How to Find an Internship

4-STEP INTERNSHIP SEARCH PROCESS

To begin the internship search process, students should consider their interests and skills to identify opportunities that will align with their education and/or career goals. Using a 4-Step Internship Search Process, students can clarify their goals, prepare their application materials, and find opportunities that will meet educational requirements as well as develop their professional skills to achieve their career goals.

STEP 1: EXPLORE YOUR CAREER GOALS

As you are starting to look for internships and employment opportunities, the first thing you want to do is consider your career goals. A bit of self-exploration will help you identify your interests, skills, strengths and values and find opportunities and career paths that align with them.

Consider questions such as:

• What skills are you interested in developing?
• What population would you like to work with?
• What issues are important to you?
• What industries interest you?

Research information about careers and take an interest assessment on My Next Move and O’Net Online.

You can also take comprehensive interests, personality, and strengths assessments through the Career Development Center.

STEP 2: SEARCH FOR INTERNSHIPS

• Start with the CLA Internship Opportunities list to find internships with organizations who have hosted past College of Liberal Arts students.
• Connect with your department advisor and/or internship faculty for referrals.
• Use the university’s internship and job posting board, CareerLINK and CareerShift, to look for additional opportunities.
• Network with faculty, friends, former coworkers and employers to inquire about any potential opportunities. If there is a specific organization you are really interested in interning or working with, review their website, LinkedIn profile, and job posting page to see if there are people you can connect with and opportunities to apply to.

STEP 3: PREPARE YOUR MATERIALS

A well-written and tailored resume and cover letter is an essential component of the application process. Make sure you are carefully reviewing the internship or job description, identifying key words, and then incorporating those key words into your own documents. Review the videos below to begin developing or editing your own documents. Attend a workshop or make an appointment with one of our Career Advisors to help you develop or review your documents.

List of Action Verbs
Sample Resume and Cover Letter

STEP 4: PREPARE FOR THE INTERVIEW

Interviewing is usually the final step in the internship and job application process. The interview is an opportunity for you to share examples of your skills and experiences, while also evaluating if an organization is a good fit for you. Review the interview preparation video and work through the interview prep workbook below to help you prepare.

How to Prepare for an Interview (video)
Interview Prep Workbook