Above picture: Kinsey Donovan interned at Deloitte Consulting this summer. As part
of her internship, she went to Deloitte University with her fellow interns!
As a college student, there’s a high likelihood that you’ve heard of an internship before. To be specific, an internship is defined as “the position of a student or trainee who works in an organization, sometimes without pay, in order to gain work experience.” Most corporations and businesses offer opportunities for students to participate in internships over the summer, which is what the majority of us are probably looking for, and the application process usually starts in the fall.
There are so many things you can get out of an internship, such as career experience and skills that will increase your credibility when you start applying to full-time jobs later on. Also, you are able to make valuable connections with professionals in your desired work industry. Most internships are made for upperclassmen, but it’s completely possible to get one no matter what year you are. Here are some tips I have for finding an internship that’s right for you.
First, you need to figure out what specifically you’re looking for. While it’s fine to just apply to a large variety of different internships, it’s good to narrow them down to a specific field. For example, if you’re a marketing major, you can search for marketing internships specifically. If you’re interested in information technology, there are positions for that too. Remember, the point of an internship is to learn; you don’t have to be an expert in the field (unless a specific position requires it). Once you have that figured out, ask yourself: what exactly do you want to do? A few types of internships include co-ops, research, fieldwork, projects, etc. When applying for positions, they’ll specify what kind of internship it is, so make sure you pay attention to that.
Before you start applying for things, make a list of what you intend to apply to. Excel spreadsheets are always helpful for this. For example:
The reason this is useful is because it can be confusing to keep track of the different positions that you want to apply for, and the last thing you want is to miss out on an internship because you forgot about the deadline. Be organized and keep track of important due dates.
Now, it’s time for the actual search. The best advice I can give you, personally, is to apply for as many positions as you can. Yes, it may be time-consuming, but it will pay off in the end. Unlike college applications, applying for internships comes at no cost to you, and it’s better to end up with 2-3 offers than nothing at all. While the majority of companies start their hiring process in the fall, there’s always exceptions. I had an internship last summer with the Korean Innovation Center in Washington, D.C., which I did not apply for until late May. Don’t stop applying!
It’s also time to make two new best friends – Google, and your email. Google can lead you to any opportunity with the right search. Make sure you specify the exact things you’re looking for. A good example would be “summer marketing internships for undergraduate students”. This phrase specifies the time period, the type of job, and the type of applicant. Countless times, I’ve slogged my way through an application only to find out at the very end that it was for upperclassmen or graduate students. Don’t be me.
If you are in the Pamplin College of Business, then you must be familiar with the weekly newsletters we receive in our VT email. Instead of sending them straight to junk mail, take the time to read them. They always list available internship and work opportunities at different companies. Here’s a part of a recent email:
These are just a few of the opportunities listed – there’s usually around 9-10. Be sure to check it out. I got my internship from a Pamplin newsletter, so they definitely help. Career fairs like Business Horizons are also a vital source for internships. Make sure you look at their website (https://www.businesshorizonsstudents.com/) prior to the fair so you can find out which employers are going to be there so you can do your research. There’s also plenty of online resources that can help you prepare for the fair and present your best self when the day comes.
To sum this all up, internships can be a very essential part of your career. They provide a stepping stone between you and the corporate world, and allow you to gain various skills that you can use later on. Of course, not all of us are guaranteed internships; they can be very competitive, especially with bigger companies. If you don’t get the position of your choice, take it as a learning experience and keep it moving. The key is to be passionate about whatever you’re applying for – recruiters can tell who’s doing it strictly for the money and who’s doing it to actually learn something new. Stand out, and as always, be your best self!
Above picture: Abigail Mercatoris-Morrison had the opportunity to intern with American
Cruise Lines and serve on a ship on the Columbia and Snake rivers last summer.