Internships are a great way to launch your career! They give you a preview of the working environment and allow you to find what you like and what you don’t like to do. On top of that, they add value to your resume, grow your professional network, and increase specific skills. Finding internships should not be a daunting process, and there are great resources to help you out. Starting your internship search early requires planning but will help jumpstart your career!
Why start your internship search early?
- More Opportunities to choose from
- When you start your internship search early, you have more variety. The more you wait, the fewer options you have, and when you’re deciding what internship you want, it is nice to compare and have options to choose from.
- Applying for many internships increases your chances of landing an internship that aligns with your career goals. The more internships you apply for, the better you understand what you want from a company when it comes to you making a decision.
- Application deadlines are closing sooner
- Application processes can take 2-4+ months from the time you apply, to interviewing, to actually being accepted and completing paperwork. So if you are looking for a Spring internship, you should start searching in Oct / Nov.
- Many internships have multi-step application processes. Some will use video questions to narrow the field before formal interviews with students. One of the more popular video interviews is HireVue; check out this article for tips!
- You want to give them your best work when filling out an application. Starting an application early allows you to ensure the materials you give them are the best they can be. Some examples of this are resumes, cover letters, and letters of recommendation. If you need help with any of these, schedule an appointment with us or check out KCVC!
- Start building skills and relationships
- Certain internships want specific software experience. It gives you time to practice that software. Other internships sometimes require you to have certifications.
- Searching earlier allows you to connect with industry professionals at specific companies, and this could lead to recommendations for certain internships.
- Applying early allows you to talk with mentors when choosing a position, so you don’t have to rush the decision-making process.
- Less stress during finals and the spring semester
- You will have more time to focus on finals and classes later on. Accepting a role sooner rather than later allows you to prioritize academics.
Tips for getting ahead in the internship process
- Set clear goals
- What are your goals for your internship?
- Some examples could be a full-time job offer after your internship at that company or gaining experience in a particular area.
- Make sure to check out our internship videos on KCVC – “Setting Internship Goals”.
- This is a helpful article on example goals!
- Target specific companies
- Research and find what companies you want to work for.
- Also, research which companies have the best internships in your career field.
- Utilize Glassdoor
- Glassdoor is an excellent resource, as you can read honest reviews from people who have done internships or worked at companies you are interested in.
- On Glassdoor, you can search for specific internships and find what past interns have to say. This can also be a good resource when deciding on an internship, especially if you want to compare companies.
- One of my favorite features of Glassdoor is the interview section, which gives insight into how many interviews you should expect and the specific interview questions.
- Update your resume and LinkedIn
- Make sure your resume and LinkedIn profile are up to date. Don’t forget to add classes or certifications to make you stand out to employers.
- Make an appointment with us or stop by during drop-in hours to review both of these!
- Cover letter help
- Some internship applications will require a cover letter. Although these seem daunting, they are a great way to stand out from other applicants. Check out resources on KCVC, and you can make an appointment with Career Development to review your cover letter.
- Expand your network
- According to HubSpot, 85% of jobs are filled through networking.
- The more you can reach out to those around you through mutual connections at companies you are interested in, the better.
- Attend career fairs.
- Join LinkedIn Groups.
- LinkedIn allows you to see where alums are working. You can then reach out to an alumni who works at the company you are interested in. Schedule a time to meet with them; they could have a connection to the internship you are looking for.
- Building relationships early increases the likelihood of getting noticed when you apply; get your name out there!
- Practice your interview skills
- We offer mock interviews at the career development office. This is a great way to practice answering questions and receiving constructive feedback.
- When answering questions, use the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method. Here’s a more in-depth article!
- Apply strategically
- Don’t waste your time applying for internships that don’t align with your career goals.
- Focus on the ones that you think would be most beneficial for your career.
- Quality>Quantity.
- Don’t get discouraged
- Many internships are very competitive.
- After you apply, it can take months for them to get back to you.
- Keep looking for opportunities; there are many across different platforms such as LinkedIn and Handshake.
- Academic credit
- Through career development, you can gain academic credit through internships. For more information on this, schedule an appointment with us or email @internships@stkate.edu.
Conclusion
Overall, internships are a great way to gain experience and learn about what interests you. Starting your search early allows you to maximize your opportunities and potential. Internships are highly beneficial; they will enable you to apply academic knowledge in real-world settings, build professional relationships, and develop industry-specific skills that enhance your resume. Starting your internship early ensures you have time to strategically pursue the right opportunities, while the internship offers invaluable experience that sets you up for future professional success.
