Find an internship

Obtaining an internship is competitive and finding one may take a day or up to several months. Some organizations have deadlines four to five months or more prior to the start date of the internship. Others review applicants and make offers one to two weeks before the start date. To have the most options, start your search early and don’t stop applying for internships until you’ve accepted a position.

Step 1: Identify careers or organizations of interest

Identifying organizations that support causes you believe in, make quality products you purchase, or provide services of interest to you is a good way to start. The more knowledge and enthusiasm you have about an organization, the more you’ll impress them.

Step 2: Search for leads

• Search Handshake for postings and on-campus interviewing opportunities
• Connect with internship employers at NAU career events
• Check other job or internship sources such as Indeed.com, Idealist.org, Internships.com or LinkedIn
• Speak with faculty, academic advisors and internship contacts in your department (some have connections with organizations who might be of interest to you)
• Meet with an NAU Career Development advisor to get advice and help with your resume and cover letter, and to practice interview techniques
• Network with friends, family and acquaintances

Step 3: Prepare your application materials

Develop an effective resume and cover letter.

Step 4: Apply

Apply for internship openings and prepare for interviews.

Step 5: Look into options for academic credit

Contact your academic department to learn about earning credit. View details and a list of contacts.

Or, create your own internship!

It is also possible to create your own internship by contacting employers in your field of interest and describing your qualifications, interests and how you can contribute to their success. Descriptions of existing internships are helpful to frame your discussion with a possible internship host. Focus on the advantages to the organization in adding an intern, such as having an extra person to assist with projects, offer fresh perspectives on organizational issues and provide new ideas.

Specifics on how to do this:

• Be sure that your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, and abilities that you will bring to the internship.
• Do not wait until the last minute. You need time to get your resume to the appropriate people.
• Research to create a list of organizations you would like to work for, and be sure they have an area or department that fits your interests. This takes some investigative skills.
• Find the appropriate contact person. You may be able to identify this person through the organization’s website, LinkedIn, family or friends, or by simply calling and asking to speak with someone about setting up an internship.
• When you contact the person, explain specifically why you are interested in their organization, what you want (setting up an internship that will utilize your interest in the _________ field and your strong _________ skills), and what you will bring to the organization, such as new ideas, assistance with current projects, and a willingness to work hard.

Important advice when making your contacts:

• Don’t say, Do you have any internships available?  If they haven’t used interns before, their answer will likely be no.  Instead, describe your desire to work for the organization in terms of setting up a “work experience” to learn more about a specific career field.
• Ask if there are any projects they haven’t had time to tackle, which you could complete while gaining experience in the field.  Share information about your skills or education that might be of interest to them.

For more in-depth information, explore the Career Steps lessons Internships: Finding an internship and Internships: Making the most of your internship.