As you progress further and further into your college education, one thing you will realize is that a college textbook will only teach you so much. In order to really hone your education and apply it to the work field, interning is essential. Now if you’re like me, and the idea of working a mundane internship in which you dread commuting to all summer is not up your alley, here are some helpful tips in helping you find an internship perfect for you.
Figure out and pursue what interests you. Quite possibly the most important tip; the purpose of an internship is to explore a specific field to see if you would like to pursue it as a possible career, so you should do something that really interests you and builds upon your current skills. If you’re attracted to graphic design, see if local firms are looking for design or administrative interns. If you like the writing and editing aspect of public relations, contact the media relations department of a company to see if they are interested in hiring an assistant editor. Even if the position isn’t exactly what you imagined, you can still learn about the industry, how the profession works, gain insight into the skills and tools necessary to succeed and begin building your network with professionals in this field.
Hit up people in the field.
Do some research on local companies or places you think you might want to intern, and check out LinkedIn to see if you have any connections who work there. Reach out to learn more about openings they may have, or if you have questions about a certain position they have posted. Similar to applying to college, it’s helpful to research and talk to as many people as possible in order to learn more about a specific field, company, or internship opportunity.
Pimp out your LinkedIn Profile and resume.
When applying for internships, it’s important to have a complete, up-to-date record of your professional experience, interests and goals. Because LinkedIn is such a valuable asset in finding an internship, you may want to start there. By keeping an up-to-date LinkedIn Profile, it will be easier to apply to internships online, either on LinkedIn or directly through the company or organization’s website. Employers will then be able to dictate based of these assets whether you are best suited for the position, and, more importantly, if it is the right internship for you.
Consider time as a concern.
If you’re thinking about getting an internship later this spring or summer, now is the time to start looking. Many companies begin the selection processes for summer internship opportunities for college students in January or February. If you wait too long, this may hurt your chances of finding your perfect internship.
Zac is a public relations and marketing student and a student athlete at the university. As a two year starter on the varsity football team, Zac also competed in track and field last spring. Zac is a member of the WUPRSSA Executive Board, serving as treasurer, along with a member of Waynesburg’s Business club. Zac also serves as a representative of Waynesburg’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
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