What is an Internship?

 

An internship is a limited time, real-world work program offered by an organization to a student or recent graduate that is looking to gain experience or skills in a particular field. Internships give students a wonderful opportunity for career exploration and development, and the chance to learn new skills.

 

Internships usually occur during the 3rd and 4th year of an undergraduate degree course and can take place in the fall, winter, spring or summer. Their duration varies from a couple of days or weeks to several months in length. Some companies even offer long-term internships to give the interns a truly comprehensive experience. Many students seek internships that take place during their summer or winter break.

 

Internships may be paid or unpaid and depending on your course of study, some even satisfy degree requirements. Depending on the college, some academic programs even require that their students complete an internship.
 

Why Are Internships Important?

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There are many reasons to seek an internship. Not only do they improve your chances of getting a job down the line, but they also provide a great learning experience and prepares students for the job market. Internships give students the chance to test out a potential career so they can see if it is the right match, giving them the chance to adjust their career focus, if needed. Having this insight while you are still in college is invaluable.

 

Internships give students a chance to apply newly acquired skills and knowledge from their first years of college to real world problems. Many companies and organizations offer students the opportunity to secure internships so they can explore and learn about the company culture and work environment. This also gives students a chance to learn about new technology, expand their skill sets and practice working in their chosen field.

 

Another benefit of internships is developing professional contacts. They give you the chance to make professional connections with mentors, managers, and even your fellow interns. These connections can evolve into professional friendships that could lead to job opportunities down the road.
 

How Do I Find an Internship?

 

Searching for the right internship requires preparation and time, so having a clear strategy and staying organized will contribute to your internship search success. I have a lot of experience with this and am here to help.

 

One of the best ways to find an internship is at your College fall job fair. It is critical that students arrive for their Junior ready to hit the ground running for fall internship recruiting season. Be prepared to network, interview and hand out your resume at the job fair.

 

If there are companies that you are interested in, be sure to target them at your college job fair and ask them if they are looking for interns. Many companies (such as Johnson & Johnson, Campbell’s, JP Morgan Chase, etc.) have College recruiting programs. So if you have a particular company or organization in mind for your future employment, do some research to find their college recruiters and reach out to them directly to see if you can open up a line of communication.

 

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Key Timing and Info For Internship Success

 

Timing is everything when it comes to achieving early career success out of college and landing the right internship can be a major boost. Below are some helpful tips and key timing to keep in mind when it comes to Internships.

 

• The beginning of your Junior year of college is the key time to be prepared to find an internship.
   

• Most colleges host their career / job fairs in October and November. Show up prepared to network, interview and hand out your resume at the job fair.
   

• If you have your eye on a  Summer internship, plan ahead and target it the prior Fall.

 

• Use your time over the summer to the fullest and make time to be productive. Taking the initiative to be prepared when school starts in the fall will pay off in the long run.

 

• Submit internship applications early to gain an advantage. The deadline to apply for many internships is November.

 

• Maintaining a positive attitude. Interns start at the bottom and work their way up. They do everything from shadowing employees, to making copies to research and reporting assignments. No matter what your role, stay positive. 

 

• If your student is interested in studying abroad, I like to recommend traveling abroad during your sophomore year, freeing up the more critical junior year for a heavy course load and internships.

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   If you have any specific questions about internships, feel free to contact me.