What are some ways to get internships?

Your success in achieving an internship depends directly upon your personal creative efforts. <span style="color: black;">Let me share an interesting story about internships: </span> <span style="color: black;">During my daughter's senior year in high school, the highlight of the year (and of the whole high school experience) was to be a several month long internship program. Everyone signed up and indicated the type of internship that they wanted - all except for one girl. This girl wanted to become a doctor and wanted her internship to be with the local EMS unit at the local fire station. So, she talked to the head of the EMS unit and got his approval and made arrangements with the school to create her own internship. Of all of the students about which I heard, she was the one who benefited the most by her internships. My daughter's was definitely not the highlight of her school career. Her first choice fell through and her final assignment was not really what she wanted and did not give her the type of exposure that she had hoped for. This shows that you can create your own internship! Locate a company that fits the parameters of the type of experience and exposure that you are seeking and work with them and the appropriate people in your school to put it in motion. After all, if there is an internship program existing today, anywhere, it had to be created by someone.</span>

Jennifer, good question. When I was in college I had three internships and they were some of my fondest memories in college and really led me to the career that I am in right now. While your school may not have the best resources, there are many other ways to find internships on your own. If you have an idea of what you want kind of internship you want then you have already done 50% of the work. Many companies, agencies, and organizations offer unpaid (some are paid) internships for undergraduate students. These companies post openings and opportunities on their website so be sure to check frequently as companies often just post these without warning. If you can, sign up with your email so that you will be informed when the openings occur.

Your professional network of friends, family, and coworkers can never hurt as well. If you know someone who can help you out or has an "in" with a company, then utilize that advantage. Many companies offer internships through referrals and this is perhaps the easiest way to get your foot in the door. Often if you are a referral, you get to skip the first-second step of the application process. You would be surprised by the amount of people who you know who may be able to help you so I would suggest really thinking about who you know and whether or not they could help you out.

I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck