Let’s face it: internships are important. Some might say they are vital to landing that first job post-graduation. Research indicated that 95% of employers look at candidate experience as a factor in their hiring decisions. What’s more, 62% of 2013 college graduates had at least one internship experience under their belt before grabbing their diploma.
Sure, there are tons of internships out there, but sometimes just finding an internship can be the hardest part of the process. Here are 4 quick tips to help YOU filter through the clutter and find the internship of your dreams:
1. Check yourself (before you wreck yourself)
One of the easiest ways to experience burnout during the internship search is to go in without any idea of what you might be looking for. Carve out a solid hour of your time—the latest episode of Scandal can wait until the weekend—to brainstorm: careers you might be interested in pursuing, what you hope to accomplish during an internship and your “non negotiables.” These can be anything from time commitment to paid or unpaid opportunities, to location.
Chances are, you have some idea of what kind of career you want to pursue. If you don’t, head on over to the Career Center or consult your internet BFF, Google. Spend a bit of time researching possible careers in an industry you are passionate about. Like numbers? Google: Careers in finance. Marketing guru? Google: Careers in marketing.
2. Start with what you do know
Let’s say you’re a Nike addict, or maybe a super-fan of Patagonia’s commitment to the environment. Start with the companies you know and love. Chances are, they offer internships to qualified undergraduates, like you! Head over to the company’s website or consult any contacts you might have within that company. Keep in mind that most companies list internship opportunities under the Careers tab with the rest of their job openings.
3. To the databases!
So, you apply to Nike and a few others, but you still want to cover your bases (just in case). Pick a few career/internship databases to search for alternative options. Careful, this step can be a little overwhelming. Armed with your career/industry research and your “non negotiables,” I promise, you’ll be fine.
Some of the best career/internship databases out there:
• College Central Network: an extensive database of internship opportunities that lets you sort by location, position, etc. Check out this tutorial if you haven’t used the network before.
• Linkedin: (yes, really!) Linkedin is an awesome resource for finding jobs and internships! You can search via the jobs tab, or Linkedin “stalk” people you admire to see where they’ve worked or interned.
4. Be realistic
Lastly, be realistic. Finding, applying, and interviewing for internships takes a huge time commitment. Know how much time you can commit to internship searching every week and stick with a plan to avoid falling behind on your schoolwork.
Armed with these tips to get you started, go out and conquer the internship search!
(Image Source: http://www.imcreator.com/free/business/inschrijven-workshops)