Eva Chen, editor-in-chief of Lucky Magazine, told Huffington Post in 2014 that her advice for young people was to “study what you love and intern in what you love to do.” It seems like universities and employers are in agreement with her. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a student who hasn’t been told how important internships are.
“It adds a lot of hands-on experience. A lot of employers are pushing that experiential learning and the university is pushing that as well. It also helps you to see if that’s something you really want to pursue,” said Emily Dahlin, coordinator of campus relations and student outreach in the Office of Career Development.
But if you’re looking to plunge into the wide world of internships, it can be tricky to figure out where to start. Whether you’re looking for an internship for this summer or just want to be prepared for the moment you are, here are some internship basics.
Where should I look for an internship?
Dahlin said Career Development’s go-to for finding internships is Handshake. This is the database where they store all internship and jobs that come through their office, and the database open to all NSU students. A major benefit to this system is that the office vets each job and internship, so you’ll know it’s legit.
Career Development also hosts a Career and Internship Expo each semester. This semester, the expo will be held April 6. But you have more resources than Career Development.
“[Consider] using your professors and the organizations that you’re involved with,” said Dahlin.
These individuals, especially those who work in the field, may be able to direct you to new openings and positions.
What should I know about the application process?
The application process can seem straightforward, especially if you already have a resume and cover letter. Dahlin said not to rush on submitting an application, though.
“Don’t apply to anything if you haven’t had someone look at those documents [your resume and cover letter]. Those documents represent you,” said Dahlin.
Students should also be strategic about when they apply to an internship.
“You’re on their timeline once you apply,” said Dahlin.
For that reason, students should choose to reach out when they know they’ll be able to work with and respond to the company promptly and effectively.
Should I aim for paid internships and avoid unpaid ones?
The idea of unpaid labor may sound discouraging and daunting. Some sources, like BusinessInsider, have even said that unpaid internships are a mistake. That isn’t always the case. Dahlin said students shouldn’t stray from an internship that goes unpaid because they may get a more valuable experience.
“Open up to both of them. You might get a really great internship experience but you might not get paid for it,” said Dahlin. “The amount of experience that you could get out of it would be more than a paid experience.”
Internships can be stressful when you’re on the hunt, but they can also be a great way to learn about your career field. These tips could make the process of finding an internship a little easier, and once you find one don’t be afraid to chase another.
“Try to get as many internship experiences as you can. The more hands-on experience that you have, the more marketable you can make yourself,” said Dahlin.
For more information on resumes, cover letters and the internship application process, contact the Office of Career Development at 954-262-7201.
