Landing Internships

You're not alone if you're a young adult on the hunt for an internship. And with the growing competition for internships at top companies (Goldman Sachs takes less than 2% of its applicants), it's easy to feel frustrated or demoralized. But don't let the daunting statistics discourage you.

Here's why you should pursue an internship:

1. Internships are a great way to try out different industries, company sizes, and roles with relatively little risk and time investment. Internships are like a sneak peek into your dream career. Use internships as an opportunity to experiment, start gravitating toward what you might like to do full-time, and leave your comfort zone. For example, if you're curious about sales, why not try it for a few months before diving into a full-time role?
2. Employers are more focused than ever on candidate skills. Gone are the days of hiring based solely on potential. Courses on YouTube, Coursera, and LinkedIn mean more candidates are prepared to hit the ground running. Once on board, doing practical, value-added work complements skills built in the classroom.
3. Landing an internship early in your senior year can be a huge weight off your shoulders. A National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) report noted that 80% of interns received full-time offers. If there is a good match between you and a company, it takes a lot of pressure off you during your senior year. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t continue your conversations and consider other opportunities if you haven’t yet committed, but having an early offer at a firm and for a job that excites you is a stronger position in which to be as you move toward graduation.
4. Put money in your pocket for a well-deserved vacation or to treat yourself after graduation. Fortunately, more firms are paying interns when, in prior years, they may have depended on them for free labor. After some notable lawsuits and the Department of Labor clarifying and restricting the situations where it’s legal for interns to go unpaid, your chances of being paid are higher. Your summer cash stash will surely come in handy.

How do you make it happen?

1. Pitch an internship idea to a company in which you're interested. Don't wait for an internship opening to come to you; pitch one to them. Many companies that might not be in the market for full-time help have the resources to take on interns for a short period. In your research on a company and discussions with its people, perhaps you can recommend something to which you can apply your skills to solve a pain point. That could mean beefing up their social media presence, designing marketing materials or pitch decks, or tackling other wish list items.
2. Tap into your network to open doors to internships. It’s incredibly frustrating to add your resume to the heap of candidates applying for an internship. Even if the internship is posted, identify who you might know at the target company (or who you know who knows someone there), and approach them to learn more about the company, department, and role. Parents, friends, and school alums are the ticket to finding your connection. LinkedIn is the perfect way to identify those relationships. Once connected to an insider, they may be able to advocate for you so that you’re not just another applicant.

It's never too early to start interning. While formal programs may be geared towards rising juniors or seniors, you can take advantage of multiple opportunities throughout your college years. The earlier you start, the better prepared you'll be for a meaningful career.

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