Internships

A Critical Career Resource

We have all heard of internships but many people do not realize the extent that internships can accelerate their career development.  You can break into almost any field, in any industry, by just doing an internship or two; do three and you will really stand out! Even if you are making a career transition and are 55 years old, internships can still be a key part of your strategy.

Most people think internships are unpaid and some are.  But it really depends on the industry and job market.  Most internships actually pay $8-15 per hour; however some very competitive industries do not pay because they don’t have to. Regardless of pay, internships can last for 2-6 months. Yet this short time works wonders for your resume!  Internships give you the skills, knowledge, and contacts you will need to break into any field.

How do you get internships? There are a few ways.  The first and most obvious is to visit the career center to look at internship books and online listings.  The second way is to decide where you want to work and call the employer’s main line to ask for their internship coordinator.  If they do not have one, ask for the Department Director in a department that you want to work for.  So you might ask for the “Director of Marketing,” or the “person in charge of Promotions,” or the “person who handles Fundraising or Grant Writing.” It just depends on what you are most interested in doing. You may also want to ask anyone you know such as friends, family, and faculty what contacts they have related to your interests.

How do I make the most of my Internship? By being a sponge for everything you encounter or are exposed to in your new position. Treat it like a full-time job! Learn as much as you possibly can and ask questions. Interview people on their lunch hours within the organization, or meet for coffee. Try to make friends, they make great future contacts!  And lastly, ask for extra projects and tasks to do when you are caught up.  This will lead to possible full-time employment and/or great references for the future.

How can I find out more about Internships?  First develop a basic resume so you can meet with a Career Counselor to discuss your career goals.  If you need samples, stop by Career Services or email one of our staff members. 

More Resources:

Books in the Career Center:

  • Internship Bible — ISBN 0-375-76398-8
  • Internships in International Affairs-Career Education Inst.
  • Internships @ Multimedia & Animation Studios
  • Internships in New Media — ISBN 1-58965-008-5
  • Internships with Ad Agencies-Career Education Inst.
  • Peterson's Internships 22 nd Edition — ISBN 0-7689-0697-0
  • Peterson's Internships 21 st Edition — ISBN 0-7689-0402-1
  • The Best 109 Internships 9th Edition — ISBN 0-375-76319
  • Vault Guide to Top Internships — ISBN 1-58131-361-6
Feedback Form