is following up with interviewers by thanking them for their time and reinforcing your interest in the internship. An email is usually sufficient, although some may opt for a handwritten note. Either way, send a thank you email within 24 hours of your interview. Make sure to end it with a call-to-action encouraging them to contact you for anything else they need.
Interested in a degree instead?
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.