Summer Internships: Prep and Landing

Are you feeling like your internship clock is ticking? As a junior, I surely can relate. Most college students land their first internship in their junior year. However, sophomores can never be too early, and seniors never too late. There’s a different path for each Duke to follow, but no matter what the fearful internship doesn't have to be so terrible after all.

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Before Your Search

Jumping on Google and starting your search immediately is tempting when you’re feeling yourself under some pressure. But you can’t forget the preliminarily materials you need to be confident about before you get searching.

First and foremost: the resume. Your resume should be the most prideful single piece of paper that you have ever had. These words are often a quick judgment call for employers when comparing candidates for a position. This means that you need to make yourself stand out.

Resumes are something that a lot of us our prepped to write for ourselves. But for those who have never been taught to perfect their resume this is an extremely intimidating task. However, JMU, being the wonderful school that it is, makes resume stress seem brainless.

Career and Academic Planning, located on the 3rd floor of the Student Success Center, is ready to help. Trained peer advisors are always available during hours for walk-ins and by appointment to revise first draft resumes. Along with this, they hold regular resume workshops that you can find the specific dates and times of on their website. And the best of all: ResumePREP. This is a once a year workshop opportunity for students for get their resumes personally reviewed and advised by professional and experienced employer representatives. Getting your resume looked over by the people who judge them in real life…doesn't get much better than that. More information on events like these and more resume help options can be found on the CAP website.

Secondly: location. The place in which you choose to have your internship may be important to think about before you start your search. Many times, we see Dukes running to D.C. for their first work experiences, but you should weigh all your options here.

Are you from a town with a nearby city that’s easy for commuting? Or maybe, you’re feeling adventurous this summer and decide that a new city where you know no one and nothing about is going to be your challenge. Either way, you can make an internship opportunity more than just job experience. Considering to take yourself even further from your comfort zone and soaking up the adult life may be an chance to grow and learn about yourself all the while crushing that internship.

Get Your Search On

With your resume and desired location set, now you’re ready to get started. Most summer internships are searched and applied for in the early days of the spring semester, so you have all the time in the world to begin. This search can be a daunting process for a lot of students. However, in the age of technology, it just keeps getting easier. The amounts of search engine websites dedicated to filtering out internships that don't fit your requirements and perfectly exemplifying those that do are copious. A few of the most used and best rated are as follows:

• Internships.com

• Mediabistro.com

• Indeed.com

• Experience.com

And the list goes on. However, don't get yourself too overwhelmed in all the options. Instead, do some research in your job area of interest to find out which website might be best for you to use.

I’ve Got My List

Once you’ve finally found a handful of attractive internships that you’re interested in applying to, use websites like Glassdoor.com and LinkedIn.com to research the companies in which you’re interested. On these websites, you’ll be informed of ratings, interview tips and basic company information that may be extremely helpful for you to pick out the most fitting internship for you.

After you make your decisions and land your dream internship, be confident in the next steps into your future. Most importantly, Dukes, use your internship experience as an adventure. It's a challenge, but it’s a chance you’re lucky to have. Learn about which field is the right field for you or maybe which is wrong. No matter what, this is your chance to experience possibly your first taste of adulthood. Enjoy your productive summers, Dukes.

References:

http://www.jmu.edu/cap/