8 Ways to Find an Internship When You Are in College

8 Ways to Find an Internship When You Are in College8 Ways to Find an Internship When You Are in CollegeYou stand the best chance of finding the perfect internship ifyou employ several different strategies. Networking, attending career fairs, looking for internship listings erreichbar, and identifying potential employers through classified ads, the local Chamber of Commerce, or by searching online are all ways to begin conducting your internship search. Finding an internship requires time and planning,but the results are definitely worth the effort. Here are some recommendations for those seeking a successful internship. 01Start Your Search Earlyiladendron/E / Getty ImagesBe aware that certain industries and internships have early deadlinesand recruit and hire as early as November. Beginning your internship search during winter break affords you additional lead time. It can also give youthe opportunity to make valuable connections with alumni or professionals within organizations of interest prior to returning to college. You can check with your colleges Career Services Office for assistance and to find out which internships recruit early.02Network Speak with family, friends, faculty, college advisors, and career counselors in the Career Services Office at your college about what type of internship you want and when and where you want to do it.Contacting alumni from your college and doing informational interviews can provide you with valuable information on career options and internships that you can pursue. Be sure to send a thank you note to them for sharing their time and expertise.04Check Online ResourcesContactyour Career Services Office at your college to see if they have recommended internship resources that you might use or subscribe to.Internships.com specializes in internships only and is a good place to begin your search. Also visit company websites and online and offline classified ads to identify employers who may be interested in hiring an intern .05Attend Career FairsCheck with your Career Services Office at your college to identify career and/or internship fairs occurring during winter break. Top employers attend career fairs to recruit, screen, and hire talented interns and employees.Be prepared to give a 60-second introduction that describes how you can be of value to an employer. Be sure to follow up with any recruiters you meetat a fair.06Contact EmployersTelephone or visit employers in your geographic and/or career areas of interest and inquire about summer jobs/internships. Again, be prepared to give a 60-second introduction that sells skills and explains how you can be of value.Focus on summer jobs available and, if interested, consider camp or resort opportunities to gain additional interpersonal and communication skills. Temp agencies also provide information on the employment needs of local employers. Be sure to follow up with employers whenever possible to arrange an in-person or telephone interview.07Become an EntrepreneurDo you have special skills or a way of meeting a market need? I once spoke with a college student who made over $2,500 a week selling ice cream from a truck he rented for the summer. He was so pleasantly shocked by the success of his venture that he planned an extended trip throughout Europe.08Gain Experience as a New Graduate or Career ChangerNew graduates and those experiencing career change can also try internships to gain perspective on new career fields and develop new knowledge and skills. Internships can be the bridge between an unsatisfying career and a potentially new and exciting venture. You can use internship and job search databases to identify organizations that meet your criteria.