How to Find Internships

Finding a worthwhile internship can seem daunting, indeed. There are several important factors to consider, including field, location, duration, and, of course, pay. The following steps can help reduce your stress while finding an internship well suited to your needs.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Word-processor

Instructions

1. Determine your internship goals by answering who, what, where, when and why: WHO would you like an internship with? If you have no particular company or organization in mind, then WHAT field are you interested in? WHERE, geographically, would you like the internship (locally, overseas)? WHEN do you want this internship? WHY are you seeking an internship (for college credit, to develop skills, to explore new fields)?

2. Decide whether you can consider both paid and non-paid positions. Considering un-paid internships offers more opportunities, but you need to be able to afford this option.

3. Brush up on your cover-letter, resume and interview skills. (See "How to Write a Cover-Letter," "How to Write a Resume" and "How to Prepare for an Interview" under Related eHows.)

4. Find internship positions. Check your school career services or guidance center and academic departments. Talk to professors, friends and coworkers. Go to local job, internship and career fairs. Visit online job and internship websites (see Resources below). Contact companies and organizations directly to inquire about position availability.

5. Keep track of your findings. Record internship positions of interest to you, noting the following information: company or organization, position title and general description, location, start and end dates, hours, compensation and any position requirements. If possible, speak with potential supervisors, coworkers and fellow interns.

6. Compare your options. Apply for several of your top choices.

7. Follow through with the companies and organizations with whom you have applied via phone calls, notes or formal emails.

8. Commit yourself to learning and to having fun. This attitude will make any internship valuable and worthwhile.

Tips & Warnings

• Start researching internship positions well in advance. The wait-time can range from 2 weeks to 2 years.

• Project a professional image at your interview. For more interview tips, see the related eHow article, "How to Prepare for an Interview."

• Fore more details on following-up applications and interviews, see these related eHow articles: "How to Write a Follow-Up Letter" and "How to Properly Follow Up After a Job Interview."

• Stay positive and open-minded. Use this opportunity to entertain a variety of options.

• Make sure you meet all necessary position requirements and can handle the position duties before applying for and accepting any internship. Employers do not appreciate deception, and more qualified position candidates may have been turned away.

• If you accept an overseas position, make sure you have plenty of time to prepare things such as your Visa, transportation and housing.

Resources

• Use Monstertrak as an online job and internship resource.
• Jobs, internship positions and career advice offered through AOL.
• Post your resume on Careerbuilder.com.
• Find internships on Internjobs.com.
• Quintessential Careers guides for internship and job seekers.
• Idealist.org links you to nonprofit organization positions.