7 answers
Levent
Student
Melbourne, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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How do I find an internship or job as a college Junior?
Help finding the job
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7 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Levent before you start your search, think about the type of internship you want to pursue. If you have a specific job position in mind, look for an internship within that role’s industry. Since internships provide hands-on experience, you’ll be able to develop the specific skills necessary for your chosen position. If you do not have a specific role or career path in mind, think about your interests and the type of work you enjoy. Internships can allow you to test a variety of fields to determine which one fits you best. Once you have your goals and interests outlined, you can then focus on the types of companies where you want to work.
🌐 LINKENDIN
Not only should you use LinkedIn to hunt for internships, you should build a fleshed-out profile and reach out to everyone you know.
To search for internship listings, go to the jobs tab at the top of the page and put “internship” in the search box. Then refine your search by filling in the boxes on the left side of the page. One downside: You can’t filter for paid or unpaid positions. The most valuable aspect of LinkedIn: instantly seeing which of your contacts works at a company or knows people who work there. I also recommend college students get their parents to search their own LinkedIn networks for contacts. Companies pay varying rates to list internships, so they are serious about hiring for many of those jobs.
🎓 CAMPUS CAREER CENTER
If you’re a college student, check with your school's career center to see if they can connect you with internship opportunities. Often, schools work with both companies and alumni to help students find mentors, internships and contacts related to their career paths. Local career centers are another option, especially if you are no longer a student. They can point you to available internships and also provide career advice to help you find jobs that best match your qualifications and needs. They can even help you prepare for the application process by performing mock interviews or offering feedback on your resume.
🧭 CAREER FAIRS
Local job or internship fairs are a great way to find opportunities and network with potential employers. Prepare an elevator pitch—a brief introduction of yourself—to highlight your value as an intern. You should also print out multiple copies of your resume to have on hand. Meeting and talking with company representatives in person can give you an idea of whether the company is a good fit.
💡 VOLUNTEERING
While searching for your first internship, you could also try volunteering with an organization (political, charity, or a special interest group) that you admire and feel inspired by. This is a great way to build experience, develop skills relevant to your target role, and grow your network of contacts.
🌐 LINKENDIN
Not only should you use LinkedIn to hunt for internships, you should build a fleshed-out profile and reach out to everyone you know.
To search for internship listings, go to the jobs tab at the top of the page and put “internship” in the search box. Then refine your search by filling in the boxes on the left side of the page. One downside: You can’t filter for paid or unpaid positions. The most valuable aspect of LinkedIn: instantly seeing which of your contacts works at a company or knows people who work there. I also recommend college students get their parents to search their own LinkedIn networks for contacts. Companies pay varying rates to list internships, so they are serious about hiring for many of those jobs.
🎓 CAMPUS CAREER CENTER
If you’re a college student, check with your school's career center to see if they can connect you with internship opportunities. Often, schools work with both companies and alumni to help students find mentors, internships and contacts related to their career paths. Local career centers are another option, especially if you are no longer a student. They can point you to available internships and also provide career advice to help you find jobs that best match your qualifications and needs. They can even help you prepare for the application process by performing mock interviews or offering feedback on your resume.
🧭 CAREER FAIRS
Local job or internship fairs are a great way to find opportunities and network with potential employers. Prepare an elevator pitch—a brief introduction of yourself—to highlight your value as an intern. You should also print out multiple copies of your resume to have on hand. Meeting and talking with company representatives in person can give you an idea of whether the company is a good fit.
💡 VOLUNTEERING
While searching for your first internship, you could also try volunteering with an organization (political, charity, or a special interest group) that you admire and feel inspired by. This is a great way to build experience, develop skills relevant to your target role, and grow your network of contacts.
Thank You Paul. It is not enough to be compassionate. We must act.
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
745
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Many colleges and universities have employment and job centers, on campus, who might be able to assist you in finding an internship.
Also, the department, which has your major on campus, usually have bulletin boards which advertise for internships.
Also, do not forget local state job centers, which are usually located at various places around town. They also have announcements for internships from a large diversity of employers.
Also, the department, which has your major on campus, usually have bulletin boards which advertise for internships.
Also, do not forget local state job centers, which are usually located at various places around town. They also have announcements for internships from a large diversity of employers.
Julia Macalaster
Product Manager
2
Answers
Stowe, Vermont
Updated
Julia’s Answer
Great answers so far. What I would add is that it's always more successful to be targeted in your approach than to "spray and pray". What I mean by this is that it's typically not worthwhile to just hit "submit resume" to every single job you see. Instead, research the companies that really excite you, dive deep into knowing more about those companies and the roles that are offered, (as mentioned above) leverage your networks to find people at the company that will connect with you for a mentor session, and then finally apply (hopefully through a referral from the person you connected with). This will bring your resume to the top of the stack and make you stand out in the interviews as well.
Gayatri Shenai
9
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Gayatri’s Answer
The responses provided so far are great. To add to them, I would suggest not to shy away from networking. Engage in conversations with people you know, learn about their projects, and explore how your skills could be utilized in their organizations. Seek advice and discuss how your abilities could align with their needs. This approach will showcase your interest and suitability, prompting them to offer suggestions, connections, and even assistance that could be beneficial. It will also encourage them to help you overcome any challenges you might face.
Ruishan (Sonny) Yu
Technical Program Manager
2
Answers
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Updated
Ruishan (Sonny)’s Answer
Hey there! One of the greatest resources you have at your fingertips is your college's career center. They're there to help you polish up your resume, practice for interviews, and even guide you through college career fairs. Don't forget to tap into your college's alumni network too. You can arrange some virtual or face-to-face coffee chats to broaden your connections.
Consider joining leadership programs that are designed to help students like you transition into the workforce. Here are a few you might find interesting:
1) INROADS - Check them out here: https://inroads.org/
2) MLT - Have a look at their website: https://mlt.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmt24BhDPARIsAJFYKk0F_Jm0yE1VR3tUIOba-XYUcrpPNJcSKxfVAP3dlYLefdmq74jqSJYaAgvkEALw_wcB
3) Yearup - Take a peek at what they offer: https://www.yearup.org/
Remember, these are just a few options. Explore and find what works best for you. Good luck!
Consider joining leadership programs that are designed to help students like you transition into the workforce. Here are a few you might find interesting:
1) INROADS - Check them out here: https://inroads.org/
2) MLT - Have a look at their website: https://mlt.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmt24BhDPARIsAJFYKk0F_Jm0yE1VR3tUIOba-XYUcrpPNJcSKxfVAP3dlYLefdmq74jqSJYaAgvkEALw_wcB
3) Yearup - Take a peek at what they offer: https://www.yearup.org/
Remember, these are just a few options. Explore and find what works best for you. Good luck!
Jami Ibrahim
Career Consultant, Urban Planning, GIS, Resume Writing
22
Answers
Kaduna, Nigeria
Updated
Jami’s Answer
Hi Levent,
Finding an internship or job as a college junior can be a strategic process. Here are some steps you can follow to enhance your chances:
1. Self-Assessment: Understand your career goals, skills, and areas of interest to target relevant internships or job roles. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant coursework, projects, and skills.
2. Network: Reach out to professors, family, friends, and alumni for potential opportunities. Consider setting up informational interviews. Participate in associations related to your field of study. Attend networking events, workshops, and seminars.
3. Leverage Campus Resources: These resources include Career Services and Job Boards. Visit your college’s career center for resume workshops, interview preparation, and job fairs. Also, check your college’s job/internship board for listings curated for students.
4. Utilize Online Platforms: Use sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and Handshake to find internships or jobs tailored to students. You may also follow companies and industry professionals on social networks to find openings.
5. Research Target Companies and New Internship Opportunities: Make a list of companies you’re interested in and visit their websites to check for internship opportunities. Additionally, some companies have formal internship programs; applying to these can be beneficial as they are often well-structured.
6. Prepare for Applications: Write tailored cover letters for each application, demonstrating your interest and suitability for the role. Practice common interview questions and prepare to discuss your experiences and skills.
7. Apply Strategically: Many companies recruit interns at least a semester in advance, so start looking early. Then after submitting applications, follow up politely after a week or two to express continued interest.
8. Stay Organized: Keep a log of where you’ve applied and any correspondence to stay organized. Aim for a specific number of applications each week to maintain momentum.
9. Consider Alternative Paths: If you can’t seem to find the perfect internship, consider volunteering or getting a part-time job that builds skills relevant to your desired career.
10. Continue Building Skills: Consider taking relevant online courses or certifications to enhance your resume and skills. Create personal projects related to your field or contribute to open-source projects to showcase your skills.
All in all, persistence is key in any work or internship search process. Stay positive and adaptable, as finding the right internship or job can take time.
Good luck!
Finding an internship or job as a college junior can be a strategic process. Here are some steps you can follow to enhance your chances:
1. Self-Assessment: Understand your career goals, skills, and areas of interest to target relevant internships or job roles. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant coursework, projects, and skills.
2. Network: Reach out to professors, family, friends, and alumni for potential opportunities. Consider setting up informational interviews. Participate in associations related to your field of study. Attend networking events, workshops, and seminars.
3. Leverage Campus Resources: These resources include Career Services and Job Boards. Visit your college’s career center for resume workshops, interview preparation, and job fairs. Also, check your college’s job/internship board for listings curated for students.
4. Utilize Online Platforms: Use sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and Handshake to find internships or jobs tailored to students. You may also follow companies and industry professionals on social networks to find openings.
5. Research Target Companies and New Internship Opportunities: Make a list of companies you’re interested in and visit their websites to check for internship opportunities. Additionally, some companies have formal internship programs; applying to these can be beneficial as they are often well-structured.
6. Prepare for Applications: Write tailored cover letters for each application, demonstrating your interest and suitability for the role. Practice common interview questions and prepare to discuss your experiences and skills.
7. Apply Strategically: Many companies recruit interns at least a semester in advance, so start looking early. Then after submitting applications, follow up politely after a week or two to express continued interest.
8. Stay Organized: Keep a log of where you’ve applied and any correspondence to stay organized. Aim for a specific number of applications each week to maintain momentum.
9. Consider Alternative Paths: If you can’t seem to find the perfect internship, consider volunteering or getting a part-time job that builds skills relevant to your desired career.
10. Continue Building Skills: Consider taking relevant online courses or certifications to enhance your resume and skills. Create personal projects related to your field or contribute to open-source projects to showcase your skills.
All in all, persistence is key in any work or internship search process. Stay positive and adaptable, as finding the right internship or job can take time.
Good luck!
Ian I. Irungu
Business Development Manager
1
Answer
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Ian’s Answer
Make sure to tap into your alumni network. As a college student, you'll find that seasoned alumni are often eager to join you for casual coffee chats. Use these opportunities to present yourself as someone eager to learn more about their career paths and roles. Remember, it's all about who you know. Don't just depend on sending out applications blindly.