Today’s college students have it hard! Not only are they expected to excel at school, but they need to obtain internship opportunities so that by the end of their four (or more) years of study, they have a resume that is packed with experience. If you have the motivation and drive to rise to the top of your class, you will need to find ways to land those great internships. You may not find one in your town, you may have to travel, and you may even have to take an unpaid internship. In any case, find the best internship you can, preferably every summer during your college carreer, and you will be first in line for the best positions in your field. But how is it done? Here are five tips that will help you break down any barriers:
- Create a “letter of introduction” that indicates your interest in an internship, your unique skills and interests, and your career objectives. Take it to the firms that most interest you.
- Call on firms. Dress in a business-like manner and directly knock on doors, asking for the appropriate person to talk to about internships.
- If you have special skills, offer to do special projects for firms. You may learn that a certain company is starting a new branch or needs computer professionals. If you have the needed skills, your project could come in handy.
- Ask your professors if they have any knowledge of internships. Sometimes companies send letters of request directly to university professors.
- Consider interning for non-profit or volunteer organizations. These are also great learning opportunities and stepping stones for advancement.
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- BusinessWeek Knows: What are the Best Business Internships?
- How to Find a Summer Internship: The Three Stepping Stones
- 5 Great Ideas for High School Internships
- How to Prepare for a Chemical Engineering Internship
- Consider International Internships in Micro Finance—6 Steps
- How to Find International Internships for Business Majors