With the end of the semester quickly approaching, many college students frantically start planning how to spend their summer. Many people consider internships as the best way to get real world experience related to their career path. As someone who is currently in the process of looking for an internship, I can say the application process is competitive and can be tricky, but I have collected some tips and tricks along the way:
1. Use your HuskyCareerLink
This platform is one I recently discovered and I wish I knew about it sooner. Similar to Indeed, the website posts jobs/internships and allows you to add specific filters such as major, location and job type (full time, part time, summer internship, etc.). What makes this platform unique is that it is designed specifically for UConn students. Many of the postings are from companies that commonly hire UConn students. It shows you where previous UConn students of the same major have worked, notifies you of events at school such as job/internship fairs, and allows you to upload your resume and cover letter for job matching. Overall, it is a good way to stay connected to the UConn community and gives a more narrow scope of jobs/internships.
2. Make an appointment with the career center
The Center for Career Development (CCD) at UConn has many resources which help during the application process. Students can make appointments for resume and cover letter critiques, mock interview practice, career coaching and can even stop by just to get some of their informational pamphlets relating to job recruitment. Last semester I had my first appointment for resume critique, and found it very useful to have another set of eyes looking over my resume. I realized there was lots of room for improvement, and felt much more confident applying to internships knowing I had made sufficient edits.
3. Networking
In today’s world, one of the biggest factors when looking for jobs/internships is who you know. If a recruiter is looking through numerous applications, having a personal connection with someone could be the distinguishing factor that makes your application stand out. In order to establish your network, talk to adults, professors, advisors and other professionals about what you are looking for, and you may find a possible inn at a company. Additionally, connect with individuals at your company of interest on LinkedIn. LinkedIn messages are a great way to put yourself out there and show true interest in the company regardless of whether they have current intern positions available.
4. Start early
It is always better to get an earlier start rather than waiting until the last minute. Some recruiters look at the timing of when you submit the application, and if they see it was sent at the last minute, they may assume that you are not eager to work there, or that you lack genuine interest. Additionally, this helps reduce stress as summer approaches and allows more time to research all opportunities.
5. Stay open to all options
If there is one thing to remember from these tips, it is this: though you may have your heart set on a certain internship, be open-minded to all options. Even if there is a job that doesn’t seem interesting at first glance, you may be surprised at what it has to offer. Try to be positive about all the internship opportunities, and don’t get too focused on one specific position. No matter where you are interning, there is useful learning experience to be gained.