Getting an Internship

If you remember our last blog, we explained briefly what an internship was, and said that an internship is a time limited work experience position that allows students to explore and gain skills in different professional fields. These experiences offer a genuine work experience to young professionals enhancing their employability and career opportunities.

But what are the requirements? When is the best time to look for one and what are some of these opportunities? Where do I start?

Well, in this article, we answer these questions briefly hoping this information will help you as you pursue your internship opportunities.

So let’s say that you’ve found the perfect job for the summer, it is an internship with a great company and you really, really want it. Before you can apply, you need to meet the requirements.

Below is a list of the most common requirements for this type of position:

• You must be a full-time college student.

• Most internships require that you be a Junior or Senior in College, others just a High School graduate.

• You must have an overall GPA that satisfies the needs of the position.

• You must have a major in one of the field offered, i.e.: all business disciplines, engineering, computer science, chemistry, design, etc.

• You must show proof of eligibility to work in the United States, with few exceptions. • You must meet the deadline for submission.

• You must include a copy or your most recent résumé.

• Some positions may require additional information, like portfolios of schoolwork or specific projects.

There really isn’t a set time to apply for internship. Most companies hiring will hire year round. There are others that will only hire interns for the summer. I guess it all depends. The key is for you to find that perfect internship and the research all about it.

You can start your search by visiting the career center at school. They usually provide all sorts of resources for students. You can also use your network, including teachers, classmates, former employers, etc., and use them as reference when the opportunity comes along.

One thing about internships though, is that they can be paid or unpaid. It’s important to check with the company before you accept a position. It all depends on what your priorities are!

In addition to checking with your career center and your network of contacts, visit the following links to see what internships you may qualify for and explore your options. Visit: http://people.rit.edu/gtfsbi/Symp/mcoop.htm

Or visit http://www.fastweb.com/college-jobs-internships/articles/249-internship-and-mentor-programs-for-hispanic-students for other organizations focusing on providing opportunities for Hispanic students.

I hope this information is valuable to you and can help you land an internship in the next summer or in the next few months. Please feel free to share it with any students who may be looking for internships. Best of luck!