How to Secure Your Summer Internship
How to Secure Your Summer Internship
By Justice Dilworth
High school and college students need to get a head start on their career, and the best way to do that is through internships. Approaching a company, business, or person that you’d like to work with can be intimidating, so here are 5 tips for securing the summer internship of your dreams!
- Start early.
Think about how you are competing with tens, if not, hundreds of other students out there for this. The early bird gets the worm!
- Research all that you can about the company.
What services do they offer? Is there a mission statement and values? Be prepared to answer questions related to why you’d want to work for the company. Make sure this is where you want to be!
- Get an email address and send your fiery introduction.
Finding your contact person is a simple scroll through the website, then get ready to send a catchy intro. First, use proper email etiquette and format. This is a make or break for most employers and gives the first impression of who you are professionally. Make sure to attach information about yourself. What should you include? Resume and cover letter for starters plus a writing or project sample if your snazzy.
- Follow up, follow up, follow up.
Business people are busy. They may have added your email to a list of potential interns. Make sure that yours doesn’t get stale by following up every couple of weeks.
- Seal the deal with your phone interview.
The next step if you’re selected is a phone interview. Be calm, personable, and knowledgeable about why you want to be there. Also have a few questions of your own. Communicate that you’re a sponge who is ready to make an impact, and you’re golden!
- Prepare yourself for your internship.
Lay out your plan for the summer. Will this be for class credit? If so, make sure you get your employer the information they need to contact your internship professor. Working students need to set designated hours for your internship and your other priorities.
Most important is to make a good impression. You want to use this experience on your resume and to bolster your own knowledge of your industry. You’ve got this!
