Although you might have only just started your summer internship, organizations have begun their hunts for fall interns. Ah, the role of a college internship seeker is never done because you better get your application materials in order once again if you plan to intern this fall. Positions are going fast!
Agatha Lutoborski, a 2009 Syracuse University graduate, expressed students’ apprehensions with taking on fall internships and balancing school but encourages them to learn time management skills to benefit from the “busy time” of the year for most organizations.
“I'm glad I took the fall semester option for several reasons. First, I realized that you don't have to save all your professional development experiences for summer. Your college town could offer some really meaningful opportunities. Take stock of what's there and start calling!” said Lutoborski. “Second, taking a fall internship left the summer open for yet another internship! I'm not going to lie—balancing school and my fall internship was pretty busy. Hopefully a fall internship on your résumé shows you can balance work and multitask like nobody's business!”
I spoke with a number of experts about their advice for scoring a fall internship over the summer:
1. Talk to your friends who are interning this summer. “Discover which companies are busy and provide strong learning opportunities. Before your contacts return to school in the fall, ask for an introduction to a boss or hiring manager. See if you can visit in-person and possibly arrange a face-to-face meeting or informational interview,” said Christine Bolzan, CEO of Graduate Career Coaching.
2. Reach out to your high school and college alumni. “Sharing the same high school or university with an employer can give you a leg up and create a bond. It's a form of school pride and a way to give back to their alma mater. Alumni know the academic background and educational experience you have,” said Lauren Grunstein, co-founder of InternshipRatings.com.
3. Put together a “top five” list. “Since upwards of 80 percent of jobs are found through networking, why not start your intern search where it's most likely to pay off? Get together a list of three to five places you'd like to work and match it against your contacts. The goal is to reach out to at least one person a week, each week during the summer,” said Kelly Giles, social media strategist at OptimalResume.com.
Grace M. Kutney, a career development professional at Lawrence University, adds, “Identify employers that interest you, but have not necessarily posted an internship vacancy. Tailor cover letter and résumé materials for these organizations, but mention in your cover letter that you are writing to be considered for an internship, should one become available.”
4. Do your homework. “No matter how busy you are with summer activities, take the time to research your top companies. There's nothing that impresses recruiters more than someone who shows a real interest in their company and its goals, even for an internship opportunity. Doing your research demonstrates you're engaged with what the company has to offer and that you made an informed decision when you apply,” said Jenny Floren, founder and CEO of Experience.com.
5. Reach out to employers now. “Connecting with employers in the summer regarding a fall internship can keep you top of mind. Even if the employer is not yet filling that position, students can begin building a relationship with the internship coordinator. When selection time comes, students who have interacted with the employer over the summer may be in a better position than those who don't,” said Theresa Maher, Director of Public and Job Seeker Relations at Jobing.com.
6. Keep your applications within a 30-mile radius of your school. “Even if [students] have a flexible class schedule, it is going to be tedious to frequently commute past that point. In addition, many companies only consider applicants within a close distance,” said Meredith Krumenacker, internship coordinator at Schneider Associates.
7. Attend professional and trade organization meetings. “This is where prospective employers tend to congregate and will be impressed with someone who is already in the process of educating themselves about trends and information related to this profession,” said DeAnne Merey, president of D M Public Relations.
8. Become an expert. “Begin to learn everything about your target industry, company and role. Read articles, speak with professors and pick the brains of insiders so you will be able to speak intelligently with your contacts and ask impressive questions,” said Karen Nethersole, Esq., CEO and founder of Full Circle NY.
9. Arrange to come in and work for a few days to show what you can do. "In the office, do not wait to be led around—do what you think is right. Take action without constantly consulting your superior. Showing that you can think on your feet and are confident is very appealing to any business,” said Robert Tuchman, executive vice president of Premiere Corporate.
10. Focus on local start-ups. “We have been interviewing intern candidates all week here at Brazen. You'd be surprised at how many intern opportunities aren't even providing a positive learning experience. One candidate told me that she was handed a clip board and told to do sales...no support. Turns out it was very similar to a pyramid scheme,” said Ryan Paugh, community manager of Brazen Careerist. “You're not going to run into that problem at a start-up. The economy isn't great right now, and we're happy to have energetic young people around who are eager to learn the trade.”
11. As always, check your online presence. “Rest assured that HR or your hiring manager will be checking you out on the Web. Be sure you don’t have discriminating photos or comments. They not only have several other interns to choose from, but also you don’t want to ruin your reputation in a field you want to succeed in later,” said Robin Owens-Wright of New Media Hire.
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