First-year internships may seem difficult to attain, but there are ways students can find the perfect internship to suit their personal interests.
It’s a common misconception that getting an internship after freshman year of college is impossible. While the internship world is challenging, a first-year internship can be acquired by those who are willing to work for it. Keeping an open mind is key for any first-year student who wants to get involved in an internship. Also, there are useful tactics one can learn that help students land the best internships for their interests.
What to Expect
It most likely will not be paid –
It’s rare for a first-year student to land a paying internship. Getting paid at an internship means the work a student will be doing is advanced and highly specified within the company in which he or she works. Most paying internships are offered to students with more experience in specific fields, who have had more time to study and gain expert education in a subject. These students are usually juniors or seniors in college, and sometimes graduate students as well.
It might not be what you want to do at all
– Interning is a job, and in the workplace, interns have to work their way up in order to do the things they want to do. For example, if you’re a first-year intern at a magazine, don’t expect to be writing lengthy features or conducting high-profile interviews during your first week. Important jobs such as these are reserved for workers who have gained a good, reliable reputation in the field and have usually mastered their craft. Always remember to think of interning as a learning experience – doing small jobs to help around the office, which may seem menial or unimportant at the time, can provide hands-on experience of how a workplace conducts business, and could lead to a higher position in the future.
How to Land an Internship
Search early –
Beginning the internship search early gives students a head-start in a very competitive race. Utilize all accessible resources, such as the university’s career services, personal connections, previous employers, and the Internet. Most internships also have deadlines for applications, depending on the season in which one wants to intern. Search early and make note of these deadlines so there are no missed opportunities.
Make a resume –
First-year students may not have as much to put on a resume as a junior or senior in college, however making a resume to highlight as much experience as possible is always a good tactic. This will show possible employers that the student is professional, serious about what they are studying, and serious about gaining more experience outside of school.
Start local, if possible –
Smaller companies and employers are more likely to hire younger students to help them with anything they need, and knowing the area in which the internship will take place is always a plus. Local employers may also have more hands-on, specific opportunities for interns as compared to employers who are part of larger corporations.
Consider an externship –
Externships are virtual internships that can be completed at a remote location. Students correspond with employers via email, phone and video conferencing, which makes things easy for both the intern and the employer. Externships provide the same experience of working with a company with the flexibility of location and time preference for interns and employers.
