<p>I am a sophomore at Tulane University (in New Orleans) and I am looking for a business internship in the Boston area. My major is currently accounting and finance, but neither are set in stone. I've been going through the main job websites looking for an internship and sending in my resume wherever I see fit, but I just don't see any of that panning out. </p>
<p>I have a very strong GPA, currently a 3.81, although I have taken only a few business courses as I've mostly been filling my prerequisites. I'm beginning to wonder whether GPA even matters- granted I've only been applying for a week, but I just don't see businesses taking any particular interest. Does anyone have any advice on finding an internship, or perhaps using my GPA to draw more interest in hiring me for an internship?</p>
<p>Another problem I've been having is that after January 12th, I won't be available for an interview in Boston until early May.. will this be a big hurdle in finding an internship?</p>
<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks</p>
<p>Here’s a few notes: many (larger) businesses use internships exclusively for recruitment, so they only want juniors, seniors, and recent grads. That makes things significantly more competitive. Also, it’s great that you have a good GPA, but experience is just as important (granted, it’s the catch 22 of how do you get experience when you don’t have experience?)</p>
<p>Second, internship programs often take forever to get back to you. I got a well-paid nonprofit internship after my freshmen year–I didn’t get called for a phone interview until 3 months after I applied. If you’ve only been applying for a week–particularly during the holiday season–you’re definitely expecting too quick of a turn-around time.</p>
<p>Third, I got my last two internships without an in-person interview and most people won’t be available to interview in person for a summer internship. This shouldn’t be a hurdle.</p>
<p>One of the best source of summer internships is through your school’s Career Center/Services. There shall be job postings since the beginning of the Fall term for summer 2013 internships. My son had gotten three summer internships (he was a supply chaing management major in ASU) through the school’s Career Center. Another sugguestion is to broaden your geographic area of search. If you limit yourself to a particular city, chances of getting an internship will be lower than if you are willing to consider anywhere in the country.</p>
<p>GPA only matters to a certain point and is only looked at by the HR department. It’s mostly just used for screening applicants. As long as you have a 3.3+ GPA it shouldn’t really matter. However, it is excellent you have a 3.8 GPA. If it comes down to two applicants and if the experience level is the same, then that high GPA may give you the boost to get the job.</p>
<p>Now, you are a sophomore and it is going to be tougher for you to find internships. Most companies hire only juniors and seniors because they would like for their interns to be full-time after their internship. Keep applying to the big-name companies, you have a shot of getting an internship with such a high GPA. I’m assuming, at the least, you will get interviews. I was able to get an internship the summer after my sophomore year and it really gave me an advantage over other applicants. I had much more experience than them and it started benefiting me as soon as recruiting season started. If you don’t hear from the big-names move on to the smaller companies (maybe local?) and non-profits. </p>
<p>Don’t worry about being able to go to Boston for interviews. A lot of companies will just give you a phone interview. Do keep in mind that the company may want to fly you out if they really like you. I’ve had that happen to me a couple times. It started with a phone interview and by the end of the conversation they wanted me to fly out to their HQ and interview in person.</p>
<p>Lastly, brush up on your interview skills if you haven’t already. This is probably the hardest part during the whole process. One wrong answer and you’re most likely done. Also, I didn’t mention this but make sure your cover-letter and resume are excellent. If you don’t hear back from these companies it may be because your application wasn’t good.</p>
<p>I think you are unduly limiting your options by looking exclusively in Boston. Go to Tulane’s career services center as SOON as you get back on campus. Companies do recruitment in the spring, and even though you don’t appear to be a junior, it would be worthwhile to do some looking.</p>
<p>Big companies hire interns from all over the world, and when they relocate you, that means that they pay for you to relocate. You will find that many companies come to Tulane to interview on campus, and they ask the most qualified applicants to come to their headquarters in whatever city they are located… it’s actually really exciting to travel for interviews (who wouldn’t want to see a new city on a company’s dime!)</p>
<p>Of course I am limiting myself by wanting to stay in Boston, and when the time comes I am willing to relocate- but at this point in my life, I’m not in a situation where I’m able to be away from home for the summer. Unfortunately, that is my situation at the moment- junior year and senior year will hopefully be different. The only calls I’ve been getting are from accounting temp agencies and insurance sales companies, which are pretty much spam more than anything based on merit. I’ve applied to 10 companies so far- hopefully something will come of it. The problem with going to school in New Orleans is that most of Tulane’s connections are based in New Orleans- I’ve checked online and there are few opportunities in Boston. I appreciate the advice from everyone- if anyone else can help, please keep it coming.</p>