Internships
An internship is a real world experience related to your career interests providing an opportunity to learn specific skills and knowledge. Internships are a great way to “test-drive” a career, gain professional experience, and develop your network.
Internships can be:
- paid or unpaid experiences
- done during the academic year or summer
- for academic credit or not for credit
- part-time or full-time
The Internship Search
- Find Your Focus
Being clear about your goals and what you would like to get out of an internship experience will make finding an internship easier and your internship experience more beneficial.- What type of experience are you hoping to have?
- Do you want to receive academic credit or funding?
- What skills would you like to develop?
- What career fields or industries interest you?
- What type of organization is a good fit? (government, for-profit, non-profit, education, large, small)
- Learn how to research careers
- Create your marketing materials
Having good marketing materials (résumé, cover letter, and portfolio) is essential to a successful internship search. Begin creating your materials early!- Write a draft of your résumé and cover letter.
- Think about developing a professional portfolio
- Have your materials reviewed by a career counselor.
- Find internship opportunities
- Search GoldPASS and LandIt! for internship postings.
- Attend job and internship fairs.
- Create a list of organizations you would like to intern with and contact them directly. Many internship positions are not advertised.
- Talk to people. Networking is the best way to learn about unadvertised opportunities.
- Create your own internship with an organization that does not have a current internship program.
- View the online job and internship search workshop.
- Prepare for the interview
- Learn the basics of interviewing
- Schedule a mock interview with a career counselor.
- Do an online mock interview with InterviewStream
Internships Abroad
Internships abroad have all the benefits of an internship in the States with the added benefits of building your language and cultural skills. Learn more about internships abroad.
