As a student, summers between school years are a unique time of freedom from the real world. While many students get a summer job to make some money, other students take part in internships that forward their career, experience, and create an exciting and different sort of summer.
Interested in getting an internship for yourself?
It can be overwhelming when looking at the plethora of jobs, organizations, or listed internships online. Following a step by step process can lessen the stress and help you to choose the right internship for your ideas and goals in life.
Finding Businesses
The Internet is a great way to put out networking feelers. First of all, there are specific internship-based websites where organizations can post openings for interns and students (or other internship hopefuls) can search for postings and find those that pique their interest or fit into their future career plans. Other sites like MonsterTRAK are great for posting your resume and searching for available openings.
If you know what career you're interested in, you can visit websites exclusively to that field (such as engineering or theatre). More specifically, you can search for certain businesses or non-profit organizations that fit your interests, and if they don’t have a position listed, send them a query letter letting them know your interested in interning for them for a period of time.
Resume and Cover Letters
Writing a good resume for your application is absolutely vital. There are many resources online that can give a detailed, step-by-step description for how to write a good resume, and if you are a college student, there typically are offices in your school administration that help students create professional and polished resumes.
Some basic tips for any resume can still be helpful, especially when starting that first step. It is important to realize that a resume is essentially a list of verbs that describe you. Each line within each section of your resume should begin with a unique and vibrant word that is accurate and jumps off the page.
Second, remember that while your resume layout should remain professional, there is no reason that it should be boring. Interesting fonts (for your name, address, etc.) and an eye-pleasing template that makes use of bold, italics, and dividers, can go a long way to make your resume stand out from a pile of other resumes.
Third, your cover letter should always accompany your resume. This part of your application includes a more personal touch. Think of it as an opportunity to relate with whomever you are speaking to; give them reasons why you find their work fascinating, and want to not only gain experience, but take part in their daily work life.
Stipend/Paying for you Internship
Some internships pay their interns while they work, which is a great way to afford doing an internship instead of a job. However, many internships do not. If you are a student, you should inquire to your school if they supply stipends for students doing internships. Stipends are like small grants that are awarded to help with basic living costs when participating in internships. Also, it is important to remember to live frugally, and focus your energies on your internship, and not spending money you don't have on non-necessities.
Overall, internships are an important stepping-stone for modern-day students. It gives experience to the student, as well as shows him or her what life would be like within a certain career.
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