1. Conduct research using online internship databases
These contain hundreds of internship possibilities and enable you to search by area of interest and geographic preference. You can also set up search engines for email alerts on internships of interest. Catamount Job Link is a great resource. Here are some other databases to help you get started.
2.Target companies and organizations
Have your heart set on a particular organization? Check out their website under ”Careers” and see if there are internships posted. If not, contact Human Resources to inquire about internships and the application process. If there’s no internship program, get to work identifying possible contacts in the organization with whom you might network.
3. Network, network, network!
Who is already in your network that might have good contacts for you? Family, friends, parents of friends and faculty can serve as great starting points. Another great resource is the UVM Career Connection, our own network of alumni, family and friends. Remember, networking is about relationship building, so establish the connection first and then move into conversations about internships.
4.Attend Career and Internship Events
The Internship Hop on October 31, 2012, is a great way to get started on the internship search. Browse our resources, connect with career counselors for a personalized internship search, check out listings, and see where other UVM students have done internships. Job Fairs are another great way to find an internship. Talk with employers, establish a relationship and follow up!
5. Stop by Career Services for a Drop-In
Drop In’s are a great way to learn about options and resources. Talk with a career counselor for help identifying areas of interest and strategies for your search.
6. Create your own internship
Every employer has projects they just can’t get to. Be the solution to their problem. Ask the employer what projects they need help with and then set to work turning this into an internship.
As with any job search, a multi-pronged approach, along with persistence and follow up are key! Start now and keep working all of these strategies and you will be among those who gain that all-important career experience through an internship!
In today’s job market, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree can be the first step to a successful career. However, many employers look for students who have held internships or co-ops during their collegiate experience because employers understand the value they bring. Below are 3 reasons why internships are so important for today’s college student.
Internships can help students identify career paths- Internships allow students to see whether or not a career fits with their passion and interest. Sometimes the internship will foster the conclusion that the chosen career path is not what they had expected. However, in many cases, it can lead to a greater understanding of the field and assist with the development of skills marketable for their chosen career path.
Competition is high- In a global job market, competition can be quite steep, so obtaining a real world work experience such as an internship or coop can allow a student to become a more qualified candidate.
Internships can build connections within a career field- Through interning students can build their professional network which can be invaluable in today’s job search. When starting a job search, it’s important to know that 80% of jobs are found through networking. In fact, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 2008 Experiential Education Survey, employers reported hiring 70% of their interns.
This Thursday, October 20th Career Services will host our annual Internship Hop (I-Hop) from 1pm-4pm in Living Learning E.
Thanks to all who made the Internship Hop on October 20th a great success! We saw about 200 students come through looking for internships in many different fields.
Check out photos of the event on our flickr stream!
If you didn’t get a chance to stop by, make sure to:
How about a summer Brand Marketing internship with Burson Marsteller in New York —or something in Financial Services with Morgan Stanley? Perhaps you’d prefer to gain some experience right here in Burlington, working as an Account Management Intern with Dealer.com, or a Web Marketing Intern with Vermont Energy Efficiency Corporation .
