If you’re starting to apply for internships, chances are you’re feeling a little overwhelmed. With so many internship websites out there vying for your attention, it’s difficult to tell which ones are worth a look and which ones aren’t. The process of trying to find the right internship for you can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack, so we’ve compiled a list of the most awesome internship websites out there to save your precious time.
This website is so much more than just a comprehensive internship search engine. This site allows you to search for opportunities by major, job category, preferred city, and company, and provides additional resources as well. These resources, like internship basics, an intern stories blog, and tips for better interviews all keep you in the loop so that you’re ready for anything an internship may throw at you. Be sure to check out the Internship Predictor®, a tool that uses your personal preferences and personality to help you find current opportunities that will be the best fit for you!
To take advantage of all of the site’s benefits, register for an account. This gives you full access to all of the great tools that the website has to offer, and allows you to make a profile that will make you easily searchable by prospective employers. Finally, pay attention to icons posted in the upper right-hand corner of each job listing. They’ll let you know if the position is paid, full-time or part-time, and if it requires you to receive college credit.
2. Idealist.org
If you think you may want to intern for a nonprofit, this website is the perfect place to start! Easily sort internships by their area of focus, whether they’re paid or unpaid, and even by language! Each internship listing includes a job description, instructions for how to apply, and information on job location and compensation. Idealist updates frequently, so check back often! Also consider signing up for an account, which allows you to save your favorite searches, personally connect with organizations of interest, and receive daily emails with a small list of opportunities that may be of particular interest to you.
Brimming with career articles, job listings, and numerous filters to specialize your search, this website is a winner because of its connection to colleges and universities. Many educational institutions, including Duke University, the University of Tampa, Spelman College, and DePaul University, use Experience™ as a platform for students in their career centers to find internships, and new listings are added to the site every day.
If your college or university is registered with Experience.com, you should be able to make an account using your school email address. Plus, you’ll get additional benefits that tie to your school, including job fairs in your area and connections with local employers! When it comes to searching for internships, don’t be afraid to start broad for more options, then work to narrow your focus. Also be aware that you must be a member of the website to apply for jobs, so make sure to register!
Not to brag, but the HC team is very proud of the internships that are featured over in Careerette, and for good reason! These employers are specifically looking for collegiettes, knowing that HC is full of readers who are smart, dedicated, and enthusiastic! At Careerette, you can find internship opportunities at HC and at other awesome companies, too. Look at each description carefully so you know what’s required, when the deadline is, and who to contact.
Mediabistro boasts the largest job board in the United States for media professionals. That, plus topical news and analyses of media platforms, trends, and popular topics in the market, is what makes this website an exceptional way to explore internships in media. Recently the company has been pushing for jobs and internships that utilize social media, which is great news for you social-savvy collegiettes! Check out HC’s guide to careers in social media to get a leg up on the competition.
The easiest way to search on Mediabistro is to filter to internships specifically. So many media positions are listed that if you do not take advantage of that filter first, you’ll have to do extraneous searching, taking up time you could be using to apply for other internships!
6. Ed2010.com
If a magazine internship is your dream, Ed2010 is the place for you to go! Prepare to look through pages and pages of internships, all there to help you find a great position. Also make sure to take advantage of the articles written by professionals, advice, success stories, and intern diaries, an annual series of blog posts where interns working in the industry reflect on their experiences as they happen.
When you see an opportunity on Ed2010 that speaks to you, be ready to pounce, because these spots are competitive! Also, if you are a recent graduate or are graduating soon, and you’re looking to break into the magazine industry, consider applying for 60-Minute Mentors™ for a free chance to do an hour-long Q&A session with an editor. How cool is that?
Levo League was founded to give young, female professionals access to career advice, mentors, and job opportunities in the early stages of their career. They also happen to have a job board, and internships are included! Like many of the other websites listed, Levo League offers articles and resources in addition to internship and job listings. One of their most popular (and useful!) tools is Office Hours, a weekly chat with extraordinary women who seek to offer their business advice to eager listeners. A live Q&A is another one of their best features. You have to sign in to participate and ask a question, but it’s totally worth it. The best part is that if you can’t tune in during a live office hour, they are posted in their entirety afterwards so that you can catch up later!
Talk about a website designed with students in mind! InternMatch openly acknowledges how rough it is to find internships, so they work hard to accurately and efficiently search for the internships that you’re looking for (and maybe some that you didn’t think about!). While you’re on the homepage, don’t forget to look at the featured internships, which are listed on the first page for easy access!
InternMatch also has some great tools, particularly the Internship Guides. From visual guides and templates for resumes to a discussion on how important your GPA really is to employers, take the time to investigate some of the guides in the areas where you would like to be more informed. It never hurts to be prepared, and your future employer will appreciate your attention to detail.
9. TheMuse.com
Perhaps you’ve already heard of The Daily Muse, a website that works to empower women in their career. It has articles on everything from health to finance to keep women informed. Their job search site, The Muse, is an extension of the brand, with internship listings, behind-the-scenes looks at top companies, and interviews with employees of those same companies. It’s a great place to look around and learn about some of the places you may want to work in the future, while still being able to look for current internships.
10. InternQueen.com
This list wouldn’t be complete without the amazing story of Lauren Berger, who completed 15 internships in 4 years of college! Now, she shares her knowledge with the Intern Queen network, speaking, writing, and hooking you up with amazing companies that are looking for equally amazing interns! Lauren also blogs about her experiences and offers business tips.
For all of Lauren’s secrets to success, check out her book All Work, No Pay: Finding an Internship, Building Your Resume, Making Connections, and Gaining Job Experience, available on Amazon. It’s just one more tool in your internship arsenal to set you on the path to success!
Just a little bit of light reading later, you’re officially ready to begin your internship search! Browse the websites mentioned, talk to mentors, and keep an eye out for opportunities that your college or university promotes. The process may be crazy, but the resulting internships will be the ideal window into your professional career.
Did we miss any websites or tricks that you swear by when applying for internships? Share your knowledge in the comments below!