Finding a Summer Internship Last-Minute

It’s that time of the year again: spring fever has set in.  Just about the time you haul out the sunblock and beach towel for a lazy afternoon on the Barret lawn or at the pool, a fuzzy thought pops into your head: what on EARTH am I going to do for the summer?

Perfect.

Between classes, homework, jobs, and more homework, trying to find an internship for the summer can be tough to squeeze into your schedule.  Not to mention, it’s kind of intimidating and it’s hard to narrow down your options to internships that you’re actually interested in.  If you’re a freshman or sophomore, it’s a good idea to look for internships that suit your interests.  A summer internship is an awesome opportunity to explore what you like (and sometimes exploring what you don’t like at all).  And the same goes for an academic internship during the year.  So, as a junior who can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel, here are a few helpful tips and hints to make finding and applying for an internship a little less intimidating.

Resources

1. Rhodes is awesome in a lot of ways, but the Rhodes network really is in a league of its own.  With alumni chapters in Chicago, New York City, Atlanta, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. to name just a few, finding a connection in your favorite city is not as hard as you might think.  Attend alumni networking social events – they’re excellent opportunities to get in touch with people who can give you first-hand experience, and people who might be cruising to find potential interns!  As an added plus, you can bond over your own experiences here at Rhodes.
2. Check out the Career Services website and office – they’re all here to help!  Career Services is an opportunity you really can’t afford to miss out on.  They have so much info on getting your resume put together, finding internships to apply for, and helping with interviews, along with a host of other things.
3. Google everything.  I’ve applied for several internships in the past that I’ve found just by typing something in on the Google search bar.  Search for company websites, shoot them an email to find out if they’re looking for smiling college interns, etc.  The more proactive you are, the more likely you’ll be to get the results you want.
4. Your current internship is a great place to start.  If you haven’t taken part in an academic internship, I would highly recommend it.  Even if it’s in something you don’t know if you want to do as a career, having an academic internship on your resume is just another bonus to potential employers.  It shows them that you can balance the stresses of academic life with a positive extracurricular where you’re learning valuable, real-world work skills.  Plus, it’s a great way to get your foot in the door in case you really love it, since internships often lead to other opportunities, particularly paid ones during the summer.
5. Look into creating a professional profile on a site like LinkedIn (which a good number of Rhodes students, faculty, and staff have done already) or Internships.com.  Devoid of the pictures from last night that you inevitably have to de-tag on Facebook, these sites are incredibly useful for “linking” up with other young professionals who can get you in touch with the right people in the right places.

Helpful Tips & Tricks:

• Review your resume: Edit every inch of that sucker until it’s perfect. If you’re having trouble keeping it to one page, consider using a slightly smaller font or fewer spaces.  Play up your strengths and be sure to include relevant experiences.  Swing by Career Services to talk to someone who can help you hone in on what’s most important.  Chances are, your resume is going to make the first impression for you, so your resume should be an accurate representation of you and (more importantly) your abilities as a potential intern/employee.
• Be yourself:  Even if you’re nervous, forget about it.  Shake off the intimidation willies and make conversation, be outgoing, be personable.  Communication skills are vital, and being able to communicate with a potential employer is key especially when interviewing for a position.  Wearing a pencil skirt and a business blazer in a strange office, sitting in a strange chair in front of a complete stranger doesn’t exactly scream “comfortable conversation,” but that’s too bad.  Getting past the intimidation factor is a crucial part of being your normal self.
• Dress the part: Like I said, pencil skirts (or slacks, for the guys) and blazers aren’t the most comfortable attire, especially if you’re like me and would prefer to bum around in Nike shorts and t-shirts all the time.  Just like your resume makes an employer’s first impression of you, your wardrobe makes the second.  You want to present a professional appearance, but don’t put so much starch on your collar that you forget to smile and be friendly.
• Don’t under-sell yourself:  I have the hardest time talking to people – particularly interviewers/potential employers – when they ask questions like “what are your strengths?” or “why do you think you’d be a good fit at ____?”  If there ever was a time to toot your own horn, this is it.  They want to hear why you’re better than the next person (otherwise, they wouldn’t have asked you) and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with telling them what you’re good at.
• Make sure they know you want it:  I just had an interview for an internship that I really, really, really want.  When asked about the other internships I’ve applied for, I informed the interviewers that their internship was my priority (because it is).  It’s better for potential employers to know that you want their position, rather than just guessing whether or not it’s just another one of your back-up plans.