Internships are reservoirs of resources for students because they offer such a wealth of knowledge and experience that aren’t typically found in ordinary jobs. Internships are just the kind of thing to make your resume stand out compared to other students in the work world. Not only that, you get the chance to network with significant individuals in your field, and learn firsthand the kind of work to expect in the future. This, along with many other reasons, make internships such a valuable asset for all students to utilize as much as possible.
So what can one do to not only find and get an internship, but also maximize it?
Reach out to as many resources as possible: Resources aren’t just online job sites and search engines. Your professors, staff, and even your friends can be resources. All you have to do is ask.
Apply, no matter how much they ask for: A lot of times we get discouraged from applying or doing anything that requires us to do things that actually require work. Well, this is the real world - nothing comes easy. The employers want to separate those who are serious from those who aren’t, so don’t get cut early.
Don’t give up even when you aren’t offered the internship: Being declined isn’t the end of the world. There are countless internships out there, you just have to keep looking. Have the mindset to not give up because when one door closes, another one opens. The only way to get an opportunity is to keep applying. The applications won’t fill themselves.
Keep in contact with all employers: Just because the internship ended doesn’t mean forget your employer forever. Continue to speak with them when the internship ends. This will be help strengthen that relationship, which will be beneficial in the future.
Network, network, network: It’s a workplace, meaning you aren’t working on your own in some abandoned cubicle. Get to know your fellow co-workers. Introduce yourself, ask about their work, express interest, and make sure the office knows your goals and ambitions. They may just be able to, or know someone, who can help.
Make lasting connections: Don’t come in everyday and just do your work. Get to know your supervisor, and go past the professional level. Not only does that show them that you have interest in who they are and what they do, but they may even be able to write that bomb recommendation letter you’ll need in the future.
Don’t be another intern. Stand out: Don’t be the intern that came in and just did what they were told. Be proactive! Ask for more work from your supervisor. Find something in the worksite to improve. These things give you have a higher chance of getting offered the chance to return after the internship ends, and people will remember you by your actual name, and not just “the new intern”.
One crucial thing to keep in mind is that all internships aren’t paid. This may play a huge part in the internships you apply for and it should. Some internships hold more weight than others, or will be more significant for you. For example, an unpaid opportunity at Google may seem like a better option than a paid one at a small local business. You just have to weigh the options, keeping in mind you are in college, and determine which opportunities will better suit you. It will be a hard decision to make, but remember there will always be opportunities available, just not at every place.
Overall, an internship helps a great deal in one’s future. Use them to your advantage and get the most out of it. That’s the whole point of getting an internship. When an internship is used correctly, it can open many doors for you, and at that point, the sky’s the limit.
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