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Creating Your Own Internship

  • by tshwaneline,
  • 11 September 2011
  • Posted in Internship

Step one: Identify "good fit" organizations

If you have searched existing internship programs and have not found a good match with your interests, career goals or geographic parameters, don’t despair. Many students are able to create their own internships by using the strategies described below. Important tip: Do not use a single strategy, as following multiple methods will give you a greater chance of success.
Think about the types of work you want to do and what you want to learn – go ahead and dream about where you would “love” to work. You open up a world of possibilities when you expand your sights beyond advertised internship postings and consider the variety of organizations doing work in your field(s) of interest. Here’s how to proceed:  

Network with everyone you know. Over 70% of jobs and internships are found by networking with past employers, family, friends, professional contacts, etc. Talk to your contacts and ask questions to identify people who can potentially help you, suggested questions include:

  • Who do you know that works in the career field, or with the company, that interests me?
  • Do you know someone with a lot of connections…a person who likely knows someone working in the field that interests me? 

If you have a target city, read their newspapers. Is someone starting a program or business that could use an intern? Who are the people involved in issues that appeal to you?  

Browse Internet sites that feature company and industry information. Sites that organize employers by industry are particularly helpful as you can learn about employers whose products and services relate to your interest areas.

Career/Job Fairs are a great place to make contacts and ask questions. Each year several internship and job fairs are held on campus. Information about these events is posted on our home page.

Departmental Resources are often available. Visit your academic department’s web site, or that of any departments that relate to your career goals, to see if your department maintains a listing of internship opportunities.

Step Two: Making Contact

Once you have a list of contacts, you will need to make your "pitch" by calling or e-mailing the person who is in the best position to assist you. Generally, the best contact person within each organization will be the head of the department in which you would like to work. With small businesses or non-profits, you’ll likely need to contact the owner or executive director.

Because you are hoping an organization will want you to work for them, you need to express how you can be helpful to them:

  • Do this by asking if there are any projects that you could assist them with that would allow you to gain experience in your specific interest area.
  • Tip: Don’t start off by asking if they have “internships available.” Your goal in this situation is to acquire any work experience that will provide you with experiential learning. If the company does not have a structured internship program, such a question may shut down the conversation.
  • Your pitch will be stronger if you describe how your skills or knowledge areas relate to the organization’s operation.
  • You can promote the skills you have acquired through coursework: writing, analyzing, research, public speaking and teamwork!
  • If the contact does not have a position available, try to get the name and contact information of someone they know that might have one available.

Click here for a sample e-mail pitch. Keep in mind when you offer "to do project work" or "serve as an intern", the experience will most likely be unpaid. To distinguish the position from volunteer work, you should try to negotiate for learning components (e.g. permission to attend departmental meetings or shadow designated members of the organization).

Step Three: Sending Your CV

The contact will likely request a copy of your CV. Have it ready to send before you make your first call or send your first e-mail message. All follow-up you have with potential internship sites should be prompt to make it easier for the employer to assist you. Plus, a quick response on your part will demonstrate enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Wait a week to follow-up with a phone call. The call will demonstrate assertiveness on your part, and it will allow you to reinforce your interest in working for that organization.

 




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