Internships are great experiences to put on your resume. They provide a gateway to experiencing what it would be like in the work field. Haven’t participated in an internship yet or maybe have had a bad experience? Internships don’t have to be a scary time for undergraduates. Internships can actually be quite fun! Here are some tips to finding the perfect internship and how to enjoy the experience once you are hired!
1. Look at the experiences that they will offer you
We all know that we need an internship to be competitive but no two internships are the same. Make sure to look at what each internship opportunity has to offer. By looking at what you will do at the internship, think about how that would translate on your resume. I would also make sure that they won’t give you just paper duty and give you no experience. All in all, find the internship that would give you what and the experience that you need to improve your resume.
2. Research
Research potential internship listing to find what suits your needs in experience as well as what relates best to your future goals in your career. By looking at the experience, the field and how well known they are, you can get an idea of how it will help you in the future.
3. Go out of your comfort zone
Sometimes there is just not an internship near you. Try finding an internship out of your comfort zone. I am a native Floridian and never lived outside of the state. For my first internship, I went through a program called The Washington Center. I was aiming to find a government-type communications internship that is rare to find in Tampa, Florida. Going to Washington DC was out of my comfort zone but by the end of it, I was as comfortable there as I was in Florida. It was one of the best things that I have ever done and it taught me a lot about the field that I want to work in.
4. Find a good match
One of the main things that you need to look at is the internship’s atmosphere. How do you find this out? By simply asking during the interview what the atmosphere is like. Not only is this a great question to ask your interviewer after your interview but it helps both sides to see if this would be a good match for the both of you. Remember your interviewing as much as your being interviewed.
5. Speak up
After your interview with your potential internship employer, make sure to be up front with what you want in your relationship. Ask the interviewer questions about items you would be responsible for, for example, if you are going to do press releases or writing articles. Knowing ahead of time what you will be doing will give you a good idea of what you will be doing on a daily basis.
6. Your first internship? No problem
Don’t be worried about not having previous experiences on your resume because more than likely you will already have the experiences that you need already. On your resume, mention your civil engagements and club positions as they show that you have initiative. The skills you learn are valuable as they can be translated into terms like leadership, and team player. They can be mentioned in future interviews as well.
Got the internship, now what?
1. Be prepared for your first day
The first day of any new internship is an overwhelming one. Here are some ways to feel more at ease. Dress your best as you want to make the best impression you can make to your fellow co-workers. Make sure you have a padfolio with you. The first day is known for taking loads of notes so be Bring your planner. I personally have two planners, one for school and one for work. I find that having my professional planner allows me to keep track of what I need to do for the day.
2. Talk to your co-workers
The best way to get comfortable in a new environment is to talk to your co-workers. They have been at the firm or company long enough to tell you some tips for inside the workplace and can even tell you the best place to have lunch. Not only does it give you a chance to get quickly situated but you might just get a reference out of it later.
3. Be a good listener
Listen to everything your supervisor tells you and write it down. Each company has their own set of rules to follow and ways they want things done. I suggest having your padfolio or a blank notebook ready at all times. You never know when you might need it.
4. Be Organized
Being organized it a great way to get things done at your internship. If you never have been much of an organized person, here are some tips you can follow to help you get things going. There are sites on the internet that are not only helpful but cute to look at. Sort projects by due date and priority. Don’t be afraid to ask when the project is due. I use sites like astrid.com and todoly.net to help me be organized at work while being paper free.
5. Most important: Work Hard and Have Fun!
Internships are one of the best experiences I had at college. Not only are they good for your resume, but also great for learning the field earlier. It also makes you extremely competitive in an already competitive job market. I wished I knew about it earlier but now you know my fellow Her Campus USF reader. What tips would you provide to others looking for an internship?