Every year between 1 and 2 million Americans participant in an internship and there’s no denying the value of these experiences. Making professional connections, gaining real-world work experience and learning more about an industry can all help build your career. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) conducted a 2012 Internship & Co-op Survey that shows employers expected to increase intern hiring 8.5 percent. Of the total 2011-12 new college hires, more than 40 percent were predicted to come from employers’ own internship and co-op programs. Competition for internships has become fierce as the percentage of students at four-year universities who participated in at least one internship has doubled since the early 1980s.
In the current economy even unpaid internships can be difficult to land, so take a look at some tips for securing an excellent internship opportunity.
Meet Internship Recruiters in Person
Make it a priority to attend professional gatherings and meet internship recruiters in person. The career services department can help connect you with internship recruiters. The NACE survey states that employers preferred “high touch” recruiting methods including career fairs, on-campus recruiting and on-campus information sessions. Attend these events with a prepared elevator pitch on your skills and interest in the field, and bring high-quality copies of your resume. The survey shows only 1 percent of recruiting budgets were allocated to online networking for recruiting interns. This shows that while maintaining a professional online persona is important, actually getting out and meeting with potential employers is more likely to produce results.
Cold Call Companies and Ask About Internship Opportunities
If there are particular companies where you’re dying to work, don’t be afraid to call and ask about internship opportunities. Steve Jobs got his first job at the age of 12 by calling Bill Hewlett of Hewlett-Packard and asking for some computer parts. There is a fine line between being persistent and being annoying, but in general employers remember and are attracted to candidates who show a passion for the job.
Prepare For Your Internship Interview
Once you’ve landed an interview, prepare extensively for the meeting. Research the company and develop talking points on what value your education and experience can bring to the position. Tailor your resume (link to past post) to emphasize the strengths that are most relevant to the internship. Dress professionally and always follow up promptly with a thank you note. Famous designer Betsey Johnson scored her first freelance contract with Mademoiselle magazine when her hand-drawn thank you note caught the editor’s attention.
Don’t Dismiss Unpaid Internships
The prospect of working for free while attending school can seem like a thankless task. However, you should consider an unpaid internship as an investment in your future. The NACE survey shows the conversion rate for turning interns in to full-time hires has hit an all-time high of 58.6 percent. Even more significant is the finding that after five years, 62.4 percent of hires from an employer’s program were still with the company, compared to just 48.1 percent of those hired externally. Some unpaid internships may also count as college credits, which helps offset the financial challenge.
The benefits of participating in an internship program are incalculable. Along with making professional connections, building skills and gaining experience, sometimes internships allow you to find out what job you don’t want. Working hands-on in a field can change your opinion about a particular position and allow you to shift your focus to another area in the industry. Good luck on your search!
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