Internships

Build Knowledge and Skills With an Internship

Gain on-the-job experience working in an environment or organization that complements your academic course of study.

Gain a broader perspective of your academic discipline
Explore the "world of work" in a vocational or professional field of interest
Experience a workplace organization
Engage in planning and organizing programs or projects within the organization
Develop specific job skills and work experiences which better position you to obtain future employment or professional experiences after graduation
Develop work ethic and maturity
Foster connections with organizational employees and leaders to provide guidance and mentoring
Explore the "fit" of an occupation or career prior to graduation

The search for an internship typically takes time. A good rule of thumb is to start the process at least a quarter prior to your intended start date.

Meet with the Career Engagement Office: Assess your interests, skills, values and goals through MyPlan

Explore career industry clusters

Explore major and industry fit
Research employers and industries of interest: Useful to determine if an organization's mission, values, and culture are in line with yours

Use LinkedIn's Companies area to find company information and view your connections in the organization

Glassdoor's Company Reviews provides an overview of organizations and any positions currently listed

Speak with faculty, mentors, friends, and family to gain ideas of organizations that could be well suited to you
Consider logistical parameters: Geographical location

Time considerations - what quarter, for how much time per week, duration of experience

Earning college credit, or not

A paid or unpaid experience

Many Places to Look: Cast a wide net when starting to look for internship placement sites.

Online resources include Handshake, Indeed, LinkedIn, Idealist, Internships.com, Glassdoor, LinkUp

Your major and minor departments email list servs, LinkedIn pages, and

Talk with faculty and staff

Connect with friends and family

Previous supervisors, mentors, or network connections

Participate in Student Clubs

Other affinity groups (church, community, previous volunteer sites, etc.)

Websites of desired organizations

Conduct informational interviews with people in the field or companies of interest

Attend an off-campus or on-campus internship fair

Application Materials: Application materials are the primary tools for making your first impression with an organization. Take time to do the following

Tailor your resume and cover letter to the internship description.

Have an industry insider (someone who works in the field, or a faculty member who teaches in the field) look over your materials before submitting.

Carefully read the application submission instructions and follow all necessary steps.
Ensure Your Materials are Read: Ask people in your network who are connected to the organizations to which you are applying to advocate for your application.

Follow up on your application as needed with hiring managers.

Send a thank you note or email to people with whom you speak and meet.
Stay Organized: Develop a tracking and organizational system that works for you. It is important to stay organized in this process.
Follow Up and Prepare for Interviews: Prepare for the interview by reviewing the organization's website, and web presence.

Write down questions you want to ask during the interview.

Send a thank you note or email to people with whom you speak and meet.