How to Get Summer Internships
When it comes to getting summer internships, there are usually two classic routes students take to find them. The route most students are familiar with is the standard application process. Another method students use is the utilization of connections and references to try and find internships. In this article, we will review best practices on how to land summer internships.
Method one: Standard applications for summer internships
This involves a written application and an interview process [the sort of process that a college admissions counseling service could help with]. Although the process is very procedural, it’s an efficient way for the program to screen students and for students to apply to multiple summer programs in a timely manner.
Method two: Finding summer internships through connections
These connections often are the student’s parents or other mentor figures such as coaches. The popularity of summer internships increased competition in recent years for high schoolers. Therefore, students should try to use both methods to try and get as many opportunities as possible.
Preparation
As mentioned in other blog posts, the application process of internships is all about deadlines and time management. From figuring out when applications are due to balancing some of the lengthier applications with school-work, students should always be on their toes and make sure that they don’t waste an opportunity due to negligence.
While using connections may feel like a shortcut, it’s an effective way to discover internships that do not get highly publicized. It also helps the student build early networking skills. Sometimes, the internship that a student wants doesn’t even exist yet, but by asking around and shooting off resumes, opportunities may be dug up in unexpected places.
Resume Tips for summer internships experience
Whether it is applying through the standard process or networking, one important thing to getting any summer internship for a student is to make sure that their resume is up-to-date. Doing so not only maximizes the chances of getting a summer internship, but also develops a habit that will be very beneficial in the future when applicants are in college and in the workforce. A college admissions counseling service like Empowerly can also help you understand your resume and application process.
Regardless if a student had to apply, or found it through a connection, the one item that any employer will want to see? Your resume. As a high school student, programs and employers won’t expect multiple huge achievements for its applicants. What they do look for, though, is commitment to whatever extracurriculars the student invests in, and leadership potential in those extracurricular activities.
Final thoughts
There is no right or wrong way to get summer internships. Both applying and finding through a mutual connection require unique skills that students should learn anyway as they pursue a career. In all honesty, mastering both is best! These skills open doors for success heading into the summer and beyond.
In addition, the resume is the key ingredient that ultimately will help the student land an internship. This makes it essential for students to make sure their respective resume is the ideal representation of them as candidates. It may just be one summer, but the process of getting summer internships is a skill-set that is worthwhile. Practice will aid any student in the future.
Madeleine Karydes