There are thousands of internship opportunities available to college students. The problem a lot of students face however is sorting out the beneficial ones and the “not so great” ones. I can’t sit here and tell you that there is an exact formula for finding the best internship for you because what might work for you may not work for your friend. What I can do here is set up a foundation to help discover necessary tools that could aid you in the search for that “perfect fit” internship.
Number one, start early. Right away students are faced with a problem. Do they take responsibility and start looking for internships right away, or do they put it off because it’s a weekend. Regardless of when you start, it pays to remember that every day you spend not looking and applying for positions, someone else is. I always quote my former wrestling coach in situations like this, “for everyday you are not training hard, your opponent is. And when you meet him in the ring, he is going to win.” Think about it.
Second, think about your career interests. Don’t worry about what fits your major. Instead, focus on what fits you. I can promise that if you find a job where you’re happy and invested, you will find ways to be successful.
Finally, utilize all the tools that are at your disposal. College students have a wide array of weapons to use in the job market war, and it is important that you not only recognize each one, but how to use them as well. Students already have an expansive network to call upon for references or career insights: professors, parents, parent’s friends, friends. The vast majority of universities have writing centers to help students work on their resumes and writing skills. Furthermore, college career centers are a mecca for information regarding this exact topic. They can help you with career fairs, support you with counselors, get in contact with companies looking to hire, and provide you with resources to give you the competitive edge over other applicants.
It is important that you first recognize the need for early job experience. By gaining experience early in life you will require less and less time adjusting to the real world of working. Plus, you’ll have more time to spend impressing your superiors and moving on up the chain.
Questions? Ideas or suggestions? Follow me on twitter @ChrisComella or email me at [email protected]
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