How Can a College Student Find Internships?

If you're hoping to take the world by storm as a college graduate, you can't go wrong with the perfect internship. Research shows that hundreds of thousands of Americans take on internships each year, and students who complete an internship get 16% more job offers than those who don't!

An internship in your chosen field can help you polish your resume, learn some crucial skills, and even get the job of your dreams. Of course, that's only true if you manage to find one that works for your career path!

There are plenty of ways for college students to find internships, but the search can take some serious time and effort. If you're hoping to streamline your path to employment after graduation, here are a few key steps worth taking.

Consider Your Dream Job

Before you start your search, consider what kinds of jobs you'd love. Most people don't snag their dream job right out of college, but you can still be strategic about using an early internship as a stepping stone toward that job. 

What skills will you need for your dream job? What kinds of experiences would give you a leg up in the job market?

If you can name any specific companies you'd like to work for, start making a list for later. In addition to this list, consider any smaller local companies that might provide employees with similar skills and experiences.  

Start Looking Early

College internships are different from full-time jobs in several ways, but there's one important facet to keep in mind: the application timeline. 

Don't expect to apply to an internship a week or month in advance of when you'd like to start. Many companies begin recruiting in the early spring and even late fall for a summer internship. They'll often finish selecting applicants several months before the internship begins!

In other words, be aware of the deadlines of any internships you consider. Just as you should when applying for scholarships, create a running calendar to keep yourself on track.

Ask Around at School

The best place to start your search for college internships is with the faculty members at your school. Your department heads and professors are likely to have connections with organizations outside of your school that offer internships. They may even have partnerships with these organizations that make it easier for students at your school to apply.

In addition, don't forget to check your university's website, especially the section devoted to your department, for insights. You can also reach out to your academic advisor, who may be able to point you toward relevant programs.

Last, don't forget to check with your career services department. Not only is it likely that they'll have information about upcoming internship deadlines, but they might also have a mailing list you can join to learn of new openings.

Visit a Career Fair

Your school's career fairs are a great way to find internships in addition to jobs. Many hiring managers and major employers have a presence at college career fairs, as it makes it easier to recruit new employees before they've even graduated. As a bonus, this offers you an opportunity to talk with a prospective employer face-to-face before you decide whether you'd like to apply for their internship.

Again, be sure to start looking early: if you're hoping to be a summer intern, start your research early by visiting the fall career fair at your university. Some schools will have more frequent fairs than others, so be sure to check with the university's career office for the schedule.

Note that you should treat any interaction at a career fair just like you'd treat an interview. Dress well, have copies of your resume on hand, and prepare to network. Don't forget to take advantage of any resume-writing services your school offers before the fair!

Start Networking

Networking is a great way to start opening doors. Whether you're speaking with friends and family or like-minded students from around campus, it can help you find opportunities you wouldn't otherwise have known about. Seek out meetings with your university's alumni and look for chances to talk to people in your chosen industry.

When the opportunity allows, mention in conversations that you're looking for an internship. Not only can this help you get vital info, but you might also get a glowing recommendation to pair with your application!

Check Online

Doing some online sleuthing can help you find internships in your career field. Start with the list of companies you created above.

Many major companies will have a separate page dedicated to job and internship openings. If there are no internships for the time being, bookmark the page and check back later or reach out to the company to see when they offer them.

In addition, you can try searching the listings on major job boards. Monster, Glassdoor, and Indeed are all great options.

However, you might have an easier time searching more internship-focused sites. College Recruiter and InternJobs, for example, are great options for both internships and entry-level jobs.

Don't forget to check social media as well. LinkedIn is a great place to look for internships in addition to job listings, and creating a profile there can also help you with networking.

Other platforms like Twitter and Facebook are also common places where companies make announcements. If any companies you'd like to work with are active on social media, make sure you're following them for the latest updates on job openings and internships.

Start Finding the Right Internships

No matter what kind of career you're dreaming of, finding the right internships can be the key to your success. Though securing one of these competitive opportunities can be tough, a bit of effort can help you earn the skills and experience you'll need on the job.

Hoping to make yourself more marketable on your applications? Consider connecting with our large and inclusive network! Become a member today to showcase your academic achievement.