Learn About Your Internship Options
You can’t deny the value of a good internship in your career search. No matter how strongly you feel about what you think you want to do, it’s a good idea to work in the field for a while to ensure it’s actually what you want to pursue. An internship can really help you narrow down what you are interested in doing for a career, and finding out you may prefer a different path is so much better to do when you have time to change your mind. Many colleges require internships, and they look great on your resume!
However, finding a good internship can be one of the more stressful things a college student has to do. This is no college of yesteryear where internships were not always necessary and very uncommon. It seems these days some students are doing up to four internships during their tenure at school. At the University of Maryland, you can find some great ones, but a lot of the work has to be done on your own. You must be proactive to find the best internships. It’s a good idea to start at the University Career Center. Here there are loads of resources to help you get started, especially if you aren’t sure about the field you’d like to pursue. They have a specific page dedicated to how to find an internship and it’s the perfect place to start.
If you have a contact or know someone who does, you must get your name out there. Never underestimate the power of connection. Many college students compete for a few positions and knowing someone can be the difference between getting an interview or not. A couple of things to consider are whether or not you will get paid for the internship and whether or not you’ll receive credit. These can be key deciding factors when searching. My daughter had a hard time finding a good internship after she completed her first year because many were unpaid and not working for the summer just wasn’t an option for her. She ended up compromising on a two day a week unpaid internship, allowing her to work the other days at her summer job.
Set up a LinkedIn account with a professional head shot. A LinkedIn Jobseeker account allows you to view profiles and send InMail messages starting from $29.95 per month. HaveUHeard that LinkedIn has a version specifically designed for students looking for their first jobs? The LinkedIn Students app is free, and lets you research jobs, view companies where alumni from your school work, and connect with more people. You can create an account and get started right away without spending a dime.
There is some financial help out there to offset costs. Look into scholarship funds to apply for financial help if you can’t find a paid internship. Sometimes you have to be creative to find something worth your while. If you want to receive credit for your internship, be sure to follow all the steps and make sure this is something that you want to commit to. If you do, you’ll have to make sure you have taken the appropriate classes that go along with an internship for credit.
The University of Maryland periodically hosts internship fairs. Be sure to keep an eye on the schedule and participate whenever you can. Make sure you are dressing professionally and putting your best foot forward. You never know who you will meet at one of these events. Making a strong first impression when it comes to dressing is crucial so check out UMD’s recommendations for what to wear. JC Penney, in the past, has held the JCPenney Suit-Up Event for the UMD community which gives exclusive discounts for career dress apparel and shoes with their student ID. Check their calendar to see if they are having it again this year. Students can also get some great outfits by checking some of the thrift stores. Your resume should be up to date. If you need resume help, the Career Center can help with that as well. Remember to be assertive, friendly, and make eye contact! Good luck!
HaveUHeard which companies were selected as the 100 best internship programs in the U.S.? WayUp presents its Top 100. Vault also has its list of the Top 20 Most Prestigious Internship Programs for 2020.
Arianna Powell, Intern
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