Every now and then, console yourself with a pat on the back for grappling with that econ paper. Try to convince yourself that those shirtless guys, constantly tossing around a Frisbee outside your window are, unlike you, going to end up bums. While you're at it, why not further ensure a non-bummy future by finding and securing a summer internship?
Why Get an Internship?
Many students enjoy summer vacation simply for the fact that they have virtually no commitments or obligations for about three months. Whether we decide to get a job, volunteer, travel, party or watch television marathons for hours on end, the choice is ours. Internships are yet another way for students to get the most out of their summers, offering students first-hand experiences that cannot be had inside the classroom. Students can learn that summers are potentially very valuable.
If you know what career you hope to pursue, then an internship in that profession will provide you with unique insight into what may be your future vocational landscape. Doubtless, years down the road, you are likely to regret not having taken full advantage of the opportunity. Do yourself a favor and act now!
If you're interested in a profession that your school doesn't offer as a major, such as communications, fashion, broadcasting or music production, then interning with that profession is your next best bet to learning about that career. This is particularly important to students enrolled in liberal arts colleges that cherish pure academia, and not career-oriented instruction. On the other hand, for those students who are not yet sure of what career to pursue, summer internships are the perfect ways to try something new without having to worry about grades. Moreover, a similar change of heart after graduating from college is very costly.
As an intern, students are surrounded daily by individuals who are actually living the lives that they hope to one day lead. Many companies and programs provide their interns with the opportunity of working under the guidance of influential supervisors who will serve as mentors and future references when you're applying for a job. Through networking with employees, you will gain invaluable advice and insight into the good and, more importantly, the bad aspects of their careers.
A main concern when students are searching for internships is whether or not the internship pays. Depending on what profession the internship encompasses, monetary imbursement varies from large stipends of thousands of dollars, to $10 dollars an hour, to no payment at all. Although no easy feat, creating a schedule that successfully provides you with both a steady income and an opportunity to have fun and learn new things about an interesting profession. Given the workload most of us manage, this shouldn't be as difficult as it may seem. However, keep in mind that the experience, even if unpaid, ultimately pays.
Quick Tips For the Uninitiated:
1. Through the company's Web site
• E-mail the company about any internship opportunities available for the summer. Note that you will most likely need to e-mail, mail, or fax supplementary materials such as a resume, cover letter, recommendations, or other similar documents.
• If you don't get a response e-mail after a week, call the company to follow up.
2. The Career Center
• Set up a meeting with a peer advisor.
• Read the weekly newsletters!
• Contact alumni whose profession correlates to the field of your interest and ask them for internships at their jobs. Alumni are usually very happy to help students of their alma matter by giving them valuable advice, writing recommendations, and networking you with their colleagues.
3. Internship Search Engines
• For starters, try Experience (available through the Career Center's Web site), internships.com, vault.com, Princeton Review and fastweb.com. They offer countless, up-to-date postings on internships in many fields.
Once you have attained an internship, it is important to remember that only you can make the best of your internship. In most cases, the employees at the company are not going to go out of their way to help you or to network because, frankly, they have their own stuff going on. Remember, you may think that because the employees are so wrapped up in their own jobs, they will not notice any negative attitudes or poor performances on your part. Wrong-unfortunately, employees are more likely to tell your boss about anything that you're doing wrong rather than about anything at which you're excelling.
In the end, internships, as do most jobs, require a degree of independence that four years in college are unlikely to provide a sense of. It's up to you to put yourself out there in a positive light. Introduce yourself to whoever is willing to take a few seconds to greet and talk to you. You must have that go-getter attitude, because in the world of internships only the most passionate and dedicated interns come out on top and go on to securing future jobs in that company.
Whether your internship turns out to be a dream or a flop, in the end, a new experience and new friends are (almost) guaranteed. All you need now is to get out there and begin your search!