Know what you’re looking for

Finding an internship that fits you and where you are on your career development journey is an important step. Career Works can help you assess which option might be right for you.

Micro Internships

Sometimes called “project-based internships”, micro internships take place over short periods, such as a few weeks, and focus on a single work product. Don’t rule them out just because they’re short. Micro internships teach you important time management skills, give you project-specific experience, demonstrate the work you’re capable of doing, and can be a source of references for future opportunities.

Semester or Summer-Long Internships

Taking place over the course of 10-14 weeks, these are the most common types of internships. You will hold a position in an organization that has ongoing work to which you will contribute, and you may also be accountable for specific projects.

Select a season

Many organizations hire interns during the summer. And it’s a great time to intern - you can work full or part time, depending on what works best for your schedule. But, that’s not the only option!

Some organizations hire part-time interns during the fall and spring, while others look for interns who can work throughout the school year. Consider taking the Duffy Partnerships course to tap into internships in the Beloit area or visit CELEB to get connected with the local business community.

Use strong search techniques

• First, identify your learning goals. Do you want to gain technical skills or soft skills? Maybe you want to see if a specific job is right for you. Or you want a chance to apply your academic skills in a real-world setting. Beginning by identifying your goals makes it easier to refine your search.
• Next, consider where you want your internship to take place. You could intern close to campus or close to home or try on a new city for size. Studying abroad? Wanting to experience a new country and culture? An international student going home? You can search for internships abroad using GoinGlobal. You can access GoinGlobal through Handshake.
• Finally, follow strong job search strategies. Start six months before your intended start date. Conduct a targeted search, narrowing down your options by focusing on a specific region of the world, industry, and/or occupation. Many organizations only use their own websites to post internships, so keep this in mind as you conduct your search.
• Once you find organizations that you like, start applying. You’ll need a strong professional portfolio, most likely a resume and a cover letter. You’ll also need to prepare to interview. Applying for internships during your undergraduate studies is great preparation for applying for post-college jobs.

Create your own internship

Internships are temporary employment. For this reason, many employers will consider bringing someone on for just a summer, even if they aren’t officially hiring. When doing your targeted searching, it’s okay to contact organizations that don’t have internships posted online. Employers are often open to creating something new, if they have the right candidate for projects they’ve put on the back burner. So reach out and convince them!

A volunteer position or a summer job can also be turned into an internship, as long as the focus is on learning. For example, you may be able to work with your supervisor to take on extra responsibilities that connect to your interests and the skills you want to build. When you pair this type of experience with one of our credit-bearing internship courses, you have an opportunity to learn more about your field of interest.

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Questions? Need Help?

Career Works staff can help you search for internships with rich potential for learning.