What You Need to Know to Get an Internship in Your Chosen Field
After years of toiling towards completing your education, you’ll need to put all you’ve learned to the ultimate test by having to take on an internship in your chosen field. You’ll need to do all this before you can go out to the real world, and it’s a good chance to impress future prospective employers. Sounds easy enough, right? Yes, But how do you secure an internship in your chosen field? How do you ensure that you’ll be at the right place?
Start With Your School Counselor
Most schools partner up with companies and institutions in various fields. If you’ve never heard of any of them before, talking with your school counselor might help you identify potential places to apply. Identify the companies and institutions that best fit your field of study and take advantage of the school’s partnership in securing a spot. It would also be best if you ask your counselor about what to expect and what these companies are most likely looking for in intern candidates.
Chat With Key People about an internship
‘You may know a couple of people in the field and they will most likely know what other options you have for intern applications.’ Get their input in specific companies and institutions that will set expectations and practical impressions of where your best bets are. If you don’t have anyone outside the school you know works within the same field, start with your professors. They will likely give you a good idea where to look.
Attend and Scout Job Fairs
It’s not uncommon for people to think that most companies and institutions are not relevant with their field of study. However, it may surprise you to know that most of them are actually versatile and offers a wide array of job positions that are specifically tailored to specific fields. If you hear about a job fair—whether at school or at your local community center, take time to go and browse through the booths.
Once you’ve identified the where, now what?
When you finally have a list of companies you’re interested to apply as an intern, the next step is to do your homework. Learn as much as you can about the institution you intend to enter and potentially woo to become your employer after graduation. Know their core values, and what they expect from people as well as what people can expect from them. This will give you a better sense of what you’re getting into and become more comfortable and confident of your application.
Know their internship schedules and never cram. What does this mean? If it’s September now, you should be applying for an internship for next autumn or spring. Never expect or push your application within weeks or a month from their intended schedule. This is also a bad idea that will put you in a bad light, therefore potentially jeopardize your chances for acceptance. If you’re able to plan ahead and send in your applications in advance—including completing all their requirements, that will give you a better impression and it says you are ready, and serious about the tasks ahead.
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