Get Your Foot in the Door with an Internship

August 15, 2011|How to find a job| No comments yet

In today’s economy, it is more important than ever to stand out from the others when applying for a job. An internship will provide you with valuable experience and demonstrate your ability to perform in a professional workplace.

The best place to start looking for an internship is your college career office. They often have information from the companies in the area that are looking for interns. The career office should also have a database of alumni who are willing to be contacted by students. Find people in the industry you are interested in and schedule an informational interview. While there, politely ask if their company or any others that they know of are looking for interns. And finally, the career counselor should be able to direct you to the resources that have worked best for other students who have gotten internships recently.

If there is a specific corporation that you are interested in working in after graduation, it is a good idea to visit their website and see if they have any internship openings listed on the employment opportunities page. Internships are more plentiful in the summer, but if you are available during the school year, you may have better luck securing one due to decreased competition. Smaller companies may not have as much clout, but they often provide more hands-on experience. In fact, you may want to take a nontraditional approach and volunteer your services at a non-profit company or organization.

Very few internships are paid. You may need to provide funds for transportation costs or even housing, if your internship is located in a different city. Make sure to factor in the loss of wages along with these extra costs when pursuing your internship. If you are able to participate in a prestigious program with a well-known employer, it might be worth the costs. The experience may lead you to a job with this employer after graduation or will help your resume to stand out amongst other applicants in your job search.

Applying for an internship will give you a taste of finding your first job after graduation. Start looking several months ahead of time, have a polished resume ready, and always dress and act professionally.