Our student peer advisor, Avery, provided some great suggestions on how students can make the most of the summer break. It takes so many students by surprise that many applications for summer internships open in the fall, especially for large companies and organizations. Some of them even start in August. That’s almost 10 months before the internship starts!
Today I’d like to go over some concrete activities that students can do to prepare for internship recruiting season, so that when you return to campus, you can smoothly transition into applying for these internships.
1. Research companies
Develop your own top companies list to help focus your internship search. I recommend starting with 20-30 companies.
2. Research jobs
Generate your top jobs list by researching job postings and descriptions. Your goal is to have a list of job titles and descriptions that match your personality, strengths, and skills. This is helpful because then you know what job titles to search for when applying for internships.
3. Connect with people
Set up informational interviews with alumni and professionals who work for the companies on your top companies list or in the roles on your top jobs list. A good way to have a clear understanding of the day-to-day tasks of a specific role is to talk to people currently in those roles and learn about what their work looks like day in and day out.
Through the informational interviews you’ll get to ask questions and learn more about the role and the overall company culture. Each organization has its own work culture. Working in a job where a company or organization’s culture aligns with your own values and preferences tends to lead to the greatest level of employee (or intern!) satisfaction.
4. Polish your personal brand
When fall term rolls in, there is so much going on. To make sure the application process is as smooth as it can be, you’ll want to update your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile beforehand. Your goal is that each application you submit takes you less than a few hours, so it doesn’t fully take your time away from your classes or other activities.
5. Planning and creating your interview story bank.
The most preventable mistake in the recruiting process is candidates trying to think off-the-cuff in the interviews. Develop a collection of stories using WHO method (What you did, How you did it, and the Outcome you achieved). These stories showcase the most popular skills that employers look for. Remember, good interviews take preparation and practice!
Finally, Mohr Career Services is here to support you every step of the way. Book an appointment with our professional career advisors throughout the summer. Once the fall term starts, drop-in advising is another great way to get your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile polished for internship/job applications.
