Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Jump-start on Internships

I wanted to do an internship for school credit this fall but didn’t get one. Should I start looking for one for next semester now or wait?

It would be smart to keep looking. Many times, a student doesn’t secure an internship simply because they waited too long to start looking. It’s especially important to start your search early if you are in a competitive field or are looking for an internship in another city. An internship search is nearly identical to any part-time or full-time job search. Check with Career Planning & Development about having your cover letter and resume reviewed and/or doing a mock interview. Network both online and in person (LinkedIn.com is a great start). Talk with faculty and others about what kind of internship you would like and ask if they have any contacts you could reach. Identify any particular companies you would like to intern for and start researching to see if they post internships online or get in touch with a recruiter and inquire about upcoming opportunities. You can also search a number of job/internship databases for opportunities. Schedule a meeting with a staff member in our office to discuss options and to find out where other Drury students have interned in the past. Many employers are impressed when it appears a student is taking initiative and showing a genuine interest in their company or organization. Showing interest now could help you stand out from the crowd.


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