4 Things To Keep in Mind When Applying to Internships

Source: http://louisville.edu/politicalscience/internships

1. Keep Your Options Open

Source: http://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/2015/10/23/career-paths-how-to-decide…

Especially as un underclassman, keeping your options open is important. It may seem meaningless to get an internship outside of your major or future career path, but any experience is good experience. Hiring managers look for an ability to take initiative, show responsibility, and strong communication skills. All of these skills can be picked up at any internship whether that be working at a camp or working on Wall Street.  

1. Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

Source: http://iicesl.org/2016/05/dont-put-your-eggs-in-one-basket/

It is easy to get caught up on that one “perfect” internship and have blinders to all other opportunities. This strategy comes with a lot of risk and staying on the lookout for other internships is never a bad thing. Have at least a few backup options in case your first choice doesn’t pan out!

1. Focus on Your Own Process

Source: http://www.sellbetter.ca/trade-in-your-sales-blinders/

It is common to walk around Wash U and hear someone talking about how stressed they are about internships or how excited they are about an acceptance, but staying focused on your own internship process limits stress and jealousy. It is so easy to get caught up in the chaos of applying, but if you focus on where you are in the process and what you’re looking for, you’ll have an easier time finding something you love.

1. Stay Positive

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNoW411fbGc

Most importantly, stay positive! Rejections are more common than acceptances, and with this in mind, you have to keep pushing on. As Jay Z says “on to the next one” (though I don’t think he was talking about internships).

• calm
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