10 Steps to Internship Success

1. SET AND ARTICULATE GOALS
2. ATTEND A CAREER CENTER EVENT OR MEET INDIVIDUALLY TO SET STRATEGIES
3. DEVELOP INTERNSHIP SEARCH TOOLS
4. IDENTIFY A “HIT LIST”
5. ESTABLISH AND USE A “NETWORK”
6. RESPOND TO POSTED AND PUBLICIZED OPPORTUNITIES
7. CALL FIRST, THEN EMAIL OR FAX AND, FINALLY, MAIL RESUMES, COVER LETTERS, APPLICATIONS, AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS TO PEOPLE, PLACES OR PROGRAMS ON YOUR HIT LIST AND IN YOUR SUPPORT NETWORK.
8. FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP
9. INTERVIEW
10. RECEIVE OFFERS AND ACCEPT ONE

1. SET AND ARTICULATE GOALS. The first step in setting goals is identifying the desired internship. It can be any career related experience, typically more sophisticated work than a “summer job”. It can be near home, near school or in a city you’ve always wanted to see, during the academic year or during break. It can be paid or for credit (not both). It can be on a volunteer basis to gain experience. It can be full time or part time. It can be all summer long, during the academic year or a mini-experience during winter or spring break, or even an externship (shadowing). It can be, for Engineering students, an Industry Practicum or co-op like experience (see John Ballou in CCAS for more information). To succeed state what you want to do and where you want to obtain an internship. This involves pResearch (research before internship search) of fields and job functions. Don’t fear focus. Research, articulate, then take behavioral action steps towards your internship goals. We encourage you investigate the following page dedicated to exploring academic/professional interests and career fields.

2. ATTEND A CAREER CENTER EVENT OR MEET INDIVIDUALLY TO SET STRATEGIES. Some key publications and networking resources available in the Center’s Goldberg Library will be highlighted. Also, through one-on-one meetings, you should develop strategies unique to your circumstances and goals.

3. DEVELOP INTERNSHIP SEARCH TOOLS. Draft, finalize, then use resumes, cover letters, follow up correspondence, portfolios and other materials, which project goals and qualifications. Copies of sample resumes and cover letters are available for download online. Have a counselor critique your documents and store resumes in our web-driven database, CareerLink. Be sure to email yourself your resume or bring it on a flash drive to your critiquing appointment.

4. IDENTIFY AND CONTACT THOSE ON A “HIT LIST” OF POTENTIAL INTERNSHIP EMPLOYERS. Use directories and printed and online resources to develop a list of persons, places, organizations and programs to contact. Call first, then email or fax and, finally, mail resumes and cover letters. Inform as many as possible about your goals.

5. ESTABLISH AND USE A “NETWORK.” Ask friends, family members, faculty, and, most importantly, alumni(ae) to assist with pResearch (research before internship search) and actual search efforts. Information conversations with alums often lead to formalized internships or “special projects.” Meet with a career counselor to gather names from the alumni directory.

Also, “internetworking” now means using the internet for varied activities. Networking is done to explore career options and set goals (via “information conversations” or “shadowing experiences”), and to conduct active internship search efforts. Know your goals and act accordingly, honestly seeking information when establishing goals, and consideration and referrals when seeking a job. Be sure to make use of the Career Advisory Network, located in the Career Center’s Goldman Library.  Resources such as CareerShift and LinkedIn (For a how-to-use LinkedIn handout, click here) are amazing tools. Please discuss with a Career Center Counselor how to maximize your effectiveness and appropriately use these powerful web resources.  Strategic and goal-focused networking can be extremely effective, but over-generalized and “shot gun” approaches can diminish your potential for success.

6. RESPOND TO POSTED AND PUBLICIZED OPPORTUNITIES. Locate and use internship postings, printed and electronic want ads, as well as on- and off-campus recruiting. CareerLink and the Nationwide Internships Consortium have many postings; you can also find sites by career path. Maximize your effectiveness by using both proactive and reactive efforts. Attend one or more of the Career and Internship Connection events held off campus. Also, explore overseas study programs with internship components, some of the easiest to identify and most rewarding internship/academic experiences.

7. CALL FIRST, THEN EMAIL OR FAX AND, FINALLY, MAIL RESUMES, COVER LETTERS, APPLICATIONS, AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS TO PEOPLE, PLACES OR PROGRAMS ON YOUR HIT LIST AND IN YOUR SUPPORT NETWORK. Inform as many people as possible, as often as possible, about your internship goals. Take first steps, and then keep the flow of communications persistent, yet appropriate. Attach a resume to initial and follow up correspondence, using phone and other resources in the Career Center.

8. FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP. Communicate with internship sites, and network members by phone, email, and mail.

9. INTERVIEW. Communicate motivations and, most importantly, qualifications by phone and in person. Use the information in this publication to prepare for your interviews. Additional tips on interviewing can be found here.

10. RECEIVE OFFERS AND ACCEPT ONE. Conduct post-offer analysis after you receive internship offers. Also, explore taking classes or volunteering. Continue skills building by taking classes in goal-related areas or by finding part-time paid or volunteer experiences, or by completing “special projects.” Each experience will enhance your chances of obtaining your goals. Be resourceful about funding your internship! Apply for Reach Funds!