Even in the throes of a dreary snow day, it feels like summer is right around the corner—especially when it comes to attempting to find an internship for the break. Here are a few tips to both find your dream internship and apply!
HOW TO FIND:
1. Pay attention to House/club lists
My usual reaction to emails coming from any massive email list is
I’m sure many of you are the same way. But for the next month or so, I’d recommend at least glancing at every email to see if they contain any opportunities.
2. Reach out to connections—your family friends, your favorite professors
Last year, I felt absolutely lost in my search for an internship. I thought I wanted to go back home to California, but I had no idea how to find a meaningful summer experience as a freshman! I sent out a few emails with large words and eloquent phrases to some contacts, but the letters basically boiled down to:And guess what—it worked! I landed my dream internship through a family friend of a family friend. Use your contacts!
3. Make use of Harvard’s resources as opposed to “internships.com”
It’s true, Harvard’s internships might be more competitive, as you will be matched against all of your peers, but the internships through the Office of Career Services and the Student Employment Office will most likely be more reputable than those through generic search engines.
4. Narrow down your search
Try to identify at least one thing you DEFINITELY need this summer—do you absolutely have to be in Greece?
Are you all about New York?
Are you desperate for a journalism job?Or do you want to be in government?
Do you absolutely need to be earning money?
Narrow your parameters so you will understand what exactly you need from a potential internship!
HOW TO APPLY:
1. Make sure to copy and paste important phrases from job description.
Those reading your application will be looking for the buzzwords from their description of an ideal applicant. Make sure to describe exactly how you are suited for their position!
2. Find applicable recommenders
Are you doing something academic? Go for a professor or TF. Are you applying for a job? Get a past employer to write your recommendation. Make sure to request letters from people that will best represent you to those who might hire you!
3. Craft cover letters specific to each position—and double check.
I made a very fun mistake a few weeks ago when I assured the internship leaders in Vietnam that I couldn’t wait to work in Croatia… Yeah. That was an interesting explanation I had to make… Be sure to make special applications for every position you apply for!
Good luck to those of you beginning the process of finding an internship. And when you get an internship, I hope it’s the one you’ve always dreamed of!