For those of us who experience trepidation and jitters every time we think about our future, a summer internship can serve as a reminder that it’s time to figure out what we’re doing with our lives. We may cower in fear of it, or ignore it altogether. Either way, it’s the time of year to forget the fear and face the big bad summer internship head on.

Start by evaluating your interests

Make sure to be realistic about your requirements and resources. It is important to consider where you will be living, but don’t let location overshadow the goal of finding an internship that will provide you with an enriching experience. Deciding the field in which you hope to intern will help you narrow your options. For those of you in the humanities, it may be hard to find a paid internship, whereas in the business world that may be the only kind of internship that exists.

According to John Haag, career counselor and internship director at the Career Center, employers don’t really care whether you’ve had internships that are paid or unpaid.

“They’re looking for someone who can do something useful,” said Haag, who has been an internship counselor for 23 years.

Choose the opportunities that are most pertinent to your future. If you are unsure what you want to do in the future, choose an internship that will be engaging and interesting to you. It will hopefully provide you some insight into what you want to pursue.

According to Haag, there are two ways to find an internship.

“One is to react. Apply to existing internships. Everyone should do the reactive method,” said Haag. “However, an extremely untapped opportunity is to propose an internship to an employer. Proposing an internship demonstrates initiative and eliminates competition.”

Get an idea of what kind of internships are out there by using internship search engines like Internships.com, Internmatch.com, Internweb.com and even Craigslist. If you are hoping to find an internship in a particular area, visit the website of a university in that area and use their resources to your benefit.

Utilize your resources

Luckily, university settings like DU recognize students’ need for experience. As a result, the DU Career Center offers an excellent resource for students of all fields hoping to secure a summer internship. Not only can students meet with advisors one-on-one to discuss internship options, the career center website offers internship listings and other internship search engines to help in the search.

The Media, Film, & Journalism Studies School, as well as the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, have specific offices that aid students in finding internships. Korbel’s internship information can be found at online as well.
Don’t forget that your colleagues and professors are resources as well. Ask them if they know of any opportunities. If you know of an organization that you think would benefit from your contribution, contact them directly.

“We provide resources and contacts but we really encourage self-advocacy,” said Jason Thomas, who works in the internship office at the MFJS school.

The Career Center offers eight internship awards each year for unpaid and for-credit internships. Although you’ve missed the deadline for the Career Office’s internship award, the Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences is offering three $3,000 internship awards for for-credit internships that pertain to your major. The deadline  is April 15. You can find this application online.

Buck up and apply

Before applying, make sure your resume is up to date. The Career Center offers resume guidance and will look over your resume to make sure it is done correctly before you apply to internships through their database.

“Learn how to write a resume. Learn how to write an effective, persuasive cover letter,” said Haag.

According to Haag, it is also important to personalize your cover letters. Although you may be applying to numerous internships at once, it is important that each organization you are applying to understands what you have to offer and why you are interested in interning at their particular business.

Make sure there are no grammatical errors in your resume or cover letter, as well as within any email correspondences between you and the organization. Don’t get so caught up in saying the right thing that you forget to accurately portray your personality and passion.

According to Haag, organizations want to know that you care about their objectives.

Follow through

After applying for internships, the nerves may set in. Be sure to follow up with any organizations you apply to. If you interview with a company, send a handwritten thank you note after completing the interview. It will set you apart, and establish your interest in and commitment to that particular opportunity.

Hold your breath and wait

If you huff and puff, you might blow the house down. Be patient. It might take an organization a while to reach you.
If you do receive an internship, make yourself known within the organization. Doing your best at an internship can open up opportunities such as other internships, or even long term jobs. Make sure your contribution is unique, whether it is just a smile as you deliver the coffee or innovative and vital ideas and products.

Outsmart the big bad summer internship. Invest yourself in the search, and you will be more likely to be devoted to the internship you receive. Happy applying!