How to Get a Summer Internship?

Now that you've set out to look for a summer internship, here are some tips on how to actually get one. Be pro-active and do your homework; by knowing where to look and how to prepare, you can find a great internship. The opportunities are out there- it's up to you to go out and find them!

Choosing The Right Summer Internship
Think twice before accepting any summer internship that comes your way. Remember that it should be a learning experience meant to prepare you to venture into your future career. Aim at finding an internship that is both relevant to your coursework and rewarding in terms of your personal growth and development. A good internship may not necessarily be financially rewarding. So, it is better to focus on the professional experience you will gain through this internship.

Have Your Resume At Hand
The key to getting the summer internship you want is to be prepared with a resume-a well constructed resume, stating your objective, education, skills, projects and any activities or volunteer work you have had. Read our resume tips to find out how a professional resume should look, and what kind of information it should include.

When To Start?
Most employers start recruiting for summer interns even before the summer vacation sets off. Certainly, you don't want to spend time looking for internship opportunities and getting your resume in shape while you are taking tests. We recommend you begin your search and have your resume ready well before you start your examination period. This way, you will have time to study for your tests and at the same time be ready when opportunity knocks.

Register with Online Recruitment Agencies
Having your resume posted online increases your chances of being selected for a summer internship interview. It is the fastest and easiest means of recruitment in today's job market and you certainly don't want to miss that chance!

Start With Your University/High School
A lot of companies seeking to hire college students for the summer find it effective to post their vacancies through universities. Keep an eye on your department's bulletin boards, campus newsletters, clubs or associations for available openings. Ask your professors whether they know of any summer internships through their colleagues and/or acquaintances. If your university has a career or placement center, pay those guys a visit!

Be Pro-Active
Don't just sit around and wait. A lot of summer jobs are not announced. Keep a directory of all the companies you are interested in interning in and send them your resume with a brief cover letter to introduce yourself. Browse through company websites and get to know more about them and their available vacancies offered to students.

Connect With Your Network
Keep your friends, family and colleagues informed of your plans. Chances are, they will know someone looking for summer intern but don't have the time or budget to advertise it. 

Go Global
If you have plans to travel during the summer or have relatives or friends living abroad, it would be an excellent opportunity if you lay your hands on a summer internship there! You will not only gain hands-on experience in your field but also explore new horizons and get to interact with various people and cultures.

Read Professional, Career-specific Publications
If you are particularly interested in interning in a company related to your field of study (i.e. business, politics, psychology…etc.), stay in touch with industry news, recently established firms and announcements in specific media.

Related Article:
15 Gold Rules for Summer Interns on the Job