Towards the end of the semester, many will ask you, “What are your plans for this summer?” Some students will say traveling, spending time with the family, watching Netflix, or working part-time at a fast food restaurant. Other students; however, will say: Nothing, just hanging out. While the summer time is a great time to get refreshed, it is also the perfect time to build your résumé, gain major-specific job experience, and network with employers.
Back in the day when I was an undergraduate student, getting an internship was a rare practice. At the time, I wanted to stand out amongst the crowd, and I decided to pursue an unpaid internship for a debt management company in Santa Fe Springs, CA. The internship lasted for 6 weeks and I do not regret any minute of it. To my surprise, I was not asked to make coffee or do meaningless tasks.
It was through observation and practice that I was able to learn about work expectations, meet seasoned employees in the field, and develop a variety of useful work skills (e.g., spreadsheet formulas, mailing distribution, etc.). Nowadays employers expect students coming out of college to have relevant internship experiences. As such, I’ll discuss how to rock your first summer internship.
Why Seek a Summer Internship?
Students are often not aware of benefits of obtaining summer internship experience, or how to get started. There are a variety of reasons to consider.
Develop Major-Specific Job Experience
Think about your “dream job” after you graduate. What do you want to try out relevant to your major? This is your chance to get your feet wet and to explore, with no negative consequences. Do you want to work for a bank or an IT company? Do you want to work in a small, medium, or large organization? What type of people do you like to work with? What do you like to do? In order to find out, an internship can provide you with an opportunity to “test out” any industry or field before committing to it. For instance, at my internship, I wanted to learn what it was like to work in a debt management industry. From the internship, I learned what I liked and (did not like) about the industry. While the internship experience was a positive one, after much reflection, I decided to not pursue a career in this industry. However, without this internship experience, I would have never known this about myself.
Earn Additional Income
Many internships out there are unpaid. However, the good news is that several internships are now offering stipends or scholarships upon completing of the internship in a variety of fields. Summer internship payments typically range from $500-$5,000 depending on the field, time of service, and location. Some internships even provide free travel and housing support. For instance, some internships are located in Washington, DC, or Austin, TX and organizations are willing to pay for travel accommodations. Other internships are offered remotely, which means you can obtain the experience through your home computer or laptop. At my internship, even though it was labeled “unpaid,” the CEO was so impressed with my work that she provided me with a $500 paycheck upon the completion of the internship. At the time, that was a lot of money.
Obtain Course Credit
The Paul & Virginia Engler College of Business offers 3-unit course credit courses for undergraduate students when obtaining a paid internship. These courses can count as an elective by major, and it includes Accounting, Business, Computer Information Systems, Economics, Finance, and Management (e.g., ACCT 4398; BUSI 4398, CIDM 4398, MGT 4398, etc.). It is important to first discuss this potential option with your assigned academic advisor. Also, before enrolling students need to complete at least 45 credit hours, complete any pre-requisites (if any), and obtain the approval from the associate dean (Dr. Johnathan Shaffer).
Improve your Networking Skills
During your internship experiences, you will meet a variety of seasoned employers who fulfill various roles in the organization. Communicating with these individuals will enable you to grow your social network. In the job market, it’s not always who you know, but rather who knows you. For instance, in the future, you may need to ask specific career-related questions, or you many need a letter of recommendation. It is through your networking skills that you can obtain access to additional job opportunities.
Become More Valuable for Future Employers
With internship experience added to your résumé and your repertoire, employers are more likely to notice you and your potential. An as an employee, you have a variety of soft and hard skills. However, it is through an internship that you demonstrate how you used those skills in the real world. If given a choice between a student with no relevant experience and one with relevant experience. Chances are high that employers are likely to hire the student with the relevant internship experience.
Impress Graduate School Admission Committees
Interestingly, having internship experience also makes you a better candidate for graduate school. When I applied to graduate school at CSU-Long Beach, I used my internship experiences to build a stronger personal narrative in my graduate application. And, as a result, I did get accepted with a paid graduate teaching assistantship. Having internship experiences can impress school admission committees because it demonstrates maturity and discipline.
Finding a Summer Internship
Once you’ve decided that you want a summer internship there are some things to consider. Make sure you have at least one summer that you can devote to gaining internship experience. Below are some strategies and resources that can help you secure your first summer internship.
Set Goals
Start by setting internship goals for yourself. By setting goals you can easily track your progress in your internship journal. Sample internship goals include:
- To attend an internship workshop through the Career Development Center.
- To meet with a professor or staff member to learn more about internship opportunities and tips.
- To contact at least 3 companies about their availability of internships.
Identify your Top Company List
A good strategy is to identify the type of companies you are interested in. Consider the type of company in terms of its competitiveness, size, location, and relevance. For instance, if you are a finance major, you would narrow it down to the type of bank you want to work for. Plan to identify at least 5 ideal companies that match your career interests. Then, learn as much as you can about each of them, so you can contact them directly for opportunities.
Explore Career Websites
It’s important to do a general search of available internships in the area. A good place to start is the WTAMU Handshake, which posts a variety of opportunities. Select internship opportunities that match your major and interests. Make sure to have a résumé ready to go, so you can upload it, as needed. External career websites are also available via Indeed, DCInternships, Glassdoor, and WayUp. Also, social networking sites such as LinkedIn also offer countless of internship opportunities.
Attend Career Fairs
WTAMU normally offers at least one career fair, or internship event per semester. At these career events, many employers are seeking summer interns. If you are an online-only student, then locate local career fairs or events in the area. These career events provide you with an easy way to meet with employers and to learn about internship opportunities. Companies are eager to include college students as yourself as part of their internship programs. At these events, come prepared with your list of companies you wish to visit with. Come up with basic questions to ask after doing your research. Dress to impress. And, do not forget your résumé.
Ask your Social Network
Tell those you know that you are looking for an internship. This might be a relative, such as your dad, aunt, or cousin. It could be a professor, or staff member. Or, it could be a neighbor, friend, or a past employer. Make a list of all the people that you know and ask them about whether they are aware of any internship opportunities. Share your major and career interests, so they can match you with any opportunities.
Rocking your Summer Internship
Once you land your first summer internship with a company, it is your opportunity to shine. When I first got my first summer internship, I was excited, but also a little bit nervous. When you try something different, being nervous is completely natural. To reduce any nerves, one can set one’s mind into being a successful intern. Below are some tips for rocking your summer internship.
Network and Identify a Mentor
Get to know as many staff and workers of the company. This will grow your social network. Learn about them, such as what got them interested in the career. Ask them about what type of duties or responsibilities they do, and what they like about it. Learn about their challenges and how they overcome them. After meeting with several workers, identify at least one mentor whom you can contact for additional questions and support. This person will show you the ropes, help you network with others, and introduce you to the work culture and expectations of the organization.
Observe and Learn
Each day, make sure to observe your surroundings and take good notes. Learn as much as you can about the organization. How do people dress? How do they communicate? What are the daily routines? What occurs during work meetings? What makes this company tick? How does the leader interact with others? What do they expect from employees? What pops out to you? These notes will help you modify and adapt your behaviors so you can perform effectively.
Maintain a Positive Attitude
As a new intern, it is important to maintain a positive attitude and professionalism. During the internship, focus on gratitude. Think about how grateful you feel for the opportunity to learn and meet new people. At the end of each day, reflect on the things you feel grateful for during your internship experience. For instance, you may journal or think to yourself, “Today, I’m grateful that I learned new Excel codes. This will help me in my future job,” or “Today, I met Fred who was very nice to me and who invited me to attend a professional workshop.” Also, practice a growth mindset by being willing to ask questions and by being enthusiastic in learning new things.
Practice Professionalism
Treat your internship as if you were already hired for the job. Pretend that you are one new employee in this organization. Simple behaviors such as showing up on time, dressing up nicely, and smiling make a positive impression. When performing tasks, be consistent, disciplined, and productive. In your everyday interactions, be kind, respectful, and curious. Act as if there is always someone of high status watching you, even if you do not see them. Avoid complaining, gossiping, or using negative language at all costs because this can form a negative impression about you.
Initiate Ideas for a Project
Ask questions about the needs of the company. Companies might need help with organization, data entry, social media management, flyer design, or event planning. Think about your skills and interests, and how you can contribute to this company. Employers will work with you in develop a summer project that you can fulfill during your internship experience. Doing so, will make it easier for you to communicate your new knowledge and skills in your résumé and future job applications.
Ask for Feedback
After completing some tasks, or projects, it’s important to ask for feedback to assess how you are doing in the internship. This will show maturity on your part and also that you are willing to grow and improve from any prior mistakes. Feedback can also inform you on your current strengths as an intern.
Follow Up
After completing your internship, make sure to claim your refined skills in your résumé. It’s a good idea to follow up and ask for a general letter of recommendation to put it in your job portfolio for future opportunities. Also, keep the contact information of those whom you met at the company, for future inquiries. Then, send a thank you note to the employer by thanking them for the opportunity and sharing what you learned and enjoyed about the internship opportunity. This feedback can help the employer improve their internship program in the future. Sometimes employers try to set you up for another internship for the future, or might even offer you a job opportunity upon graduation. Reflect on your experiences and decide whether you wish to pursue this company, or industry. If you are no longer interested in this type of company or industry, try a completely different company or industry. With internships, one can confirm one’s career interests, or be open to try something completely different.