While you all are counting down the days to your final exam of the semester and rushing to return your textbooks, the LAST thing on your mind is summer, and summer internships at that. It’s barely winter and the thought of polishing up your resume and cover letter is definitely not on the top of your to-do list. I completely understand. Now, if you are anything like me, I’m the champion of procrastination and the master at doing everything last minute. I take some pride in my skill, but last year I learned my lesson the hard way when I decided mid-way through spring semester that I should probably look into a summer internship. I was two weeks too late, and the thought of working at my neighborhood pool another summer was absolutely horrifying. Well guess what, not this year and unless you want to follow in my footsteps last year I suggest we get right to the point.
Many of us eagerly await winter break to take a load off and relax from stressful deadlines and tests, but this is the time to think about the months to come. Once you’ve slept and recovered from final exams and once all the hustle and bustle of the holidays is over the rest of winter break looms ahead. During your last two to three weeks of break be productive and lock down your ideal internship. Follow these 3 steps and land your dream internship for summer 2012!
Step One: Familiarize yourself with the University’s internship policies
Every university has a particular process for applying for internships. Most businesses only accept full-time students, who can receive a college credit so it’s important to be well informed of your department’s rules and policies. Make sure to mark your calendar with summer course deadlines so you receive credit for the internship.
Step Two: Take the time and do the research
You have free time, do the research and look up companies that you would be interested in working for. Determine if you would like to stay local or intern across the country, or if you’d like to intern at a small business and work your way up. This is the time to think about your dream job and potential career path. Big decisions, right? Don’t stress too much and keep an open mind. Most likely you aren’t going to intern for the most respectable PR firm or advertising agency but you have plenty of time to climb the ladder.
Step Three: PREPARE, PREPARE AND PREPARE
After you’ve done the research and have selected potential internships you’d like to apply to its time to blow the dust off that resume and polish it up. Most universities have great guides online through career services to build your resume and coverletter. Virginia Tech’s Career Services resume and coverletter center online is a great source for questions and to view other student resumes. If you haven’t checked it out I recommend in doing so at: http://www.career.vt.edu/JobSearchGuide/Index.html
Depending on which company you are applying to, some may ask for different documents in the applying process. Some may want just a resume while others may want to view a portfolio, as well as recommendation letters from previous employers and teachers.
If you don’t have a recommendation letter already and one is needed email teachers or pervious employers immediately to give them a month in advance to write the letter before the due date. Most internship deadlines run through January to March. And finally, before you apply make sure you have everything ready and prepared before you press the submit button.
Photo credit: http://geniusbeauty.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/office-dangers.jpg
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Virginia Tech chapter.