<p>How exactly do you go about searching for a summer internship? Do you just visit random companies' websites and apply? My uni has this co-op system and we are pretty much on our own for this upcoming summer. (after that, then we can apply through school)</p>
<p>Is there any websites you guys recommend?</p>
<p>I would start by networking as much as possible - talk to your parents, your parents’ friends, etc. It is MUCH MUCH easier getting an internship once you have a ‘foot in the door.’ Even if these people don’t have anything available, maybe they know someone from work who is looking for an intern.</p>
<p>whoopsie, that is good advice, but as I’m sure you know, “networking” is a term that is thrown around without really being defined. It is very difficult to just start networking with people in positions of power within the industries you want before you know anything!</p>
<p>So one question to ask is whether your school has an online career services system. Most schools have one (including schools which directly help their students find co-ops), and it is essentially just a job listing board which companies use to recruit specific talent. I know that my school does this, and though about 300 positions are recruited through “on-campus recruiting,” another 2,000 are recruited through just a job listing post. You submit a resume, cover letter and transcript, and if they’re interested, they’ll talk to you.</p>
<p>If your school doesn’t have that available to you right now, no worries.</p>
<p>Companies look for interns differently depending on what their industry is and what their desire is. The big firms in the financial and consulting industries start searching in December and January, giving out offers in February, but these are usually for people entering their last undergraduate summer. If you will be a rising junior next summer, these companies aren’t looking to hire you as a summer associate since they know they can’t make a full time offer. That said, some companies DO look for summer associates earlier than your junior year. Check out the company, go to an information session on campus or at a nearby campus, and see what the deal is. If all else fails, ask the company directly (just look up the recruiters’ names and shoot them an email).</p>
<p>Most companies, however, don’t really start looking for interns until March or so. Here are a few options to consider (note: this is NOT an exhaustive list… just ideas that I got).</p>
<p>Talk to your parents and see if they know anybody in the industries you have interest in joining. See if they are willing to talk to those people or at least put you in touch with them (give you an email address or something), and then reach out, mentioning that you are looking for an internship. It could come to nothing, but it could also be a great opportunity.</p>
<p>Look at the websites of different companies you are interested in joining. When you find one that appeals to you, figure out if they have a process for applying for an internship. If they don’t, look for their recruiter/HR director and send him/her an email. In the body, include your interest in a summer internship (a couple sentences), and submit your resume and a cover letter as attachments.</p>
<p>If you are striking out, don’t get upset. MANY people don’t have internships, especially before their junior-to-senior summers! If you REALLY want an internship, keep looking. Feel free to use Craig’s List to find local jobs. Some of the Craig’s List jobs are shockingly lucrative, fun and good experience!</p>
<p>Also, look on job websites (I swear by Glassdoor.com) for information about companies that you are looking at. It isn’t as big a deal searching for internships as it is when searching for a career, but you will want to know that your company will value you both in a personal and a financial sense.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I know you said that the program that you’re in now places upperclassmen, but is there a minor or secondary program that you could join that might either place you or help you find an internship (maybe not in the same field as your major, but something still beneficial?)</p>
<p>Oh… and sometimes there are regional (government sponsored) programs that you can apply to.</p>