Places to Find Great Internships: You’ve been looking for that perfect internship opportunity to gain some real-world experience and build up your resume, but your search hasn’t turned up much so far. Don’t get discouraged yet – there are some great resources out there that you may not have tapped into. In this article, we’ll walk through five go-to spots that you can mine for incredible internship openings.
From niche job boards to your own university’s career center to LinkedIn and more, you’ll get the inside scoop on where you can expand your search and finally land that dream internship. So keep reading to unlock some new places to point your internship compass toward!
5 Places to Find Great Internships
Looking for an internship but not sure where to start? Here are five great places to find opportunities that will give you hands-on experience in your desired field:
- Your University’s Career Center
Most colleges and universities have career centers dedicated to helping students find jobs and internships. Visit your school’s career center website or office to browse position listings and get help tailoring your resume. Many centers also host internship fairs.
- Professional Associations
Joining an industry group or professional association like the American Marketing Association opens up access to their job boards. These niche sites tend to list more specialized internship opportunities targeted to a particular field.
- Company Websites
Don’t forget to check the career sections on company sites for open intern positions. Look for businesses you admire in your industry or local community. Applying directly shows initiative.
- LinkedIn
Create a LinkedIn profile highlighting your skills, join relevant LinkedIn groups and follow companies you like. Many internship listings are posted here. You can also connect with professionals in your desired field.
- Internships.com
This large internship search engine has listings across various industries. You can narrow options by location, company size and application deadline. Sign up for customized email alerts on new postings.
Cast a wide net across these options to find the best internship match. Starting early and being persistent are key – quality experiences go quickly. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get something right away. With determination, you’ll land a great opportunity!
How to Apply Internships
When you find an internship of interest, follow these steps to submit a strong application:
1. Research the company
Spend some time learning about the company’s mission, values, and work culture. Understand the role you are applying for and how interns contribute. Use this to tailor your application. Be sure to convey your genuine interest.
2. Highlight relevant experience
Even if you don’t have direct experience, draw parallels from class projects, extracurriculars, volunteer work, or jobs. Focus on skills that would enable you to add value as an intern. Emphasize your ability to learn quickly too.
3. Put together a resume and cover letter
Have both documents reviewed by career counseling services on campus. Convey why you want this particular internship and what distinguishes you. Show how your abilities align with company needs.
4. Prepare for interviews
Practice answering common questions confidently. Research typical interview formats. Schedule mock interviews with career services for feedback. Develop thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers too.
5. Follow instructions carefully
Follow guidelines on how to submit application materials. Adhere to deadlines, formatting rules, and other specifications showing you can follow directions. Double check that your submission is complete.
6. Follow up appropriately
Send brief, polite follow up emails if you don’t hear back according to the timeline shared by the company. Usually two to four weeks after applying is appropriate for checking in.
Applying for internships takes time but is worth the effort. Follow these pointers to put your best foot forward. With some preparation and persistence, you can land an incredible opportunity to gain experience and expand your professional network.
FAQs
- Where can I find internships that fit my major and career goals? The best places to find major-specific internships include your school’s career services office, company websites in your industry, and job sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Internships.com. For example, marketing and communications majors can look at PR firms and advertising agencies, while computer science majors can check tech companies and startups. Focus your search on organizations relevant to your desired career path.
- When is the best time to apply for summer internships? Start searching for and applying to summer internships the fall and winter before. Prime application periods are usually September through November for the upcoming summer. Popular internships fill up fast, so apply early for the best chance at landing your preferred roles.
- Should I expect to get paid as an intern? Many companies do offer paid internships, especially in fields like engineering, computer science, and business. However, some industries and organizations are more likely to have unpaid roles for college credit instead of wages. Nonprofits, government agencies, political campaigns, and smaller companies often lack the budgets to pay interns. Check the details of each listing to see if it’s paid or unpaid before applying.
- What if I’m interested in an internship abroad? Look into international internships and programs coordinated through your university’s study abroad office. There are also third-party providers that facilitate placements around the world. Be prepared for extra documentation like passport/visa paperwork for international roles. These globally-focused experiences can build valuable intercultural skills.
- How can I make the most of any internship?
To maximize your internship, come prepared to learn, take initiative on projects, network across your organization, ask thoughtful questions, and document your contributions for your resume. Doing great work and forming connections can lead to job opportunities post-graduation. An internship is a chance to gain real skills, explore careers, and impress hiring managers in your field.
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