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With the economic downturn and the increasing presence of experienced professionals in the job market, undergraduate college internships are becoming even more important than ever before. When applying for jobs after graduation, employers want to see that the candidate has done something during the past four years besides going to class and studying. Extracurricular activities and volunteer work are important resume boosters, but one, two or even three internships signify experience, motivation and passion. Undergrads are slowly realizing how crucial a college internship is for their career goals making the internship search process very competitive. So how can you land your first internship? Here are some tips to start:
Start now
There is no better time to start the internship search process
than right now. Summer internship opportunities can fill even before
the holiday season depending on how competitive the process. Search
local companies online and review their internship opportunities. Pay
close attention to deadlines. Make sure your resume is up to date.
Talk to you parents
You may be surprised to know that your parents can serve as invaluable networking tools. As an up and coming member of the working world, you may have very few professional contacts to ask about internship opportunities. Ask your parents if they know of any people working in your desired field or ask them to put you in touch with someone at their company who is your field of choice. Even if you can set up an informational interview with a parent’s coworker, you have started the essential networking process.
Go to your university career
center
Most post-secondary institutions house a career center on campus for students. Many centers offer students a chance to participate in mock interviews, improve their resume and search for internship opportunities. Some career centers even bring employers on campus for internship interviews. Ask your advisor what services are available and try to connect with an alumni in your desired field.
Search online
The information age has changed many aspects of our culture’s everyday life, including how we job search. Use general internet searches for internships in your area or sign up with www.CareerServices.com to see what opportunities are available near you. The internet is one of the greatest resources known to our generation—use it.
Be flexible
When searching for your first internship, you may have to commit to hours that cut into your intramural basketball schedule or your club meetings. Understand that balance is key throughout college and life. While it is important to be involved in school activities and clubs, it is also essential to get work experience before graduation. Try to prioritize your activities to accommodate a part-time internship during the school year or a full-time internship during the summer months. Down the road you will be thankful that you sacrificed a few extras for a meaningful internship experience.
Be realistic
Your first internship may not be at a large corporate headquarters, and you may not be earning anything above minimum wage, if that at all. The first internship is a gateway to future opportunities so realize that you may have to take a non-paying or low-paying internship now with hopes of finding a paid internship later in your college career. Many local non-profit organizations love to have interns assist with their daily operations but cannot afford to pay an hourly wage. Volunteer at these types of organizations and get some unpaid experience before expecting a paid position. Future employers are often impressed when job candidates have put in volunteer hours at smaller organizations because the candidate most likely worked in multiple aspects of the company instead of specializing in one department.
Follow up
After finding an internship opening, applying and interviewing, be sure to follow up with the interviewer by phone or e-mail. Be sure to address him or her formally, even if it is an e-mail, and express your thankfulness for the opportunity. Ask to be notified even if you are not chosen for the position to show a genuine interest in the position. Lastly, send the interviewer a handwritten thank you card. We may be in the midst of the information age, but handwritten thank you cards still convey a sense of deep appreciation. If you get the internship, your boss will respect you for your professional conduct and even if you don’t get the internship, you can guarantee that he or she will look at your resume twice in the future if you apply at that company again.