How To Get An Internship In College

Why does it matter that one tries for an internship in college? There are many reasons, but the main one, according to John P. Fahey Career Center at Creighton University in Nebraska is that “it can plug students into a professional network and help them develop industry contacts for when they begin a job search.”

The ‘how’ to get this accomplished comes next. Are there right and possible wrong ways of going about this task? And where does one begin?

Tips On How To Get An Internship In College

Where To Begin

To gain an edge, one can begin by asking your high school counselors if they know of any possible placements for interns. Also, check out the career centers at your college(s) of choice. Are you connected to any alumni organizations? Check out any opportunities to attend job fairs. How about your professors, family members, or friends?

What Are My Career Goals?

One thing to think about is what your career goals are. What kind of job or company would be a good fit for you? What are your interests, and your strengths? This will help you narrow down your search for the right internship.

When Are Most Internships Offered? 

Most internships are offered during the summer months as well as during the school year. It is wise to devise a plan to balance your time between studies and work, so having classes only two or three days a week might be wise. Burnout is not a good idea.

Preparing Your Application

Two of the most attractive things on your application are your resume and cover letter. You should include:

• All types of work experience (explain what learned)
• Education
• Skills
• Student H.S. clubs
• Portfolio that showcases your work, if appropriate
• Also, make certain that there are ‘no’ inappropriate things on any of your social media accounts that could hurt your application.

What Comes Next?

If you are contacted regarding your application, you will probably have to interview with the appropriate personnel. Some positive things you can do are:

• Research the company
• Know the job description and what it entails
• Practice interviewing with a friend or family member

After an interview it is always best to follow-up with an email or hand-written note to the interviewer thanking them for their time and assistance. 

(blog.collegeboard.org/how-get-internship)

Other Benefits To Doing An Internship

Having the privilege of doing an internship is more than just work experience. It can allow you to utilize the strategies and skills that you have learned in your college courses. This can help you further develop your expertise and reinforce the concepts you’ve learned.

One other pearl of truth could be something you might not have even thought of. According to Dale McLennan, dean of the Internship and Career Center at Endicott College in Massachusetts, “Doing (an internship) early in the process really gives students a chance to see if they’re in the right major and see if their initial career plans are really what they want.” Wow, did you see that one coming? This is really something to think about as a plus.

Now that you know the ins and outs of how to get the process going for a possible internship in college, I know you will be successful. You have the tools; you’ve got this!