The leaves haven’t even finished changing colors yet, but winter break is already on everyone’s minds. With visions of hot cocoa, family time and cozy blankets dancing in your head, your career is probably the furthest thing from your mind right now. Winter break is the perfect time to take a breather and catch up on some much-needed sleep and TV shows, but it’s also the perfect time to have a winternship and get some real-world, hands-on job experience.
‘Tis the deadline season for “winternships,” which are short internships that take place in between semesters during December and January. If you’re determined not to turn into a couch potato during your winter break this year, check out this list of nine great winternships that you can apply for now!
1. Starcom MediaVest Group Internship
Who: Juniors and seniors who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and basic PC skills (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). You must be able to work a minimum of 21 hours per week and/or three days a week starting January 6, 2014.
What: If you are interested in the media and advertising industry, this may be the perfect internship for you! Starcom MediaVest Group is ranked as one of the largest brand communications groups in the world. The group partners with leading companies such as The Coca-Cola Company, Procter & Gamble and Walmart. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the media team assisting group members with client tasks, gaining knowledge of media language and math and working on at least one ownable project.
Where: Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Detroit (depending on needs)
Compensation: Unpaid and for school credit only
Deadline: 11/11/2013
How to Apply: Upload your resume and apply to the intern position by going to www.smvgroup.com and clicking on the Careers tab.
2. WXYZ-TV Detroit News Internship
Who: Juniors and seniors who are able to work 15 hours per week, which may include weekends. Requirements include computer skills, the ability to communicate clearly in person and on the phone and having taken at least one broadcast journalism writing course.
What: Break into the world of broadcasting with this news internship! Students will be able to gain real-world experience and insight into the daily operations of a television station. Internships are offered in the areas of News, Special Projects, Assignment Desk, Sports and the Web. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to research stories, conduct interviews, contribute story ideas, write broadcast news, book guests and post stories to the web sections.
Where: Southfield, Michigan
Compensation: Unpaid with required college course credit
Deadline: None listed
How to Apply: Go to this website and apply by clicking on the “Create Profile or login to Apply” button at the top right.
3. Pixar Technical Director Internship
Who: Current college students working towards bachelor’s, master’s or PhD Degrees.
What: Pixar has created some of our most beloved animated films, including Toy Story, WALL-E and Up. Now you have the chance to become a part of this creative team by applying for the Technical Director internship, which offers real-world work assisting in the production of feature films, working alongside the Technical Directors and contributing as a member of the technical team.
Where: Emeryville, California
Compensation: None listed
Deadline: 11/3/2013
How to Apply: Apply online with your resume and cover letter, then go to this website to upload a demo reel showing representative work.
4. TerraCycle Business Development Winter Internship
Who: Students who have a strong interest in social entrepreneurship, green business, eco-capitalism, recycling or upcycling and who can work at least three consistent days per week during the month of January.
What: Help create positive change at the “Coolest Little Startup in America”! TerraCycle’s goal is to eliminate the idea of waste by providing innovative solutions to recycle products and packaging waste. As a member of the Business Development team, you will have the opportunity to develop business opportunities and sales for TerraCycle in the United States, as well as work closely with TerraCycle’s CEO, CAO, VP Director of Global Business Development and Business Associates to forge partnerships with a wide range of companies and brands.
Where: Trenton, New Jersey
Compensation: Unpaid with possibility for college credit
Deadline: 11/15/2013
How to Apply: E-mail your resume, your cover letter and a short writing sample to david.bonilla@terracycle.com with the subject line “Business Development Winter Internship + internships.com.”
5. Comediva.com Editorial/Social Media Internship
Who: Undergrads who are passionate about social media, blogging, web content and comedy.
What: If you love to make people laugh, this internship will give you and others a daily dose of humor! Comediva.com is a freshly launched female comedy site that specializes in original video and editorial content. Interns will be able to write original content, learn social media skills, make connections in the comedy world and basically help Comediva.com accomplish comedic world domination!
Where: Burbank, California
Compensation: Unpaid and for academic credit only
Deadline: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
How to Apply: Send your cover letter, your resume and a writing sample to jobs@comediva.com with “Spectacular Intern” in the subject line.
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6. Myjive Graphic Design Internship
Who: Students who are proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, interested in technology and innovation and obsessed with typography.
What: Are you interested in the merging of art and technology? Become a member of the highly collaborative, innovation-led digital experience agency Myjive. Gain hands-on experience in an integrated agency environment by producing mockups, generating client deliverables and assets for production, providing creative support and working on graphic and icon illustration.
Where: Charlotte, North Carolina
Compensation: Paid
Deadline: 12/13/2013
How to Apply: Send your resume and portfolio (preferably digital) to charlotte@myjive.com.
7. EisnerAmper, LLP Litigation Services Internship
Who: Accounting majors graduating in 2015.
What: Gain hands-on experience and exposure to a wide range of industries as an intern for EisnerAmper, LLP, one of the largest accounting and advisory firms in the United States. You will have the opportunity to work under the direction of a staff accountant and perform litigation support and business valuation functions on engagements.
Where: Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Compensation: Paid
Deadline: None listed
How to Apply: Apply online here.
8. D.C. Congressional Internship
Who: Students who have superb writing abilities, a professional telephone manner, the ability to communicate with individuals in a professional manner and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
What: Have you ever wanted to know what it’s really like to work for the government? Learn about the legislative process and gain a sense of public service with this internship. Responsibilities include administrative duties, giving tours to constituents and contributing to special projects.
Where: Washington, D.C.
Compensation: None listed
Deadline: Internships are available on a rolling basis for fall, winter, spring and summer quarters.
How to Apply: Submit your cover letter, your resume and a brief writing sample to bryce.comstock@mail.house.gov.
9. FDA ORISE Science Internship
Who: Science and mathematics students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate schools who are located in the FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research commuting area and who have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
What: As a participant in the Science Internship Program, you will have the opportunity to gain long-term development and hands-on research and laboratory experience while being mentored by FDA scientists.
Where: None listed
Compensation: Stipends are determined by level of education and are considered fellowship grants.
Deadline: None listed
How to Apply: Submit your application by mail to:
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
FDA Programs – Postgraduate Research Program
PO Box 117
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117
Or by fax to (865)241-5219, Attn: FDA Programs.
It’s a given fact that the holidays just aren’t complete without family, friends, food, fun and a few Z’s. But with so many great winternships available at your fingertips, you can finally say good-bye to being a full-time couch potato or sleeping beauty and hello to making your own career dreams come true!