A2X Consulting

Summer may be prime internship season but employers need help year-round.  Getting an internship during the academic year will let you beat the crowds that focus on summer internships.  Here are some tips for finding a position.

The Career Development Office

Every college has one; have you checked yours out? Employers share internship opportunities with career offices.  They’re also a great resource to connect with alumni. Many people like to hire interns from their alma mater.  Counselors at the career center can help you write your resume and cover letter, conduct mock interviews or just talk with you about your options.  Best of all? These resources are all free to current students.

Your Professors, Coaches, and Advisors

Everyone says networking is the name of the game when it comes to jobs. You might say, Yeah, right, networking is something for my parents. Who do I know? But you already have a network. Professors are a great resource for job opportunities. They might know people in your target industry and since they know your work, they might be able to recommend internships that are a good fit.  If you’re an athlete, talk to your coach. He or she already knows you’re disciplined and dedicated, two great qualities for an intern. They can keep their eyes open for opportunities. Not an athlete? Reach out to your work-study supervisor, volunteer coordinator, theatre director, etc. When you think about it, you really do know a lot of people.

People from Past Internships

If you’re lucky enough to already have had an internship, then you have a wealth of contacts.  Keep in touch with your former internship boss and co-workers.  A friendly, hi, how are you email every once in a while is an easy way to stay at the front of their mind. In some industries, everyone knows everyone else, and a recommendation can go a long way.

Your friends

This works best with friends who are different majors so you won’t be competing for the same internships. Have them ask around their network about opportunities.  And make sure to do the same for them!

Cold-calling

Definitely not for the faint of heart, but your chutzpah can win you major points.  On a personal note, I got one of my internships through cold-calling.  I googled magazines in the city where I attended school and called them. You need a fine-tuned “commercial” for this step, a short speech explaining what you’re studying, what interests you about this company, and what you hope to gain from an internship.  The goal of a cold-call is to convince the person to give you an interview. It’s time-consuming process but it’s often over-looked, so it may give you an edge.

These tips can apply whether you’re searching during the summer or the school year. With a little legwork and ingenuity, hopefully you’ll land that internship in no time.

 By Danielle Bullen. Danielle is a writer and resident of the Philadelphia area. She can be reached at Daniellebullen@comcast.net.