Internships in College | How to search and apply for internships

Internships provide hands-on experience that can help you deeply comprehend your professional path. You may not only get industry-relevant skills, but you can also create a solid and reliable network that can prove ‌beneficial to your career growth. On the flip side, students with no prior job experience do not have a clear idea about the industry’s daily operations they wish to work in. How to find internships for college students is a lingering question that you come across. Here are a few ways to promptly search and apply for internships.

1. Begin your search early

Certain firms and internships may have tight deadlines and recruit interns earlier than the other firms. Beginning your hunt for the ideal college internship may give you an added advantage compared to the other candidates. An early start might also help you create better relations with alumni or professionals from the organization.

2. Get things ready on your end

If you are looking for a new job, you need to polish your resume and make it look professional. It would help if you kept a professional CV, a cover letter, a list of references, and other necessary documents handy. These documents can be tweaked depending on the internship you are applying for. Likewise, career portals can help too. Take some time to create a LinkedIn profile to create a better chance of landing your desired internship.

3. Check online resources

There are multiple websites where you can begin your search for college internships. Employers interested in employing an intern may also look at corporate websites, online job portals, and classified advertisements. Keeping an eye out for such resources may help you get better opportunities.

4. Attend career fairs and workshops

Institutions host job fairs or other employment fairs that can connect you with your desired internship. Attending career fairs is an excellent method to network with recruiters and learn about prospective internship opportunities around you.

It is essential to have a copy of your CV that highlights any work experience you have, including previous internships, part-time employment, and other educational and academic qualifications.

5. Identify the prospects

It is important to identify the kind of prospects you are looking for. If you’re not sure what job you want to follow after graduation, gaining experience in various industries might help you draw a picture of the same. Considering your interests and how they could translate into a job might help you make better decisions.

Once you’ve compiled a list of firms you believe might be a good fit for you, it’s time to contact them. This might also help you to stand out from the crowd. While getting in touch with the prospects, it’s important to highlight your talents and why they should pick you for a college internship over the other candidates. If you are using an email template, it is important to customize it and not send out a generic one.

6. Keep a check on your interests

Before applying for internships, it is critical to consider one’s talents and areas of interest. Anyone applying for a job should be clear about their responsibilities and consider their duties effectively while using their skills and expertise. While having a clear idea of one’s interests is an excellent place to start looking for an internship, one should also keep in mind not to be overly picky about your choices. This helps you be open to more options.

7. Try volunteering

Volunteering for organizations such as political, charitable, or special interest groups you feel inspired by can prove ‌beneficial when looking for an internship program. Volunteering can help you ‌develop skills related to your desired career and expand your professional network.

8. Prepare for interviews

Submitting your application is simply not enough. It is important for you to ace the interview process too. Besides a video call, your interview could also merely be a telephonic call. But regardless of the medium, it’s always good to be prepared. A little research about the company will undoubtedly help you create a good impression.

What we have to say

College Internships are a great way to get experience, exposure, and a fresh perspective in the industry. Apart from experience, it helps you develop new talents and enables you to form new networks. Further, an internship can also help you advance your career, confidence, quickness, problem-solving, and flexibility. Internships allow students to acquire new skills and possibly find new interests or career choices.

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. For any queries or further assistance, reach out to us or drop a comment below!

Liked this Blog? Read more: Top 5 interview tips for freshers to ace the interview.

FAQ’s

Q1. How many Google interns get hired every year?

Answer – According to Google employees, the firm accepts around 1,500 interns among 40,000 annually in the United States alone. 

Q2. How long is a Google internship?

Answer – A Google internship is 12-14 weeks long.

Q3. What are some other ways to increase your chances of getting a college internship?

Answer – Some other ways to increase your chances of getting an internship include – 

• Leverage your current network
• Cold Calling
• Go for interviews
• Be consistent