Internships are known to be the key that opens many doors in the work world for students during and after college. According to the Endicott College Career Center Graduate Report Summary in 2015 states that fifty-three percent of the graduates reported securing their positions within the first year after graduation from former internship sites or internship site contacts, and 90 percent said working within their respective fields of study. Also, graduates indicated that their internship had either a “high” or “positive” impact on their successes in their first year of employment.
Here at St. John’s, we have an excellent Career Services team that is accessible to us. They can help us find internships, make connections, and find our dream jobs. New York City is known to be one of the job capitals in the world, and we are fortunate to have so much accessible to us.
Here are some of the easiest ways to finding the perfect internship for you:
See Your Career Services Advisor
Source: St. John’s University
Going to see your advisor is definitely an option that you must take advantage of if you are looking for an internship. They are going to encourage you to follow your dreams, and help you survive in the workplace by coaching you. The key things that will help you from Career Services is Handshake, LinkedIn, On-Campus Recruiting (OCR), and job and internship fairs that happen on campus. According to Career Services, Handshake is one of the essential tools that you should use. They state, “Your gateway to University Career Services, Handshake includes access to job, internship and campus recruiting listings; registration for Career Services programs; workshops, information sessions, career fairs and other event information; and additional career development and employment resources. To access Handshake, log in to MySJU – Click on the Career Services tab at the top and then the Handshake icon on the left side of your screen.”
Start Your Search Early and Identify Your Interests
Keep in mind that specific industries and internships have early deadlines and recruit and hire as early as November. Beginning your internship search during winter break affords you additional lead time into being one of the first people to apply. Decide what you want to do, but never worry about being too specific or concentrated. Gaining experience in several career fields is a good idea if you are unsure about the career you want to pursue after college. Think about what you enjoy and how that might parlay into a career. Internships can give you exposure to opportunities and a chance to sample new and exciting career fields.
Network
Speak with family, friends, faculty, college advisors, and career counselors in the Career Services 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 or email to them for sharing their time and expertise with you.
Have a Kick-ass Resume.
First things first, you need to have a clean and clear resume. Proofread your resume for any spelling errors. Don’t just trust your computer’s spell-check program and, if possible, have someone else read it too. If there are any spelling, style, or grammar mistakes, correct them. In addition to checking grammar and spelling, search your resume for any inaccuracies or situations where you may have stretched the truth. It is crucial to make these corrections because if the employer uncovers a lie on the resume or application or during the interview process, you could be discarded from the list or fired automatically on your next day.
Bring Your ‘A’ Game and Prepare for Interviews
It should also go without saying that you should be presentable (generally, this means conservatively dressed) when going to your interview. You should also consider asking questions. For example, consider asking about the company’s strategy, what the employer expects from the intern, or about some of its products or services. Why? This might help convey the message that you are a thinker and are genuinely interested in the position and the organization. You should also be prepared to answer questions as well, and not just about the nuts and bolts of the internship itself.