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The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting an Internship!

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at KU chapter.

I have heard of so many people who are getting internships this summer. From my peers to some adults that I know— heck, even I have one. So, today, in preparation for your future, I wanted to give you all some tips on how to get a rocking internship!  

As well as some of my tips, here are some other great ones! 

Do Apply Everywhere You Can

Okay, I know that not everyone spends countless hours applying for internships that they probably won’t get paid for, but in retrospect, applying for internships increases your ability to get noticed. Believe me, coming from someone with no experience, I had no idea what to look for, so I applied everywhere I could, and someone noticed. Someone will notice your hard work, and the benefits will roll in!

Don’t Say No

What I realized very quickly from working at my internship is to never say no. Always do what your boss may ask of you. Even though getting your boss a cup of coffee may sound stupid or remedial, just remember that you are gaining experience! Also, many people get chosen for certain internships because they welcome small tasks. I know, nobody likes doing those jobs, but it will make you a harder worker in the future.

Do Be Bold

I know this might sound a little weird, but it is actually a really great way to score an awesome job. From working as a communications intern, I know that competition can be tough for these jobs. So, being bold and standing out is always a great way to score what you want. Make sure that you show your potential employer all that you can offer to the company, and make sure to be nice about it to. Internships are about you learning and succeeding, and being bold shows the company that you are ready to take that next step.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

If there was one thing that I took away from my time at my last internship it would be that asking questions is almost imperative. Internships are a way for you to sink your feet into something and see if it is the right fit for you, and asking questions is the best way to figure that out. If you are doing something important and you forget, ask again. It will remind your boss that you do want to learn – and you will gain experience in the long run!

Do Come Prepared

Like with being bold, you need to be prepared. Having a resume, even if it is not much, is very important, because it does show the employers what you can do for them. Also, coming prepared with some of your work, if you have any, will also help you. You can show some in the interview and explain a lot of your process, which is always a good idea!

Take a tip from the University of Montana and stuff your bag with these goodies! 

I hope that these simple do’s and don’ts from a fellow college girl help you all out. If I inspired you, make sure to check out KU’s internship career fair every winter. They are always packed with awesome jobs! But, since some of you might be little “speed-demons” like me, check out internships.org. They gather all of the internship information in your area and help you out!

I wish you all the best of luck! 

Shelby is a senior here at KU. As well as being the Admin Director for Her Campus KU and a Chapter Advisor, she is involved in Student Senate and Alpha Delta Pi. Her obsession with Chipotle is never ending and she can make a mean chocolate chip cookie. Follow her on Twitter @shelsncheese and Instagram @shelbyostrom_