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How do you use your network to get good internships?
How do you use your network to get a good internships?
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8 answers
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Julia:
Have you networked with your professors back at your college? The professors can provide you with professional contacts and information on companies in need of college students and graduates. They can also provide a list of alumni who you can reach out to for internships and full-time employment opportunities. Another great resource for information is a student organization that is primarily focused for college students and graduates with your major.
Colleges and universities offer career placement assistance via the Career Service Center. At the Career Service Center, there are resources available to assist with resume format, style and flow; interview workshops; job searches and job fairs; internships; research information for company profiles and points of contact; networking, etc.
Networking is the means to communicate with professionals in various fields to learn more about them, their professions, their industries, etc. It is a way to share information, ideas and other contacts. Networking includes building resources that you can rely upon or refer others to.
Network ... Network ... Network ... the more people who know that you are looking to purse internships and career opportunities ... the better your chances of learning more about the industry that you are interested in, getting hired, etc. Sometimes it is not what you know, but who you know. Also, family, friends, high school teachers, college professors and staff may know of contacts in the industry that you want to get into, so ask them as well.
LinkedIn is a great platform to connect with professionals across various industries, related or not related to your own field. One can search and view a company's profile, available open positions, professional profiles, etc. Within the news feed, one can view postings and announcements from other professionals.
With LinkedIn, members can send InMails to directly to each other without being connected to one another. Professionals who are directly connected to each other can send regular LinkedIn messages to each other. Professionals who pay for the premium service on LinkedIn have access to the InMail service feature.
Directly from LinkedIn Help:
"InMail messages is a premium feature, and it allows you to directly message another LinkedIn member that you're not connected to. If you have a Basic (free) account, then you can only directly message LinkedIn members that you’re connected to. You must upgrade to a Premium account to use InMail messages. You can’t message a member if they’ve chosen not to receive InMail messages in their message preferences settings. You’re allotted a specific number of InMail message credits based on your subscription type. You can find the number of InMail message credits you have from your My Premium page."
"Premium InMail message credits can't be used to send InMail messages on Sales Navigator or LinkedIn Recruiter."
According to ConsumersAdvocate.org, here are the best hiring websites:
- ZipRecruiter
- CareerBuilder
- LinkedIn
- Monster
- FlexJobs
https://www.consumersadvocate.org/job-search-sites/lp/best-hiring-websites
Here are other hiring websites to consider:
- Indeed
- Simply Hired
- Glassdoor
- Dice
When applying for a position, a checklist is good to go by:
- Research what the position entails
- Look at the job description and see where your background, skills, etc. matches what is required
- Research what the salary ranges are for the position
- Years of experience needed for the position
- Check out the company's website
Hope this helps and best wishes for your college years and your search for internships and full-time career opportunities!
Have you networked with your professors back at your college? The professors can provide you with professional contacts and information on companies in need of college students and graduates. They can also provide a list of alumni who you can reach out to for internships and full-time employment opportunities. Another great resource for information is a student organization that is primarily focused for college students and graduates with your major.
Colleges and universities offer career placement assistance via the Career Service Center. At the Career Service Center, there are resources available to assist with resume format, style and flow; interview workshops; job searches and job fairs; internships; research information for company profiles and points of contact; networking, etc.
Networking is the means to communicate with professionals in various fields to learn more about them, their professions, their industries, etc. It is a way to share information, ideas and other contacts. Networking includes building resources that you can rely upon or refer others to.
Network ... Network ... Network ... the more people who know that you are looking to purse internships and career opportunities ... the better your chances of learning more about the industry that you are interested in, getting hired, etc. Sometimes it is not what you know, but who you know. Also, family, friends, high school teachers, college professors and staff may know of contacts in the industry that you want to get into, so ask them as well.
LinkedIn is a great platform to connect with professionals across various industries, related or not related to your own field. One can search and view a company's profile, available open positions, professional profiles, etc. Within the news feed, one can view postings and announcements from other professionals.
With LinkedIn, members can send InMails to directly to each other without being connected to one another. Professionals who are directly connected to each other can send regular LinkedIn messages to each other. Professionals who pay for the premium service on LinkedIn have access to the InMail service feature.
Directly from LinkedIn Help:
"InMail messages is a premium feature, and it allows you to directly message another LinkedIn member that you're not connected to. If you have a Basic (free) account, then you can only directly message LinkedIn members that you’re connected to. You must upgrade to a Premium account to use InMail messages. You can’t message a member if they’ve chosen not to receive InMail messages in their message preferences settings. You’re allotted a specific number of InMail message credits based on your subscription type. You can find the number of InMail message credits you have from your My Premium page."
"Premium InMail message credits can't be used to send InMail messages on Sales Navigator or LinkedIn Recruiter."
According to ConsumersAdvocate.org, here are the best hiring websites:
- ZipRecruiter
- CareerBuilder
- Monster
- FlexJobs
https://www.consumersadvocate.org/job-search-sites/lp/best-hiring-websites
Here are other hiring websites to consider:
- Indeed
- Simply Hired
- Glassdoor
- Dice
When applying for a position, a checklist is good to go by:
- Research what the position entails
- Look at the job description and see where your background, skills, etc. matches what is required
- Research what the salary ranges are for the position
- Years of experience needed for the position
- Check out the company's website
Hope this helps and best wishes for your college years and your search for internships and full-time career opportunities!
Updated
James’s Answer
There have been some excellent ideas shared. I'd like to emphasize that sharing your aspirations with your friends and colleagues can make it easier for them to assist you. Let them know your current pursuits, the skills you wish to acquire, your areas of study, and your short-term and long-term objectives.
Crafting a brief 1-2 minute summary of your career trajectory and future goals can be beneficial. It can trigger some thoughts and link you to potential opportunities.
Crafting a brief 1-2 minute summary of your career trajectory and future goals can be beneficial. It can trigger some thoughts and link you to potential opportunities.
Updated
Julie’s Answer
Networking can be incredibly useful when looking for an internship. I recommend always asking your contact to introduce you to someone else in their network at the end of your call/coffee/etc. It creates a wonderful chain of connections, which enables you to meet more people and find more opportunities.
Updated
Seni’s Answer
You can ask your network if they their companies are looking for internships opportunities, and people will always respond by providing tips or by giving you an intern position.
Thanks and good luck!
Thanks and good luck!
Updated
Jasmine’s Answer
Use high school or university resources (teachers, counselors, etc.)
Talk to local businesses for short-term employment opportunities
Use your own network to reach out to their respective networks to make connections
Use recreational memberships (gym, sporting activities, etc.)
- From Cloudera New Hires group
Talk to local businesses for short-term employment opportunities
Use your own network to reach out to their respective networks to make connections
Use recreational memberships (gym, sporting activities, etc.)
- From Cloudera New Hires group
Updated
Holly’s Answer
Hello Julia! Embracing networking can be a powerful tool to broaden your horizons and strengthen your professional portfolio as a newcomer in the field. One of the best pieces of advice I can share is to always maintain an open mind! It's perfectly fine to have a clear career objective as a young professional, but remember, there are countless paths leading to your ultimate goal. So, when you're networking and exploring opportunities, don't hesitate to step out of your comfort zone. Often, these bold steps lead to valuable lessons that will contribute to your future success.
Having a diverse network, which could include your parents' acquaintances, family members, or former colleagues who have ventured into various fields, can be hugely beneficial. Engage with as many of them as you can! You'd be surprised where a casual conversation can take you. Consider setting up a brief chat or a coffee meeting with them. Just remember to have a natural conversation, but also come prepared with some questions.
If you find yourself leaving the conversation feeling inspired and enthusiastic, don't hesitate to ask them for assistance in finding an internship or a starting position. Networking can open doors to incredible opportunities!
Having a diverse network, which could include your parents' acquaintances, family members, or former colleagues who have ventured into various fields, can be hugely beneficial. Engage with as many of them as you can! You'd be surprised where a casual conversation can take you. Consider setting up a brief chat or a coffee meeting with them. Just remember to have a natural conversation, but also come prepared with some questions.
If you find yourself leaving the conversation feeling inspired and enthusiastic, don't hesitate to ask them for assistance in finding an internship or a starting position. Networking can open doors to incredible opportunities!
Updated
Kelcie’s Answer
Hi Julia!
Excellent question - in addition to the great advice that Holly and Michael have shared, I would also encourage you to consider expanding your network by joining campus organizations and clubs, or even attending conferences associated with your areas of interest. Many conferences accept student volunteers to do tasks like help with booth and room setup/breakdown, picking up lunch or coffee, etc. and then allow you to participate in conference activities outside of your shift time for free. I did this during college and graduate school, and actually landed my first internship after an on-the-spot interview with someone I met in the expo hall during the conference where I volunteered!
LinkedIn is an excellent tool for maintaining connections after events like conferences, or to stay connected with folks you've worked with on class projects or in campus organizations or clubs, so I would encourage you to create and maintain an updated and professional profile if you haven't already done so. Keeping your LinkedIn page and resume updated will help you move quickly when an internship you're interested in does pop up, and LinkedIn will also allow you to request and capture feedback about your performance and working style (could be from classmates, former professors, etc) which will help you stand out among other applicants.
I hope this helps! Best of luck with the internship search, and happy networking!
Excellent question - in addition to the great advice that Holly and Michael have shared, I would also encourage you to consider expanding your network by joining campus organizations and clubs, or even attending conferences associated with your areas of interest. Many conferences accept student volunteers to do tasks like help with booth and room setup/breakdown, picking up lunch or coffee, etc. and then allow you to participate in conference activities outside of your shift time for free. I did this during college and graduate school, and actually landed my first internship after an on-the-spot interview with someone I met in the expo hall during the conference where I volunteered!
LinkedIn is an excellent tool for maintaining connections after events like conferences, or to stay connected with folks you've worked with on class projects or in campus organizations or clubs, so I would encourage you to create and maintain an updated and professional profile if you haven't already done so. Keeping your LinkedIn page and resume updated will help you move quickly when an internship you're interested in does pop up, and LinkedIn will also allow you to request and capture feedback about your performance and working style (could be from classmates, former professors, etc) which will help you stand out among other applicants.
I hope this helps! Best of luck with the internship search, and happy networking!
Updated
Michael’s Answer
In addition to what Holly shared, you can also use tools like LinkedIn to network and connect with many people.
Feel free to reach out to people and request to be a connection as that will lead you to others. It's a great way to build a network in your interested field.
Follow these individuals and like and comment on the articles they share.
You will also find a way to see what careers are available at their company and ask for recommendations and advice.
Be sure to display a professional photo and details about your experience and your interests. Good luck!
Feel free to reach out to people and request to be a connection as that will lead you to others. It's a great way to build a network in your interested field.
Follow these individuals and like and comment on the articles they share.
You will also find a way to see what careers are available at their company and ask for recommendations and advice.
Be sure to display a professional photo and details about your experience and your interests. Good luck!