Are you still looking for an internship for the summer? Finding an internship in a short period isn’t that easy. Whether you have been searching and haven’t found a good fit yet, or are just starting to explore your career opportunities, here are a few things you can do to get a quick head start:
- Follow employers you want to work for and set up networking chats
Follow employers and companies you want to work for on LinkedIn and Handshake, this can help you get updated on all their latest applications and deadlines. This will help you get a head start on applying to relevant opportunities and ensure you don’t miss the application deadlines.
- Get help from other students, alumni, and the Knowlton Center
This one is the most important! Make an appointment with a career coach at the Knowlton Center today! Log in to knowlton.connect and follow the industry page you are interested in. There have interesting jobs updates and tips on a plethora of helpful topics related to all industries. You can also get connected with alumni through Wisr or LinkedIn. Find alumni that work in the industry you are interested in and email them to have a chat. Denison alumni are always willing to help. Even if there isn’t a current opening for you, these conversations help build a network of contacts that may be able to help with future openings. You can also seek help from your classmates and professors. Seniors that have had previous internships in the industry can give valuable advice on their internship search process.
- Explore more employers and cities
Do not be fixated on a particular city or employer, apply for all internships that fit your criteria and are of some interest to you. Branch out with employers and cities, try the networking route first before limiting down the city you want to work in.
- Consider what else you could do for the summer
Not finding an internship in your industry of choice should not put a halt to your wanting to improve your skills this summer. There are many other things that you can do to make your summer worthwhile and add to your resume for future employers. Employers like to see that you’ve had responsibilities outside of the classroom—it doesn’t have to be an internship. Denison offers a variety of summer jobs while letting you stay on campus. All these jobs can help you add many skills and experiences to your resume. Another way you could add to your skills is completing courses of interest on LinkedIn Learning or through Denison Edge. You can also look for volunteer opportunities at a local non-profit organization, or even for part-time jobs during the summer. It is very easy to filter your search on Handshake to help find the kind of internship/job one is looking for.
Finally, remember that it’s never too early to start looking for a future internship! Employers will begin posting internships for next semester a few months in advance. Be sure to be on the lookout for upcoming opportunities and help ensure you get the internship you want.
