Ultimate 7 step guide on how to get an internship

Today’s job market is very competitive, one of the things you can do as a college student so that you can hit the ground running in your career is to do an internship. Internships are not just meant to fill your resume; they enable you to gain real experience, apply your classroom knowledge into the real world and start relationships that will be helpful in future. In case you want to explore different fields or have a specific industry in mind, it’s important to know how getting an internship can set you apart come graduation. Finding an internship may seem like a lot of work at first, but it doesn’t have to be. A little prior planning and using the right resources can make applying for internships less stressful than it seems. This guide is designed to help you find an internship that is perfect for your career goals step by step. These tips will assist you in determining which are the best options available, whether you are just beginning or trying to narrow down your search, thus ensuring optimum utilization of time spent at university level.

Pranav Prasad

Student At University of Delhi

What is an internship?

An internship is like a short-term job that lets you enter the professional world and learn what happens in this field or one of its branches. It is similar to an experiment with the knowledge gained from classes on real-life assignments and plans. Internships can involve routine activities, help with certain ongoing projects, or may even require bigger obligations based on the institution and position. Such paths are great ways to discover new careers, gain additional competencies, and create relationships with experts. It provides an invaluable tool so that you will know more about working within a certain industry, thus making better career choices for your future self. Knowing how to get an internship can make this experience even more beneficial, helping you find opportunities that align with your career goals and aspirations.

How to get an internship?

Securing an internship while in college might seem intimidating, but is much more attainable than you may think. If you are a student who is just starting out or if you have had some internship experience in the past, all that matters is that you are proactive and strategic. By networking with professionals to develop a great resume, there is no shortage of ways to make yourself the perfect candidate. We will breakdown the steps in this blog, to help you secure the internship you want and start the pathway to a successful career.

1. Know Your Interests

This means knowing what sectors or fields you are interested in so as to determine how to tailor your job search and application process.

If you’re unsure, explore various industries. Attend workshops, webinars, and talks to learn about different career paths. The goal is to pinpoint areas that genuinely excite you.

2. Develop Your Resume

Top notch relevant coursework, projects and extracurricular activities should be emphasized in your resume. Skills and passion should take center stage if one lacks any work experience at all.

Don’t overlook your involvement in clubs, societies, sports, or volunteer work. These experiences demonstrate teamwork, leadership, and time management skills. Tailor your resume and cover letter for each internship. Use keywords from the job description and focus on what makes you a good fit for that specific role.

3. Use On Campus Resources

Career Services- Most universities have career centers that provide resume reviews, mock interviews, and postings for internships. Maximize your use of them.
Job fairs and Networking Events- Attend different job fairs that are hosted at your college. There are good chances you may meet some recruiters there and also know about internship opportunities.
Network with Professors- Professors usually have connections in the industry where they work which makes it easier for them to give recommendations or even help you get a job.

Try to get a referal as it increases your chance of being selected.

4. Network

Make Relationships- Start making contacts while you are still in school. Reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn, attend seminars, and also take part in online forums that focus on your profession.
Informational Interviews- Try reaching out to graduates or workers within the same profession as yourself for informational interviews regarding their jobs or experiences working with particular companies. Sometimes this can result in internships for one who is still in school as well as a chance for networking purposes.
Use LinkedIn- Always keep your LinkedIn account updated in case someone comes looking for information related to your position of interest. Create meaningful interactions about what you do through online articles; joining groups will allow you to engage with other members helping build mutual connections which may lead to internships.

5. Be Careful With Applications

Apply for various internships (preferably including some small firms where you can gain more internship experience) before personalizing each application by demonstrating strong love for the organizations they work with.

Make use of Multiple Platforms: Here are some of the top platforms for discovering internships:

LinkedIn: Excellent for networking and locating internships that align with your career goals.
Internshala: A widely recognized platform in India providing a diverse assortment of internship opportunities in different areas.
Unstop (previously known as Dare2Compete): Concentrates on internships as well as competitions mostly carried out by big and renowned companies.
Indeed: A comprehensive job search site where internships can be found in nearly all fields.
Glassdoor: Besides finding internships, you can also read reviews from former interns to get an idea about the organizational culture.

6. Prepare For The Interviews

Research the Company: It is essential to analyze the company’s mission statement, values, and recent projects before attending your interview. Doing so demonstrates an interest in them while allowing you to pose pertinent inquiries.
Practice Common Questions: You should prepare for traditional interview questions like “Tell me about yourself” or “Why would you want to work here?” However, remember to captivate those discussing what they are doing now or how past experiences relate to their current job roles.
Be Yourself: It is important to remain genuine. Regular work differences must be well understood because that is what employers want when looking at somebody’s actual character on one’s own spontaneous point of view. Do not lose hope when things are hard; instead just keep pushing through difficult situations maintaining high levels of energy and interest.

7. Keep Trying

Be Resilient: Getting rejected when searching for an internship is quite normal. If you happen to fail in obtaining any internships don’t lose hope as it serves as encouraging assistance, working on each encounter, changing the application strategy and sending applications again. Ultimately persistence does pay off.
Ask For Advice: In case there was no successful selection process, do not shy away from asking for some advice to improve your future software. Analyzing possibilities of growth can help in subsequent submissions to other organizations.

Extra Tips

1. Cold Emails
It would be best not to sit until opportunities; instead, make time for them by generating deep interest on the kind of company you want to work with. The personalized cold email should emphasize your skills, admiration towards the company and how they would benefit from you.

To stay on your toes: When no response comes forth, it’s also right to send another follow up note after a week or so because persistence pays off.

2. Look out for Government Internships
Public Sector Possibilities: There are several government agencies that deliver internships providing invaluable experiences involved with aspects such as public policy, research or administration. Interns get an education structure in most cases plus project involvement.
The Process of Application: Always check official government websites or portals like Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for internship listings.

3. Do it with NoticeBard
Keep yourself updated: NoticeBard is among the best platforms that give the available opportunities such as internships, scholarships and workshops by collecting them at one place. You will certainly discover many internships through this site alone.

4. Check Out Forage Internships
Virtual Internships: Forage gives you opportunity to be working in the company like JPMorgan, BCG and Accenture for free through their virtual internship program. It has been proved that they will help you develop essential skills and therefore enhance your qualifications.
Flexible Learning: If you are too busy with lectures or other schedules, then this is your chance – where training is self paced and suits your time.

5. Leverage LinkedIn Networking and Job Opportunities
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for finding internships, networking with industry professionals, and staying updated on industry trends. Make sure your profile is polished and up-to-date. Actively engage with professionals, join relevant groups, and follow companies that interest you. Networking on LinkedIn can open doors to internships that might not be advertised elsewhere.

6. Utilize Glassdoor Company Insights and Internship Listings
Glassdoor not only offers a wide range of internship listings but also provides detailed company reviews. These reviews can give you a deeper understanding of the workplace culture, helping you make informed decisions about where to apply. Use Glassdoor to research companies, read employee feedback, and find internships that align with your career goals.

7. Explore Internshala and Indeed Popular Internship Platforms
Internshala is a top platform in India for discovering internships across various fields, from tech to finance. It offers a user-friendly interface where you can filter internships based on your preferences. Indeed, another widely-used platform, allows you to search for internships globally, offering extensive listings across industries. Both platforms are essential tools in your internship search.

About US

At Collegeneeds, we understand that the journey through college can be both exciting and overwhelming. Our mission is to provide you with the resources, guidance, and support you need to navigate this pivotal phase of your life successfully. Whether you’re a prospective student, a current college-goer, or someone looking to enhance their academic journey, we’re here to help you every step of the way.