How to Find an Internship in College
Whether you’re in high school or already in college, internships are a great way to gain professional experience and learn more about your career goals.
However, finding the perfect internship can be challenging. Here are some tips to help you find the best opportunities for you:
1. Networking
Networking is a key skill that can help you find an internship in college and make the most of your experience. It isn’t something that many students focus on, but it can be a great way to meet new people and expand your professional network.
The best networking skills are those that you learn early in your career, which is why it’s so important to start developing your network as a freshman. You can do this by talking to friends, family members, and faculty about your goals and interests in college and beyond.
Another benefit of starting your networking in college is that it will give you a better idea of what types of jobs are available to you after graduation. For example, if you know that you’re interested in marketing and sales, then you might want to consider internships in these areas.
You can also connect with other students with similar majors to share information and experiences. For instance, if you’re a female finance major and want to network with other women in the field, you might consider joining a finance-focused LinkedIn group or talking with other female business majors.
When you’re networking, the goal is to establish a relationship with someone who can help you in the future. This could be a mentor who helps you with a job application or an employer who can refer you to an internship opportunity.
Those with good networking skills will find it easier to establish relationships than those who don’t. They will also be more likely to build long-lasting connections that are active and maintained.
One of the best ways to network in college is by attending events related to your major or career field. You can also connect with your professors or other college employees who have been in your career field and might be able to offer advice about where to look for internships or how to get into the industry.
You should also make sure to attend career fairs if they are available in your area. These are typically free and can be a great way to meet professionals in your field and get tips on how to get an internship or find a job after graduation.
2. Searching
Whether you’re looking to complete an internship for credit or to secure a job for the summer, it’s important to start your search early. This can help you avoid missing deadlines or having your application denied because the company isn’t accepting interns yet.
Internships are a great way to gain real-world experience in your field and enhance your resume. They also allow you to practice your interview skills and give you a leg up when applying for a full-time job.
If you’re a college student, there are a number of resources that can help you find an internship opportunity. One of the best places to look is your school’s career center. They’ll be able to let you know about upcoming internships in your field and can guide you through the application process.
Another place to search for internships is on LinkedIn, which is a social networking site that connects students with professional opportunities. Creating an account and adding your details to the platform will allow you to search for internships in your area.
You can also talk to your friends, family and coworkers about their experiences with internships. You’ll be able to hear first-hand about which internship sites were helpful, how many times they applied and what the overall experience was like.
Some universities have special programs that offer funding for students to complete internships. These programs often match students with paid internships, and some even offer scholarships for specific internships.
Your internship is a part of your college experience, and it’s important to make the most of it. However, it’s important to remember that you’re still a student and need to be conscious of your time.
Ideally, you should schedule your internship around your class load so that you can maximize your learning and keep your grades up. This will help you get the most out of your internship and avoid getting overwhelmed or burned out.
You should also take the time to learn more about your internship’s responsibilities and expectations. This will help you determine whether it’s right for you. If it’s not, you can easily find a different position that suits your needs.
3. Attending Career Fairs
Attending career fairs is a great way to meet recruiters and learn more about potential internship opportunities. These events are also a good place to network with other students. Unlike online job searches, these events allow you to connect with many companies at once, making it easier to find an internship that is right for your career goals and interests.
Whether you are a student looking for an internship or a recent graduate seeking a job, attending a college career fair is an important step in your search process. It provides you with the opportunity to network with employers, build your resume, and interview in person.
It is a good idea to make a prioritized list of employers you would like to meet with before the event. This will help you get the most out of the experience and to ensure that you are speaking with the best possible organizations.
If you are not able to go to a physical fair, virtual fairs are also available through Handshake. You can find upcoming virtual career fairs and events by clicking the Events tab on your Handshake dashboard. You can filter by date and whether they are a Career Fair or Virtual.
You can also follow the employers you are interested in and be notified when they are planning to attend a virtual fair. This will allow you to keep track of their upcoming events and connect with them on Handshake.
While virtual fairs are a great way to meet recruiters, they can be a little intimidating at first. Before you begin, take a little time to research each employer and their profiles. This will help you prioritize the employers that you want to speak with and will make it much easier to decide which companies to attend.
Once you have a list of prospective employers, start researching their culture, the types of jobs they offer, and other information you may need to know about them. Be sure to write down their names and contact information, so you can easily remember them when it comes time to speak with them at the virtual fair.
4. Getting a Letter of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation (LoR) can help you secure an internship in college by highlighting your work ethic and character. It may also be used to help you obtain scholarships or grad school admissions.
The letter should be written by someone who has supervised or worked with the applicant during their internship. It should describe the candidate’s strengths and how they contribute to the internship or academic program, such as leadership skills, hard work, or dedication.
When choosing an employee to write a LoR, choose someone who knows the student well and who has a positive opinion of their work and character, says Steven Roy Goodman, an educational consultant and admissions strategist in Washington, D.C. Students often ask teachers for letters of recommendation during high school, but it can be helpful to choose a supervisor, coach or manager in a related field, especially if they were involved with the applicant during their internships.
To get a letter of recommendation, start by communicating with your supervisor or manager in person and making sure they know you’re planning to apply for college. You can share your earliest application deadlines, the majors you’re interested in and why you want them to write a LoR for you.
Once you have the letter in hand, make sure you send it back to them as soon as possible. This will give them plenty of time to write it and submit it before the deadline.
You should also check in with your recommender a few times to ensure they are on track to submit their LoR and to see if any additional information is needed. You should also follow up after the internship to thank them for their support and to update them on your job hunting process.
Getting a letter of recommendation can be difficult, but it’s worth the effort. It will help you stand out from the competition and gain acceptance into your dream college!
A good recommendation letter will be descriptive, personal and complementary to the applicant’s application, not redundant. It should include specific examples of the applicant’s achievements and qualities, says John Sherman, assistant professor of counseling at Penn State University. The letter should also include the recommender’s opinion about the applicant’s character and commitment, suggests David Heckman, associate director of counseling at Columbia University.