How does one get an internship?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Hello. </p>

<p>I am getting worried about finding a job, because my internship search for next summer isn't going well. </p>

<p>I've applied online to as many companies as I could find in my area that have postings (10 or so). I've gotten my resume out to some neighbors who work in industry (they said they could do nothing, or to apply online). I went to the career fair and passed out as many resumes as I could. </p>

<p>I think I have a pretty good resume. I have work experience as a cable technician, I got a BA in History in 2.5 years, and I'm halfway through a degree in Electrical Engineering with a 3.75+ G.P.A. </p>

<p>I haven't heard anything back from anybody. Should I start calling HR at these places and give them a 30 second elevator speech or what? It looks like I'm going to have to go install cable again next summer. I'm getting depressed...</p>

2

<p>majority of summer internships won’t be found till spring semester</p>

3

<p>I would assume that not all companies did as my old company did, but here is their schedule:</p>

<ol>
<li>Collect resumes thru December</li>
<li>Review resumes and conduct phone interviews during January</li>
<li>Internship decisions made during February</li>
</ol>

<p>So, if any company is on a similar schedule, you won’t hear from them for a while yet. My old company would also be looking at those that have finished their junior year and above. So, “halfway” thru wouldn’t quite be enough. We would get so many resumes for internships that we could be picky (we were a large company with a well known name).</p>

4

<p>Why don’t you just get a job doing something history-related, since you already have a degree in that?</p>

5

<p>I suggest you keep on looking since most internships offer are later in the recruitment cycle and last till March or April next year. You shall also cast your net wide to include companies that are not local. My son’s last two summer internships are thousands of miles away from home.</p>

6

<p>This whole "passing out resum</p>

7

<p>I’m a third year EE and I was able to get an internship (part time for the school year continuing on as full time for the summer) just from asking around. A professor knew a project manager for a local company seeking student interns. The professor forwarded him my resume and I got a job. Just ask around. Professors know students are always searching for internships and research positions.</p>

8

<p>Most colleges - especially engineering colleges - have recruiter days and/or weeks. get in touch with your placement or co-op office.</p>

<p>Good Luck</p>

9

<p>only 10? try applying to at least 100 positions, then see how it goes. 10 is not enough, some companies don’t even get back to you.</p>

10

<p>What’s always worked for me is to apply to a company and be at least the nth best applicant, where the company is hiring n interns.</p>

11

<p>Applying online is a long shot imo. It is more important to attend Career Fair events at your school, talk to professors/recruiters, and build connections.</p>

12

<p>I agree with customizing resumes, I changed objective and job description slightly to highlight strengths for different types of jobs. Also try to use any family connections to get something even if it pays terribly or not at all. Experience is really important when starting out your career.</p>