Master Guide to All Things Internship

• Your college’s career centre in order

to find the perfect internships to
provide experience and get you one
step closer to that post-college
dream job.

• Some internships pay well while

others pay nothing. Wherever you
end up, internships will help you
figure out your career path, giving
you experience and networking
opportunities along the way.
 LANDING THE INTERNSHIP
• The Application • The Interview
– Most companies will ask for a resume – Interview questions like “Why do you
and cover letter and letters of want to intern here?”Take some time
recommendation. So head over to your to research the company, but avoid
friendly campus career center or reach spewing facts at them because they
out to a favorite professor to polish up don’t need a lecture about their own
that resume. company.
– Write about that great idea you – Like in class, questions show interest,
implemented at your previous so ask questions to look interested,
internship. If they want references even if you already know the answer.
reach out to past employers, professors After the interview, send a thank you
or mentors who know your skills and to express your gratitude while also
know you well. reiterating why you would be a
fantastic fit for the internship.
• The Rejection • The Choice
– Applying to many internships – You might consider juggling
will inevitably lead to rejection at two internships, but ultimately
some point. Keep your spirits up- you need to decide if you can
you’ll land an internship give it your all at both
somewhere. Turn that organizations. Think about the
disappointment into fuel and company, if it pays, the
Google away for more location and the specific day-
opportunities, reach out to any to-day tasks of the internship.
and all industry connections and If the choice isn’t obvious, ask
keep your options open. And professors or career advisors
don’t forget to thank them for for some help, and at the end
their time, because they just of the day, go with your gut.
might reconsider.
 ARE UNPAID INTERNSHIPS WORTH IT
• We all dream of paid internships, but reality

more often offers us an unpaid internship in

smaller companies that can’t pay you. Part-

time jobs that earn you extra cash might be

necessary for some students and travelling

for unpaid internships also quickly brings

down the mood.

• You might hate the paid position, despite

the money and wish you accepted the

unpaid position that you felt more

passionate about.
 WHEN SHOULD START APPLYING
• This largely depends on your field. Future
wolves of Wall Street need to start making
moves for summer internships in the fall
because businesses like everything in
place early.
• If you wait too long, the big companies
intern positions will get snatched away
from you. If you’re in the creative
industry, then you have more time.
HOW MANY INTERNSHIPS SHOULD I HAVE BY
THE END OF COLLEGE
• Most college students carry a few under

their belt by graduation day. Internships

function as resume boosters and

experience builders, so you should seek

out ones that do both.

• If you intern at two different companies,

that’s two separate networks of people

who can help you get a job after

graduation. More internships equal a wider

range of experience, but if you only

completed one internship by graduation,

calm yourself.
 NO EXPERIENCE
• The struggle of applying for an internship that

requires previous experience. Appearance

matters, so start with an impeccable resume that

looks professional even if you feel far from that.

• Fill it up with your involvement in student

government or your school’s literary magazine,

your leadership positions and any classes

relevant to the internship.

• Even throw the time you had a part-time job at

Target on there. Then write a fantastic cover

letter, talking up your qualifications along with

your serious interest in the intern position.

 HOW MANY INTERNSHIPS SHOULD I APPLY
TO
• As many as possible. Many students make

the mistake of only applying to a few big-

name internships with Google or the New

York Times or somewhere on Wall Street,

and then end up disappointed when they

don’t get any. Try your skills at sales or

marketing. It’s a competitive search out

there, so make sure you prepare.

 TOP 3 PLACES TO FIND INTERNSHIPS
• LinkedIn.com
– LinkedIn seems intimidating at first,
but definitely helps with the
internship search. Search by industry
or by company, and see if you have
any connections with people.
Network your way to an internship.
Even better—network online.
• Indeed.com
– Indeed posts internships for students
of all majors from all kinds of
companies. Search by your field, then
narrow it down by location, time of
year, job type and salary. You can also
sign up for alerts on a certain search
for any new opportunities.
• Career Centers
– Sometimes the best connection to an
internship sits right on campus—yes,
that means showing up in person.
Most colleges have their own career
center with advisors who can help
with resumes, cover letters, job
searches and any other career-
oriented question you can dream up.
Did I mention some even hold mock
interviews
 TOP 3 TWITTER ACCOUNTS FOR INTERNSHIPS

1. @InternQueen
– Run by Lauren Berger, a career
expert, @InternQueen is dedicated to
internship advice like resume tips,
help with cover letters and other
specifics. Berger also posts
internships quite regularly with links
or contact info.
2. @internshipjob
– This Twitter account isn’t especially
exciting, but @internshipjob does
post new internship positions every
couple hours, which will earn it a
follow from every internship seeker.
It features internships in just about
every field, from marketing to
accounting to graphic design.
3. @internships
– The Twitter account for the Chegg
Career Center, @internships posts
tips and hints about internships, as
well as career advice. They also post
fun articles and pictures for when
you’re feeling overwhelmed.