Is an Internship in Your Future? Tips to Find One

An internship is a great opportunity to gain skills and work experience in a specific career area.  It gives you an idea of what to expect in the workplace, not just the work itself but also the culture that exists.  For college students and recent graduates looking to get entry level jobs, landing a quality internship can be a stepping stone for their careers.  So, what does it take to obtain one of these opportunities?  Here are some tips to help you find your future internship.

Talk to peers and alumni about your search – Find out if your peers and alumni have any internship experience.  If so, ask questions to learn more about how they landed an opportunity.  By contacting these individuals, you could also get information about companies that are hiring interns.

Accept your level of experience – Even though you may not have a lot of work experience, that does not mean you can’t get an internship.  Think about any skills you have learned that can be applied to a position.  Also, focus on any qualities that will allow you to be a stand out candidate for an internship.

Research an employer before filling out an application – Before applying for an internship, you should research a potential employer.  Why?  You want to make sure that you’re not only the right person for a particular job but also the right fit for the employer.  After all, you want to work somewhere you are comfortable and get the most out of your experience.

Don’t sell yourself short – Even if you feel you’re not the most qualified candidate for an internship, believe that you are.  Emphasize your soft skills, the personal qualities that identify you and that employers will notice. This can increase your confidence when applying for a position.

Set up a meeting with your career counselor – Your career counselor can answer questions you may have about your internship search, as well as provide information about your school’s connections to employers with internship opportunities.

Network – Going out to meet people at career events is a good way to build relationships and expand your network.  You never know who might be or have the contact(s) that can open the door to the internship you’re looking for.

Use search engines to find internships – Look for search engines that can assist you in finding the internship that can offer the experience needed to move your career forward.

Landing an internship gives you the chance to learn more about a specific career field.  It can also give you the skills and work experience to help prepare you for an entry level job.  Hopefully, the tips above will play a role in securing your future internship.

In today’s workforce, an internship is the golden ticket to a successful career for many young adults. Unfortunately, according to new research by Gallup-Purdue University, just one-third of recent graduates say they had an internship or job in college that allowed them to apply the skills they learned in the classroom…

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