<p>How did you land the perfect internship? Did you do so by putting your professional network to work for you, networking at a career fair, utilizing your universities' career services department, or via an on-line application?</p>
<p>My vital stats: 3rd year chemE with 8 months experience in industrial pharmaceutical R&D and two publications. Currently struggling to find an internship for the summer of 2014 in a process engineering role. </p>
<p>I really treated it like it was a class. I spent hours researching companies for career day and made notes about 50 companies so I would have something to talk to them about. I made individual cover letters and spent a lot of time on my resume. I put a lot of trust in the career services department and it seemingly paid off. I basically did whatever they told me to do on the resume. For my first internship, I applied/talked to over 50 companies, got 18 interviews and offers. I’m a firm believer in talking to as many companies as possible. I went to “practice interviews” at the career services center to polish some of the standard responses. I memorized a quick “commercial” that I delivered to prospective employers at career day.</p>
<p>I have found (strictly an anecdote) that those people that struggle to find internships, especially well qualified candidates, are usually not put forth enough effort. It truly takes an amazing amount of work or an amazing amount of luck.</p>
<p>One tip I can offer:
When you e-mail or call the recruiters after you meet them try to give them a reason for your internship. Like you are doing a student design project and it would help your school win a national design project. Make them WANT to help you.</p>
<p>Definitely seek guidance from your campus career center. At this point you may need to expand beyond just process engineering internships. </p>
<p>The career fair/center and connections are your best bet. Also, be realistic where you are applying. It’s easy to apply to the big boys, such as Shell or Exxon, but those are the most competitive. They hire the best of the best with experience, which a lot of people don’t have. </p>
<p>I applied to the big companies my junior year but also applied to a lot of smaller firms (I’m a structural engineering major). I got lucky and landed an internship with an offshore oil and gas construction company. I found that company wasn’t for me and went back to the career fair the following year. I decided to go for my Masters and went to career fair looking for another internship. I got lots of job interviews and got three offers for internships in the fall and accepted an offer to my dream company and job for the following summer. Don’t just apply for the “biggest and best” jobs. Everyone applies for them and there’s a lot of good experience out their at smaller firms. You could find you like a smaller firm or you could just get really good experience. </p>
<p>Also, know your industry. I’m amazed how many students don’t really know what they want to do professionally. Have a good idea what the company does, what industry it’s in and what you could do there. </p>
<p>I would also advise trying to meet someone who can pull the leverages in person. Beats phone calls and especially emails.</p>
<p>I’ve been contacting my current and former professors asking about research positions, since I plan on sort of using them to justify to HR recruiters why they should hire me for internships or co-ops in the future.</p>
<p>If my professors can’t hire me, then I ask if they know anyone else that is looking for research assistants.</p>
<p>Being friendly to my professors, sitting in the front row, going to their office hours, and talking with them occasionally really helps out. Especially if there were some nasty/immature students in the back that keep trying to ruin their day (makes me look better).</p>
<p>I work part time at the university bookstore and they posted an internal position for a Supply Chain Management Intern last week.</p>
<p>When I looked at the posting, they clearly stated that the candidate must be pursuing a degree in SCM. I am studying Industrial Engineering but I applied anyways.</p>
<p>I know all my co-workers who are SCM majors and I kinda knew I would be better qualified because I am older, I have work experience, I have been a member of APICS for a while now and I was also very involved with our SCM Club last year. So, I kinda knew the odds were in my favor.</p>
<p>I spent a good hour writing what I call, an “effective” cover letter to the recruiter highlighting all my accomplishments related to SCM and I got an email from her today asking if I would like to come in for an interview tomorrow.</p>
<p>I hope I get it but even if I don’t, at least I am trying. Sometimes, it is luck, sometimes it is about being smart and targeting the right opportunities rather than just sending out hundred of resumes. </p>
<p>You need to apply early like Fall for summer internship. Read some of the internships on the company’s website.</p>
<p>Finding my first internship during Soph year was very difficult. </p>
<p>Basically, apply every where. </p>
<p>If you really care, add a cover letter (though I never did). </p>
<p>Don’t be afraid to call companies/plants and ask for “University Relations” or something like that within HR. Actually calling and showing initiative, instead of just waiting, is huge. </p>
<p>Keep track of all the contacts you make. These HR people could be huge for you when you look for an internship the next year or a full time job.</p>