The Summer Internship Itinerary 

Summer is on the horizon. Many students are already planning their housing, jobs, and vacations. As a business major, my primary focus this month is securing a summer internship, though it is much easier said than done. If finding a summer internship is increasingly more difficult and discouraging for you, you are not alone. I will give you some advice on how to start looking for internships so you can have a fun and productive summer. Finding an internship is not something only business majors worry about. Students from all academic backgrounds feel the pressure to jump start their careers but ultimately, an internship is not the end all be all to your future success. You can gain valuable experience in any setting and further your education through certificate programs or teaching yourself marketable skills. However, internships can be a great way to boost your resume and focus your career goals. 

1. To start, research companies or jobs you are interested in and develop your goals for an early career. Nothing is set in stone, but fleshing out your aspirations can be beneficial for narrowing down your search and will allow you to feel more confident in your options. Ask yourself: what do I want to learn from an internship experience? It’s also important to assess what type of internship you are looking for in terms of hours, pay, and location. After COVID, many companies offer hybrid or remote positions which is something to consider, since these will allow a better home and work balance during the summer. 

2. Next, I recommend starting with your immediate resources: family, friends, and professors. Networking is crucial to getting your name out there and acquiring insight. Your personal connections are a fantastic way to start since it can be less daunting than reaching out to strangers. Specifically, your professors can be helpful for talking about your professional goals because they can discuss the field you are interested in more comprehensively and connect you to resources on campus or to other colleagues. Even if no opportunities directly present themselves from these conversations, they are a necessary step in the internship process because they can provide advice and clarification on your goals. 

3. When searching for an internship, the most effective websites are LinkedIn and Handshake. Although it can be overwhelming with the endless job postings, both websites offer features to narrow down the search based on the job type and location amongst other factors. Generally, internship opportunities begin to open up a season in advance so if you are looking for summer positions, begin looking in the winter, though you are not out of luck if you begin later because openings are also industry and company specific. You should regularly check these websites, at least once or twice a week, because many companies hire on a rolling basis. Give yourself time to carefully read through the postings instead of blindly applying and do further research on companies you may not know about. According to LinkedIn, women apply to 20% fewer jobs than men because men apply to jobs where they meet at least 60% of the criteria whereas women apply when they meet 100% of the criteria. Internships are learning experiences and companies understand this so apply even if you don’t hit every qualification. LinkedIn offers useful features like the ability to see your school’s alumni who have worked for or currently work for the company. Reach out to people through the messaging features and ask questions about their experience. Again, networking is the key to securing an internship and it can only benefit you to reach out to people. Lastly, a newer resource available is TikTok, which is helpful for finding job postings or hearing about people’s experiences. A personal favorite account of mine is @internshipgirl because she provides tips on the entire process from cover letters to interviews. 

Remember, an internship is about furthering your education in a professional environment. There is a lot of pressure as a student to secure an internship in the summer but it should not be a stressful process. Use your immediate resources to network and articulate your goals. When applying to internships, apply to jobs that you are interested in even if you don’t meet all the qualifications. Ultimately, don’t let yourself be discouraged by the process. Your summer plans shouldn’t be a stressor, but rather a rewarding part of your educational journey. Regardless of what you end up doing, as long as you are pursuing your goals, you’re doing it right. Good luck! 

New Report: Women Apply to Fewer Jobs Than Men, But Are More Likely to Get Hired (linkedin.com)