Allison writes:
My professors keep telling me I need to get at least one internship before I graduate, and I am thinking of trying to get one for next summer. I was planning on waiting to look for internships until spring break, but one of my friends told me that I should start looking like sooner. Also, what are the best sources for internships?
The Career Doctor responds:
All college students should complete at least one internship, and ideally, several, while you attend school. I actually encourage my first-year students to consider an internship after their first year of college (even though the most sought-after internships usually require junior or senior standing).
Internships give you valuable work experience, help you learn more about your intended career, and can help you decide on a specific career path. Internships also help you expand your network of contacts, and in some cases, can make you drastically rethink your career focus if you have a really bad experience.
Your email comes at a good time, because I would actually start looking for internships NOW. Hot internships (with companies like Nike) have very early deadlines because they receive so many applications for so few internship slots. Start now, but keep working on it over the next few months and try for at least a couple of internship offers so that you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
Here are my top sources for uncovering internship leads:
- Company Websites — look in their career/jobs area.
- Career Services — check with your college’s career center for leads.
- Professors — many professors are connected with companies and alums offering internships.
- Career Network — ask all the people in your network of contacts about internship possibilities (and additional contacts)
- Internship Websites — there are a few top internship Websites that offer great leads for internships.
Here are three tools for you to consider using as you move forward with your internship search — and then when you actually intern:
