Tips to Help You Land an Internship
It can definitely be daunting to log into your LinkedIn to see numerous posts on your network feed stating, “I am pleased to announce I have accepted a position at XYZ company for Summer ‘XX.” If it makes you feel any better, I also was once in a similar predicament as an underclassmen student, simply questioning and wondering how my peers at other nationally renowned universities were landing big-name roles, or any internship positions to begin with.
As someone who has been grateful for every opportunity I have received, I am more than happy to present my perspective to help you with your career journey, whether this is your first or next big opportunity. However, please take this with a grain of salt, as this is not a solidified or guaranteed way to get an internship. This worked for me, but it might not work for you, so I advise you to keep an open mind and learn something new!
Tip #1: Network, network, network! You can find potential mentors who can take you much farther than if you did not have such guidance in the first place.
I recall once being told that “my network is my net worth.” While this statement has some truth to it, it underscores the overall significance of being able to find meaningful connections in industry (e.g., tech, finance, consulting, government), with your university-aged peers—see this article. In my experience, there have been times when I had to rely on people within my LinkedIn network to ask questions, conduct informational interviews about their career, and even convey interest in a role at their company with the hopes of also interning there too—check out this link from Yale University.
It really helps a lot to connect with alumni from your high school and university, as this audience typically is open to helping others (YOU) who have been in a similar position as them. If possible, it is important to develop mentor-mentee relationships with alumni or professionals who are in your dream role, as they are more likely to help you than if you were to connect with them on a one-time basis. To increase your chances of creating a mentor-mentee relationship, I highly advise keeping in touch with your potential working professional mentor periodically and catching up whenever you can. It also helps to know what you both have in common. Perhaps, you were in the same sorority or fraternity as your potential mentor, or they were part of the same club at the same university as you. Either way, having that common link is imperative to strengthening your connection with your mentor. Even though I have been ignored or ghosted by people I reach out to, I try not to let that deter me on my journey to network and meet with people in my dream profession.
Tip #2: Consider finding and applying for early insight and conference programs at larger companies
If you are interested in working for a large, well-established company, specifically within tech, finance, management consulting, consumer goods, or other similar industries, then this tip is geared toward you.
Based on my experience, I am aware that a lot of companies tend to hold early insight programs and events for first and second-year undergraduate students, which can make you a priority candidate for internships and full-time opportunities down the road. Such notable examples are JP Morgan Chase & Co.’s Career EdYOU Academy, Goldman Sachs’ Virtual Insight Series, IBM Accelerate, Expedition EY, PwC’s Explore program, Google’s BOLD Immersion, and Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) programs, PwC’s Women’s Consulting Experience, and Cisco’s Emerging Talent Mentorship Program—links provided if available.
Not a first or second-year student? There are still opportunities for you out there, such as conferences or camps that can still lead to an internship (e.g., P&G Standout Emerging Leaders Camp), or rotational programs (e.g., LinkedIn Global Business Organization internship, which could lead to you being part of their Business Leadership full-time sales rotational program).
Overall, I highly emphasize this tip, as such programs will not only help you get your foot in the door but also will allow you the opportunity to network much easier.
Tip #3: Start early with getting your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn set up as part of your professional portfolio
Nowadays, most organizations will ask for your resume (see this resource on Menti), cover letter, and LinkedIn profile to verify your qualification for their programs. As such, the earlier you start forming all of these critical items, the better opportunity you have at establishing your brand and putting yourself out there. This tip is especially crucial, as it makes your career development journey a much smoother ride from the get-go if you have the foundation (your professional portfolio) established.
Tip #4: Go as you grow! Enjoy the journey, learn from the setbacks, and keep your head up for success.
For this final tip, it is important to highlight that everyone’s journey will look different. As mentioned before, my journey might not look like yours but do not feel discouraged in any way when things do not go as planned. If anything, remember that you took the initiative (the “shot”) to go for what you wanted, so you did not completely miss it—kudos if you get this Wayne Gretzky quote reference! If anything, that says a lot about your character and shows that you are determined to pursue an opportunity, though it is not guaranteed for you in the first place.
With each trial that life throws us, we learn from the trials and tribulations in order to achieve gold and glory. Hence, while the journey might not be straightforward, having the discipline, determination, and tenacity to pursue your personal and professional dreams will put you far in life. Definitely keep your head up and do not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. As they say, you never know where your next opportunity in life could come from—this is the beauty of becoming an early career professional.
