the internship game

As you may or may not know, right when I finished my sophomore year of college, I set out on the hunt for an internship. Not too long ago I interviewed for a non profit organization for their internship program and was finally offered the internship about a week ago. So, I just wanted to talk a little bit about this whole internship game. (okay, maybe i'll talk about it a lot)

Why search for an interview you ask? Well, to be quite honest I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. BUT, after talking to some people and doing a hefty amount of research I knew why I wanted and needed an internship. It's all about learning and experience but in addition to that, it will also help me land the right job after I graduate.

For the past few years, and well into my first two years of college I've only held a meager part-time retail job. My job, by all means, gave me a lot of experience (and continues to do so) but the real question is, "is it the right kind of experience, and is it enough?"

the search
So, first things first. What exactly are you looking for? Do you want an internship specifically tailored for the degree you're pursuing? What skills do you want to gain from a potential internship? In which industry do you see yourself working in? Are you qualified for the internships you're considering? How hands-on do you want your internship to be? What fits your personality, experience, and skill set?

Yeah, there are A LOT of questions you really have to ask yourself before you begin your search. However, keep an open mind but at the same time be realistic. An internship you may think you're under-qualified for may actually be the right one for you. Think about it this way, you really don't lose anything just by searching for these internships. Nobody's judging you here, it's all YOU. Also, be really patient because you could spend hours at a time looking for the right set of internships you want to consider.

Really awesome sources for internships:
internmatch.com (highly recommend this one for ANYONE, plus they have a lot of sources tailored for undergrads looking for internships/entry-level jobs)
indeed.com (really gathers A LOT of results, but be sure to make that search filter your friend)
internships.com (pretty much like a search engine for internships)

the application
Everyone and anyone should have their resume on-hand. I'm sure we've all had a run-in with the careers services department in college and I'm almost positive you've been approached to have your resume reviewed. Take this opportunity to strengthen your resume by having someone else take a good look at it. Highlight your relevant experience as well as your best skills. That being said, NEVER ever ever lie on your resume, because I will promise you it will backfire on you. Just imagine being interviewed and asked about something you completely made up on your resume. now what?

Aside from your resume, another important aspect of the application is your cover letter (or for some internships, may be referred to as a letter of intent). The cover letter is a snapshot of what you can offer as individual and is also a glimpse of what will be elaborated on your resume. Don't make your cover letter too wordy and full of fluff. Your goal is to grab the attention of the reader and give them a reason to consider you as an applicant. Get to the point, be straightforward, and be honest.

here are some useful resources courtesy of Internmatch.com
Resumes
Cover letters

the interview
Once you've submitted your application and are waiting for a response for a potential interview, prepare yourself. I'm not an expert on this, but I did do a lot of research on how to effectively prepare for an interview. So I would suggest to make good use of the wonderful sources that can be found on the web. However, here are some things to keep in mind:
-Do your research (make sure you know a considerable amount of information about who or what you're interviewing for)
-Know your resume well and be ready to talk about yourself
-Be mindful of how you carry yourself (Just be polite and don't be TOO casual)
-Exude professionalism
-Be readily prepared to answer the interviewer's questions
-Take a considerable amount of time to think about your interview attire before the interview (yes, attire is actually a pretty important point to go over)

Here are some tips on interview questions
Also, click here for a quick run-down on interview attire

the wait
Remember when I said to be patient? yeah, that applies here too. Don't expect a response right away after you've completed the application and interview process. It takes a little bit of time.
If you haven't heard from your interviewer for a considerable amount of time, don't be scared to send them an e-mail to check on the status of your application.

Quick tip: Always be professional and polite when sending or responding to e-mails. How you communicate to people through e-mail matters!

I think that just about wraps up my little blurb on internships

Good luck on your internship search!